What Is Ras el Hanout? A Guide to the Moroccan Spice Blend and How to Use It
Quick answer: Ras el hanout is a North African spice blend whose name means 'head of the shop,' meaning the best spices a seller has to offer. There is no single recipe, but it is typically warm and aromatic, and it is used in tagines, couscous, rubs and roasted vegetables.
Key facts
- Origin: Morocco and wider North Africa.
- Flavor: warm, floral and lightly sweet, with gentle heat in some blends.
- Ingredients vary: check the label of the blend you buy.
How do you use it?
- Tagine or stew. Add a teaspoon or two with the onions.
- Couscous. Stir a pinch into the cooking liquid for fine couscous. See how to cook couscous.
- Rub. Mix with oil and salt and coat chicken, lamb or cauliflower before roasting.
- Roasted vegetables. Toss carrots or squash with oil and a spoonful of the blend.
Try Tayeb Ras el Hanout. For more ideas, read the Moroccan spice cabinet and our chicken marinade.
The 2026 food-trend angle
Supermarket Perimeter's December 2025 issue describes Middle Eastern, North African and Levantine cuisines as rising flavors on US menus, and names ingredients such as harissa and za'atar. The article gives no percentage figures. Ras el hanout fits the same warm, spiced flavor family.
How to store it
Keep the jar tightly closed, away from heat and light. Ground spices lose aroma over time, so use within a year or so for best flavor.
Sources
Updated November 2026.