Homemade Piri Piri Spice Mix a Fiery & Flavorful DIY Seasoning Blend

Make your own bold and spicy Piri Piri spice mix at home! A flavorful seasoning blend perfect for chicken, seafood, veggies, and marinades. Homemade Piri Piri Spice Mix is a fiery, flavorful blend that brings the bold heat of African-Portuguese cuisine straight to your kitchen. This vibrant mix combines smoky paprika, chili flakes, garlic powder, and herbs to create a dynamic seasoning perfect for grilled chicken, seafood, roasted vegetables, or marinades. Making your own spice blend means no additives, just pure, punchy flavor that you can customize to your heat preference. Store it in a jar and spice up your meals any day of the week!

Nothing beats homemade spice blends when it comes to getting the freshest ingredients. Piri Piri spice is a blend of both spices and herbs to create the perfect combination for spices that can be used as dry rubs or even in making sauces. The original recipe calls for mixing crushed chillies, basil, citrus peel, tarragon, onion, oregano, peppers, pimiento, garlic, lemon juice, salt and bay leaves. The main ingredient is usually the pili pili also known as 'bird's eye chili' in Swahili we say Pili Pili which literally translates to "pepper pepper" Piri Piri spice mix is hot yet aromatic and gives food an extra touch of exotic flavours. 

Mostly used in African and Portuguese cuisines, this spice blend can be used for making dishes such as piri piri chicken that totally delicious! Rubbed on stake or used for marinating the stake before grilling. Its a vibrant spice mix that is versatile and can be used however you feel your cooking juices will take you.
INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Cardamom
1 Teaspoon Ginger Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

METHOD

Add salt to bowl

Add garlic powder

Add cardamom powder

Add paprika

Add ginger powder

Add oregano

Add cayenne pepper

I love how vibrant the colors are

Perfection right there

Mix the spices with a fork until there are no lumps and they are evenly combined 

Spice blends are perfect for adding vibrancy and flavour to any meal making it easier to add to food that adding individual portions

Pour the piri piri spice mix in a jar with an airtight lid. Store for several months away from sunlight or any moisture

HOMEMADE PIRI PIRI SPICE MIX

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 05 Minutes
Cook time: 00 Minutes
Total time: 05 Minutes
Yield: 1/2 Jar
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Oregano
• 1 Teaspoon Cardamom
• 1 Teaspoon Ginger Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Cooking Directions

1. Add Paprika, Oregano, Cardamom, Ginger Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Powder and Salt in a medium bowl
2. Whisk until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated
3. Store in jar with airtight lid if not using immediately

Here are 20 exciting recipe ideas using Piri Piri spice—perfect for adding heat, smokiness, and bold flavor to your meals:

Meat & Poultry

1. Piri Piri Grilled Chicken – Rub chicken thighs or wings with spice + oil, then grill.

2. Piri Piri Chicken Skewers – Thread marinated chicken on skewers with peppers and onions.

3. Piri Piri Chicken Burger – Pan-sear or grill chicken breast, top with slaw or aioli.

4. Baked Piri Piri Drumsticks – Coat in oil + spice, bake until crispy.

5. Piri Piri Meatballs – Add to ground beef or lamb, bake or simmer in spicy tomato sauce.

Beef, Lamb & Pork

6. Piri Piri Steak – Rub spice onto flank or sirloin before searing or grilling.

7. Piri Piri Ribs – Season ribs, slow cook, and finish under the broiler.

8. Piri Piri Pork Chops – Marinate in spice + lemon juice, grill or pan-sear.

9. Lamb Koftas with Piri Piri – Mix into minced lamb and form into skewers.

10. Piri Piri Tacos – Season beef or pork strips for spicy, smoky taco filling.

Seafood

11. Piri Piri Grilled Shrimp – Toss in spice + olive oil and grill quickly.

12. Piri Piri Salmon Fillet – Roast or pan-sear with a light spice crust.

13. Piri Piri Fish Tacos – Use white fish (tilapia, cod), serve in tortillas with slaw.

14. Piri Piri Seafood Skillet – Mix shrimp, squid, or scallops in a spicy garlic oil.

Vegetarian & Vegan

15. Piri Piri Roasted Cauliflower – Toss in oil + spice, roast until crispy.

16. Grilled Piri Piri Tofu – Marinate tofu slices, grill or pan-fry.

17. Piri Piri Veggie Stir-Fry – Stir-fry bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms with spice.

18. Spicy Chickpea Bowl – Sauté chickpeas with piri piri spice, serve over rice or salad.

19. Piri Piri Sweet Potato Fries – Toss fries in olive oil + spice mix before baking.

Snacks & Sides

20. Piri Piri Popcorn – Mix melted butter or oil with spice and drizzle over hot popcorn.

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Homemade Piri Piri Spice Mix: FAQs

What is Piri Piri spice mix?
Piri Piri spice mix is a vibrant, flavorful blend originating from Portuguese and African cuisine, typically featuring chili peppers, garlic, paprika, and herbs. It’s widely used to marinate and season meats, especially chicken, providing a spicy, smoky, and aromatic flavor.

Can I adjust the heat level of the Piri Piri spice mix?
Absolutely. The heat mainly comes from chili peppers, so you can increase or decrease the amount and type of chili to suit your preferred spice level. Using milder chilies will reduce the heat, while adding hotter varieties or more chili flakes will intensify it.

How should I store the spice mix?
Store the Piri Piri spice mix in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Kept in a cool, dry place, it will retain its flavor and potency for up to 6 months.

Is this spice mix suitable for all diets?
Yes, Piri Piri spice mix is naturally gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free, making it suitable for most diets. Just be mindful when pairing it with other ingredients if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Can I use this mix in recipes other than chicken?
Definitely! While it’s famous for chicken, Piri Piri spice mix works well with seafood, vegetables, tofu, and even in stews or sauces to add a spicy kick.

How much spice mix should I use when marinating?
A typical guideline is about 1 to 2 tablespoons of spice mix per pound of protein or vegetables, but this can be adjusted depending on taste preferences.

Printable Nutrition Card (Per 1 tsp Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	~5 kcal	Minimal calories per serving
Carbohydrates	~1 g	Mostly from dried spices
Protein	~0.2 g	Trace amounts
Fat	~0 g	Negligible fat content
Fiber	~0.5 g	From chili and herbs
Sodium	Varies	Depends on salt added

Note: Nutrition values may vary depending on specific ingredients used.

Dietary Information

Diet Type	Suitable?	Notes
Vegan	✅ Yes	No animal products
Vegetarian	✅ Yes	Plant-based ingredients only
Gluten-Free	✅ Yes	Naturally gluten-free
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	No dairy
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	No nuts included
Keto-Friendly	✅ Yes	Very low carb and calorie
Paleo-Friendly	✅ Yes	Contains natural spices

Tip: Use fresh chili varieties or dried chili flakes for best flavor and adjust to your spice tolerance.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.