By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 2
639 cal · 25 min
Za'atar Spice Blend
Recipe GLPRee448e379c7391
A traditional Middle Eastern herb and spice blend featuring toasted sesame seeds combined with tangy sumac and aromatic dried za'atar leaves. This versatile seasoning is perfect for sprinkling over hummus, flatbreads, salads, or vegetables. Nutty, herbaceous, and bright with a subtle citrus note, this blend delivers authentic flavor in moments.
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Ingredients
1 cup unhulled white sesame seeds
2 cups dried za'atar leaves, firmly packed
1 tablespoon ground sumac
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Heat an ungreased skillet over medium heat and add the sesame seeds in an even layer. Toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Do not allow them to brown. Transfer to a plate and let cool for a few minutes.
Place the cooled sesame seeds in a food processor and pulse 8–10 times until coarsely chopped but not ground into a paste.
Add the dried za'atar leaves and sumac to the processor and pulse together with the sesame seeds 6–8 times until evenly mixed but still textured.
Transfer the mixture to a clean, dry bowl and stir in the kosher salt until well distributed.
Store in an airtight container away from light and heat for up to 2 months for best flavor.
Comments
Za'atar leaves and sumac require a specialty trip to an international market or online order in Charlotte—neither Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Publix, Walmart, ALDI, nor Kroger regularly stock them. At roughly $8–12 per ounce for za'atar leaves and $6–10 for sumac, this homemade blend costs $15–25 per batch, which suits a household that builds on it over many meals rather than a one-off dinner. The 25-minute stated time assumes you already have the leaves; sourcing them resets the timeline to days. This is a pantry project, not a weeknight fix—ideal for someone committed to Middle Eastern cooking and willing to source ahead.
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