Brian Nagele
If you’ve ever had KFC chicken, you’ve definitely wondered what special herbs and spices are used to make it so tasty. One of the most jealously guarded trade secrets in the culinary industry is the formula for the renowned KFC chicken. However, some knowledge regarding the herbs and spices used to create the special flavor of KFC chicken has slipped over time.
So how many different herbs and spices are there in KFC’s special recipe?
Although the specific ingredients are still kept a tightly guarded secret, it is thought to have a combination of 11 different herbs and spices.
These consist of celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper in addition to salt, thyme, basil, oregano, and basil.
The precise quantities of each ingredient are a closely-kept secret, but they all play a significant part in the flavor character of KFC’s chicken.
History of KFC’s Secret Recipe
You may be aware that KFC’s special formula calls for 11 different herbs and spices, but did you also know that this recipe has been kept a secret for many years?
Colonel Harland Sanders created the recipe in the 1930s, and it has been a mainstay of the KFC menu ever since.
Wikipedia claims that Sanders valued the recipe so highly that he would personally blend the herbs and spices before sending them in airtight packets to KFC locations.
Even his own family members were spared the recipe, receiving pre-mixed packets of seasoning instead.
What exactly is in the blend of herbs and spices has been the subject of several legends and theories over the years.
In an interview with Joe Ledington for the Chicago Tribune in 2016, Colonel Sanders’ nephew claimed to have discovered what he thought to be the original KFC recipe in his aunt’s belongings: a handwritten recipe.
There were 11 herbs and spices in the dish, such as paprika, sage, and garlic salt.
Ledington made certain claims, but KFC has never verified the precise components of its top-secret formula.
In fact, the business has gone to tremendous pains to protect the formula, even using a Brink’s armored truck and a briefcase labeled “Top Secret” to deliver it to a safe place.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that the precise ingredients in KFC’s secret recipe are still unknown, it is obvious that the formula has had a significant role in the company’s success for many years.
There is no doubting the influence Colonel Sanders and his top-secret recipe have had on the fast food business, whether or not you like his famed fried chicken.
List of Known Herbs and Spices in KFC
If you’ve ever wondered why KFC’s fried chicken is so good, it’s because their recipe uses 11 different herbs and spices.
The recipe was created by Colonel Sanders in 1939, and ever since then, it has been kept a closely-kept secret.
There are a few well-known herbs and spices that are utilized in the mixture, even though KFC has never publicly disclosed the actual recipe.
11 herbs and spices, including salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dry mustard, paprika, garlic salt, crushed ginger, and white pepper, are said to be used in KFC’s recipe.
Although the precise ratios of each component are unknown, it is generally accepted that paprika is used most frequently, then white pepper, celery salt, and garlic salt.
The distinctive flavor of KFC is a result of the crucial significance that each component plays. Thyme and basil, for instance, offer a light herbal aroma, and paprika and oregano add a touch of heat.
Black pepper and white pepper add spice, while celery salt, garlic salt, and garlic powder give the chicken a delicious, umami flavor.
The taste profile is completed by ground ginger and dried mustard, which add a warm and tangy undertone.
Many home cooks have tried to replicate KFC’s renowned fried chicken, yet the actual recipe is still a trade secret.
A comparable flavor can be produced at home by experimenting with various ratios of the well-known herbs and spices. But it’s doubtful that anyone will ever be able to duplicate the precise KFC formula.
Herbs and Spices: An Analysis
You’re interested in learning the 11 herbs and spices used in KFC’s secret recipe.
Even though there have been suspicions concerning the ingredients, the recipe is still a closely-kept secret. However, some efforts have been made to study the well-known concoction.
A copy of the recipe was allegedly discovered by a Chicago Tribune reporter in a scrapbook that belonged to Colonel Sanders’ nephew in 2016.
Salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, crushed ginger, and white pepper were among the 11 herbs and spices used in the dish.
The actual recipe’s authenticity has been disputed by KFC, therefore it is still a mystery. The business has actually gone to tremendous measures to protect the recipe’s secrecy.
The herbs and spices are combined in two different places, and the recipe is kept in a safe that is allegedly watched over by security personnel around-the-clock.
There have been efforts to evaluate KFC’s renowned blend despite the recipe’s secrecy. A University of Western Ontario researcher tried to find the recipe in 2013 using statistical analysis.
The study examined the KFC chicken’s nutritional data as well as the components mentioned on the business’s website.
Thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, and dried mustard were discovered to be the most probable herbs and spices to be combined.
Even though we may never learn the exact blend of the 11 herbs and spices used by KFC, it is certain that the combination has been crucial to the success of the business.
For more than 80 years, KFC has been delivering its renowned fried chicken, but the recipe is still strictly guarded.
There is no disputing the appeal of KFC’s distinctive blend of herbs and spices, whether you prefer the Colonel’s original recipe or a spicy variation.
The Role of Herbs and Spices in KFC’s Flavor
The 11 herbs and spices used by KFC are a key component of the chain’s distinctive flavor.
These components work together to provide a distinct flavor that distinguishes KFC’s fried chicken from that of other fast-food restaurants.
The eleven herbs and spices used by KFC include salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dry mustard, paprika, garlic salt, crushed ginger, and white pepper, according to Insanely Good Recipes.
Each component contributes significantly to the overall flavor of the chicken.
The most common ingredients are paprika, celery salt, white pepper, and garlic salt.
Another essential component is salt, which enhances the flavors of the other herbs and spices.
Oregano lends a somewhat bitter flavor, while thyme and basil add a faint herbaceous touch. A small amount of heat and tanginess are added to the mixture by ground ginger and dried mustard.
These components work together to provide a balanced flavor that is both savory and slightly sweet.
In addition to giving the chicken a crispy coating, the herbs and spices also give texture to the dish.
Although KFC has long kept its specific herb and spice blend a carefully guarded secret, the chain’s dedication to employing high-quality ingredients and a standardized cooking method has managed to preserve the beloved flavor that its patrons have grown to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many herbs and spices are in KFC’s Original Recipe?
According to KFC, the recipe for its Original Recipe chicken includes a blend of 11 herbs and spices. While the exact proportions of each ingredient are a closely guarded secret, the company has confirmed that the blend includes salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper.
What makes KFC’s Original Recipe chicken so tasty?
KFC’s Original Recipe chicken is famous for its unique, savory flavor. The blend of 11 herbs and spices is a key factor in creating that flavor, but the cooking process also plays a role. The chicken is pressure-cooked in a special fryer, which helps lock in moisture and create a crispy crust. Additionally, the chicken is marinated in buttermilk before it’s breaded and fried, which helps tenderize the meat and add flavor.
Can you make KFC’s Original Recipe chicken at home?
While KFC has never released the exact recipe for its Original Recipe chicken, there are plenty of copycat recipes out there that claim to come close. Some of these recipes use a blend of 11 herbs and spices similar to KFC’s, while others use different ingredients altogether. If you’re interested in trying to make KFC-style chicken at home, you can experiment with different recipes until you find one that suits your taste.
Does KFC use MSG in its Original Recipe chicken?
KFC has stated that its Original Recipe chicken does not contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer that is sometimes used in processed foods. However, some of the other menu items at KFC do contain MSG, so if you’re sensitive to this ingredient, it’s a good idea to check the ingredients list before ordering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 11 herbs and spices are used in KFC’s world-famous fried chicken recipe.
Even though the precise ingredients are well held secrets, we do know some of the components of this delectable mixture.
Salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, crushed ginger, and white pepper are among KFC’s 11 herbs and spices, according to Allrecipes.
The distinctive flavor of KFC is a result of many different ingredients working together. For instance, paprika is used most frequently, then white pepper, celery salt, and garlic salt.
These herbs and spices work together to provide a special flavor that many people adore.
It’s important to note that the recipe has undergone several changes over time.
Wikipedia claims that Colonel Sanders advised franchisees to use a seasoning blend from Marion-Kay Spices rather than the corporate version because he thought the latter had been compromised due to the corporation’s negligence.
KFC’s 11 herbs and spices have been a mainstay of the recipe since 1939, despite the modifications.
The mixture is now so well-known that many people have tried to make it at home, with different degrees of success. The actual recipe, however, is still a closely-guarded secret, known to only a few.
Why did KFC discontinue the healthy “grilled chicken”? It was so popular they were always out of it. I think it was the best thing they ever did and because of the grilled chicken I was a weekly or more regular. Sadly not anymore. Thanks, V