There’s just something about a secret recipe that drives people to extraordinary lengths to know its ingredients. Our Original Recipe of 11 Herbs and Spices is one of the most famous secret recipes in the world and we’re certainly aware of all the attempts to identify the exact recipe. Many people around the world have said they have found or made the recipe, and the most recent attempts were shown on TV in the UK this week.
Snackmasters, hosted by Fred Sirieix (a popular local TV personality) on Channel 4, challenges Britain’s top chefs to try to work out the secret techniques and recipes behind some of Britain’s best-loved snacks, before creating their own replica. It was only a matter of time before KFC and our secret recipe were talked about with that premise.
Tom Aikens from Muse in Belgravia, who is the youngest chef to ever receive two Michelin stars, and Alex Bond from Nottingham’s famous Alchemilla went up against the Colonel to try to find our hard-to-find mix of the 11 Herbs. The verdict? Well, given both Tom and Alex are Top Chefs, we’re sure their imitation recipes were delicious. Were they Original Recipe delicious though? Doubtful. In case you’re interested in taking a stab yourself, here is what they each came up with:
Kentucky Fried Chicken’s famous secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices has been closely guarded for decades. As a lover of fried chicken, I’ve always been fascinated by the mysterious blend of seasonings that makes KFC taste so finger-lickin’ good!
Let’s go over everything we know about the top-secret list of ingredients that go into making Colonel’s Original Recipe chicken. Get ready to learn how to make one of the most famous fast food recipes in the world!
A Brief History of The Colonel’s Secret Recipe
In 1930, Harland Sanders opened a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky, that was famous for its fried chicken. This is where the story starts. It took 30 minutes to fry the chicken in a pan at the time, so Sanders started to play around with pressure cookers to cut down on the time it took to cook.
Sanders had perfected his mix of 11 herbs and spices by 1940, and he started selling restaurants “Kentucky Fried Chicken.” To keep the recipe a secret, he gave restaurants spices that were already mixed together.
Since then, the recipe has been kept secret in a vault at KFC, Two suppliers know half of the recipe each, but no one knows the whole list! Isn’t that crazy?
What We Know About the 11 Secret Ingredients
While the full recipe remains a mystery, a few clues have leaked out over the years:
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Sanders once said the ingredients “stand on everybody’s shelf.” Common household spices seem to be part of the blend!
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Chef Todd Wilbur claimed to have cracked the code. He listed the spices as salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ginger, and white pepper.
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A former Sanders friend hinted that tellicherry black pepper is key.
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One recipe online also includes baking powder as an ingredient to help achieve KFC’s signature crispy coating.
So while we don’t know the exact measurements, it seems the secret blend includes common spices like black pepper, thyme, oregano and garlic. Clever Colonel!
Why Keep The Recipe Secret?
You may be wondering why KFC keeps their signature recipe under lock and key. Well, a few reasons:
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It’s brilliant marketing! The mystery creates hype and keeps customers guessing.
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As a trade secret, the recipe doesn’t expire like a patent would. KFC can legally protect it indefinitely.
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The secret formula helps differentiate KFC from competitors. No one can copy their signature flavor!
So while we may never know the exact recipe, keeping it secret has been a smart business move for KFC. After all, everyone loves a good mystery!
Replicating That Signature KFC Flavor
While we can’t replicate the exact blend of 11 herbs and spices, home cooks have come up with ways to achieve similar flavors:
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Soak chicken in buttermilk overnight before dredging in flour seasoned with black pepper, thyme, oregano and paprika.
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Fry in oil around 350°F to get an extra crispy coating.
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Flavor the flour with onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt and cayenne for a spicy kick.
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For a quick weeknight dinner, broil chicken seasoned with a basic blend of salt, pepper, paprika and parsley.
With some experimentation at home, you can absolutely come close to mimicking the Colonel’s famous flavor. Get creative with your own herb and spice combinations!
The Secret’s Out!
While we may never know the exact measurements, we’ve uncovered quite a bit about the legendary 11 herbs and spices recipe. From clever marketing ploy to finger-lickin’ flavor, KFC’s secret recipe has made the chain famous across the globe. By following a few tricks using common household spices, we can come pretty close to replicating the Colonel’s signature flavors.
TOM AIKEN’S KFC INSPIRED CHICKEN RECIPE
- Salt
- Dried thyme leaves
- Dried basil leaves
- Dried oregano leaves
- Ground white pepper
- Chicken pieces of your choice
- Celery salt
- Black pepper
- Dried mustard
- Paprika
- Garlic salt
- Ground ginger
- Flour
- Dip chicken in salt water brine initially. The brine holds the flour together and packs the flavors in.
- Cover the drumsticks with the egg wash and buttermilk.
- Warm the oil to 175 degrees Celsius and fry small amounts of food for about 15 minutes.
► KFC’s Secret Recipe of 11 Herbs & Spices Finally Revealed? Homemade Kentucky Fried Chicken!
FAQ
Where is the secret recipe for the KFC chicken?
Recipes. Sanders has signed a copy of the recipe, which is kept in a vault at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, along with 11 vials that each hold one of the ingredients.
What is KFC chicken coating made of?
KFC’s chicken coating is mostly made up of flour, salt, and 11 different herbs and spices. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but it’s known to include items like black pepper, white pepper, paprika, and dried mustard.
What are the 11 ingredients in Kentucky Fried Chicken?
Kentucky Air Fried Chicken; 11 secret herbs and spices, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Black Pepper, 2 tsp White Pepper, 1 tsp Celery Salt, 1 tsp Dried Basil, 1 tsp Dried Thyme, 2 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Dried Oregano, 1 tsp Mustard Powder, 1 tbsp Paprika, 1 tsp Powdered Ginger, 1 tbsp Baking Powder.