ras el hanout
noun
ras el ha·nout
ˌräs-ˌel-hə-ˈnüt 
variants
or less commonly ras-el-hanout
: a mixture of ground spices that is used in northern African cooking and includes coriander, ginger, turmeric, peppercorns, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne pepper, and other spices
… just like curry powder, there is no single recipe for ras el hanout. You might even say that's its whole point.—
Mourad Lahlou
Mourad LahlouNargisse Benkabou's recipe combines lamb shanks with a syrupy sauce of honey and raisins, seasoned with saffron and ras el hanout.—The New York Times
The New York TimesThis is a pure North African dish of lamb marinated in ras-el-hanout (a medley of spices) …—Kaleel Sakakeeny
Kaleel SakakeenyExamples of ras el hanout in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each bite is perfumed with heady cinnamon, floral vanilla, and earthy ras el hanout.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
In this version, marinate thighs and drumsticks in saffron, mint, and ras el hanout—a blend of cinnamon, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper—then simmer them with olives and preserved lemons for pops of flavor.
—Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Purchasing a jar of prepared ras el hanout is an easy shortcut to build deep flavor in this stew.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Hunks of squash add a sweet earthiness to the vibrant notes of ras el hanout, a complex and aromatic spice blend available in many supermarkets.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The luxe truffles veer culinary, with African spice blends such as a cumin-and-Christmas-spiced ras el hanout that's more often found in savory dishes from North Africa.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 1 Feb. 2026
The smells of spices and flowers—rose, neroli, mint (mint and more mint tea!), ras el hanout, cumin, saffron, paprika, coriander—and the flavors: sweet apricots, dates, walnuts, sesame desserts and, of course, oysters!
—Alysia Reiner, Flow Space, 4 Sep. 2025
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The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
In this version, marinate thighs and drumsticks in saffron, mint, and ras el hanout—a blend of cinnamon, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper—then simmer them with olives and preserved lemons for pops of flavor.
—Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Purchasing a jar of prepared ras el hanout is an easy shortcut to build deep flavor in this stew.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Hunks of squash add a sweet earthiness to the vibrant notes of ras el hanout, a complex and aromatic spice blend available in many supermarkets.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The luxe truffles veer culinary, with African spice blends such as a cumin-and-Christmas-spiced ras el hanout that's more often found in savory dishes from North Africa.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 1 Feb. 2026
The smells of spices and flowers—rose, neroli, mint (mint and more mint tea!), ras el hanout, cumin, saffron, paprika, coriander—and the flavors: sweet apricots, dates, walnuts, sesame desserts and, of course, oysters!
—Alysia Reiner, Flow Space, 4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ras el hanout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ras%20el%20hanout. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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