Coriander, Fennel and Garlic Seasoning (CFG) blend. My favorite spice blend for fish, chicken, and vegetables. Coriander, fennel, and garlic make for a bright and versatile addition to any meal. Store these whole spices in your grinder and you’ll always have a fresh, pre-ground, aromatic punch.
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I like to keep seasoning blends in my pantry for ready-to-use flavors to add to meals. This blend, which pairs well with fish and poultry, combines coriander, fennel, and garlic with salt and pepper. I prefer Salt Pepper & Garlic (SPG) seasoning or all-purpose seasoning for beef (especially SPG and steak), but this CFG seasoning is good for almost everything else, especially vegetables.
Device
A spice grinder for whole grain spices (I like Kuhn Rikon’s vase grinder), or a jar with a shaker lid for pre-grinding. Funnel (to keep the spices contained when adding them to the grinder or shaker jar)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutes
Different Spices: If you want to use other spices, feel free to proceed. But I especially like this combination. A good alternative is to use cumin seeds instead of fennel seeds. Cumin and coriander go well together. I’m researching different spice blends for that combination.
Add spiciness: If you want to add some spicy heat to this condiment, add a tablespoon (or two) of crushed red pepper flakes along with the spices.
Should I toast my spices? Spices for seasoning blends are not toasted. This is because toasting will cause it to lose its flavor faster. I leave the spices uncooked because I want to keep this seasoning blend in my pantry.
Can I use kosher salt in place of coarse sea salt? Kosher salt doesn’t work as well in the grinder as coarse salt, so we don’t recommend it. (Kosher salt has flaky crystals and doesn’t grind as evenly as large chunks of coarse salt.) That said, if you need it, measure out 65g of kosher salt instead of 1/4 cup of coarse sea salt.
Can I make salt-free coriander fennel and garlic seasoning? Absolutely! Just skip the salt. (This is for Uncle Warren or anyone on a low-salt diet. Or when you’re brining or dry brining and want to separate the saltiness from the seasoning.)
See photos of how to make coriander, fennel, and garlic seasoning
mix the seasonings
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until completely combined. Store in an airtight container (for pre-ground spices) or in a spice grinder (for whole grain spice versions).
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Coriander Fennel and Garlic Seasoning Blend Recipe
author: Mike Vrobel
Total time: 5 minutes
yield: 1/2 cup seasoning blend 1×
explanation
Coriander, Fennel and Garlic Seasoning (CFG). My favorite spice blend for fish, chicken, and vegetables. Coriander, fennel, and garlic make for a bright and versatile addition to any meal. Store these whole spices in your grinder and you’ll always have a fresh, pre-ground, aromatic punch.
Pre-grind for shaker
4 tablespoons (65g) fine sea salt (or 3 tablespoons/65g salt)
1 tablespoon (5g)coriander
1 tablespoon (5g) crushed fennel seeds
1 tablespoon (5g) garlic powder
1 tablespoon (5g) freshly ground black pepper
Whole grain flour for grinder
1/4 cup (65g) coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon (5g) coriander seeds
1 tablespoon (5g) fennel seeds
1 tablespoon (5g) dried minced garlic
1 tablespoon (5g) peppercorn blend (or black peppercorn)
Instructions
Mix the seasonings: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. If pre-ground, store in an airtight container (preferably a shaker jar with an airtight lid) for up to 1 year. The whole grain version will keep for years in a spice grinder.
Preparation time: 5 minutesCooking time: 0 minutes
nutrition
Serving Size: 1/4 teaspoon
calorie: 1
sugar: 0g
sodium: 262.6mg
fat: 0g
carbohydrates: 0.1g
fiber: 0g
protein: 0g
cholesterol: 0mg
How to store coriander, fennel and garlic seasoning
Made with ground spices and stored in an airtight container, it will keep for up to a year before losing its flavor. The grinder version can be stored even longer than that. Salt and pepper last a long time. Coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and minced garlic lose their flavor over time, but they keep better than ground garlic powder or onion powder. It will keep for at least 2 years, probably longer, before it loses much of its flavor.
What should I season with coriander, fennel, and garlic seasoning?
Perfect with seafood. My favorite grilled salmon recipe, Grilled Salmon with Coriander and Fennel Spices, is made ahead of time, but any seafood will work. It also goes well with chicken. I made chicken thighs the other day, and in the past I’ve also used boneless skinless breasts and thighs. (Alternatively, you can brine a whole chicken, season it the day before, and store it in the refrigerator for a great roast chicken.)
It also goes well with pork chops and pork tenderloin.
I’ve used it on vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, and broccoli, but it goes particularly well with carrots. It’s a very versatile seasoning.
FAQ
Why use a spice grinder for coriander, fennel, and garlic seasoning?
This is the same question as “Why use a pepper grinder?” Because the answer is: Spices like peppercorns taste much better when freshly ground. (Most of my recipes recommend freshly ground black pepper.) Coriander, fennel, and peppercorns have more flavor when freshly ground, so I store CFG seasoning in a spice grinder.
How can I check the amount of ground coriander, fennel, and garlic seasoning?
I see it. I usually use CFG seasoning if I don’t measure carefully. If it seems to have enough flavor, it’s okay. That being said, I also measured the grinding speed of my favorite Kuhn Rikon Vase grinder. I measured 30 grinds to get 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning, so if you need a specific amount, count as you grind.
Related articles
Looking for an extra kick? For a similar seasoning blend, try Salt Pepper Garlic (SPG) Seasoning or All Purpose Seasoning. For a more specific flavor profile, try our Cajun Rub recipe, Szechuan Roasted Pepper Salt, or, for barbecue, our Homemade Barbecue Rub.
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