Best Ras el Hanout in the UK (2026)

Ras el hanout is a North African spice blend that can give tagines, couscous, roasted vegetables, chicken and lamb a complex flavour without requiring a cupboard full of individual spices. Recipes vary widely, so choosing a good blend is less about finding one supposedly definitive formula and more about matching the seasoning to the way you cook.

For UK shoppers, the main decisions are pack size, intensity, whether you want a familiar grocery-brand format or a smaller specialist blend, and how quickly you are likely to use it.

Quick picks

• Best overall: Spice Cartel Ras El Hanout 35g
• Best for frequent cooking: Spice Cartel Ras El Hanout 100g
• Best multipack: Bart Ras El Hanout Spice Blend

How we judged these ras el hanout blends

• Category fit: each recommendation needed to be sold specifically as ras el hanout rather than simply Moroccan seasoning.
• Cooking versatility: a useful blend should work in tagines, couscous, rice, vegetables and meat dishes.
• Pack format: smaller packs suit experimentation, while larger packs suit regular batch cooking.
• Ease of dosing: the blend should be easy to add gradually so the seasoning does not dominate the finished dish.
• Storage practicality: resealable packs or jars are preferable when a spice blend will be used over several months.
• UK shopping relevance: we prioritised products offered through UK-focused retail listings.

Ranked picks

1. Spice Cartel Ras El Hanout Spice Blend 35g

Best for: trying ras el hanout without committing to a large pack.

This 35g pouch is a practical starting size for a seasoning that may not yet be part of your regular cooking routine. It is positioned specifically for Moroccan-style dishes and tagines, keeping it closely matched to the intended use of ras el hanout.

• The small pouch is easy to finish before it spends too long in the spice cupboard.
• It suits tagines and other slow-cooked dishes where a blended seasoning simplifies preparation.
• The resealable format helps keep the remaining mixture contained between uses.

Trade-off: regular users may find a 35g pouch disappears quickly.

How to use: begin with a modest amount in a stew or tagine, then adjust during cooking according to the strength of the particular blend.

Substitution: move to the larger Spice Cartel pouch if you like the style but need a more practical quantity.

2. Spice Cartel Ras El Hanout Spice Blend 100g

Best for: regular tagine, couscous and roasted-vegetable cooking.

The 100g version provides the same basic convenience in a pack size that better suits repeated cooking. It is a sensible middle ground between a small trial pouch and buying several jars at once.

• The larger quantity suits households that use ras el hanout several times a month.
• A resealable pouch is convenient for spooning seasoning directly into marinades, stews and couscous.
• The blend can cover several uses rather than being reserved only for tagines.

Trade-off: a larger pouch is unnecessary if you only make North African-style dishes occasionally.

How to use: try it with roasted carrots, squash or cauliflower as well as meat dishes, where the blend can provide warmth without requiring several individual spice jars.

Substitution: the 35g version is the lower-commitment alternative.

3. Bart Ras El Hanout Spice Blend Multipack

Best for: households that prefer individual spice jars and want several packs at once.

Bart’s ras el hanout is supplied here as a multipack of 35g jars. That format is useful for shoppers who prefer a conventional spice-jar setup rather than keeping a larger flexible pouch in the cupboard.

• Individual jars are convenient for everyday cupboard storage.
• The multipack suits regular users or households buying several jars together.
• The seasoning is intended for dishes such as lamb, chicken and Moroccan-inspired cooking.

Trade-off: six jars are excessive for someone simply experimenting with ras el hanout for the first time.

How to use: add to slow-cooked meat or vegetable dishes, or combine a small amount with oil before coating vegetables for roasting.

Substitution: choose a single small pouch if you want less cupboard commitment.

How to choose ras el hanout

Do not expect every jar of ras el hanout to taste identical. The name covers a family of North African spice mixtures, and recipes can contain different combinations and proportions of warming, aromatic and peppery spices.

For a first purchase, a 30g to 50g pack is sensible. It gives you enough seasoning for several meals without committing to a large quantity before you know how frequently you will use it.

If tagines, couscous bowls and roasted vegetables are regular meals in your household, a 100g pouch can be more convenient. Multipacks make most sense when you already know you like the particular blend.

FAQs

What is ras el hanout?

It is a North African spice blend particularly associated with Moroccan cooking. Recipes vary substantially between producers.

What can I cook with ras el hanout?

It works well in tagines, couscous, rice, lentils, roasted vegetables and seasoned meat dishes.

Is ras el hanout the same as Moroccan seasoning?

Not necessarily. Some products labelled Moroccan seasoning may have their own recipe, so check whether the pack is specifically described as ras el hanout if that is what your recipe calls for.

How much ras el hanout should I buy?

A small jar or pouch is usually enough for occasional cooking. A 100g pack is more practical if it is becoming a regular cupboard seasoning.

Can I use ras el hanout on vegetables?

Yes. It is particularly easy to use with vegetables destined for roasting because the blend can be mixed with a little oil before cooking.

Conclusion

Spice Cartel’s 35g Ras El Hanout is the simplest starting point if you are exploring the seasoning. The 100g pouch is better for regular use, while the Bart multipack suits shoppers who already use ras el hanout frequently and prefer spice jars.

Because formulas vary, compare the ingredient label, pack size and intended cooking uses rather than treating every ras el hanout as interchangeable.