Emily Carter
KFC's Original Recipe is a closely guarded secret mix of 11 herbs and spices used to produce fried chicken. The recipe is so famous that it is kept in a vault in KFC's Louisville headquarters, and only a few people are said to know it. In 2016, a reporter claimed to have seen the recipe in a Sanders family scrapbook. While KFC denied the authenticity of the recipe, it is said to include salt, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, celery salt, ground black pepper, ground yellow mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and ground white pepper.
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What You'll Learn
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are one of America's best-kept secrets
The story of the 11 herbs and spices began with Harland Sanders, who perfected his recipe in the late 1930s. Sanders discovered that pan-frying chicken was too time-consuming, and while deep-frying reduced the cooking time, it yielded dry and unevenly cooked meat. He eventually found that a pressure fryer produced the desired result: tasty, moist chicken cooked in just eight to nine minutes. By July 1940, Sanders had finalised his Original Recipe, which formed the foundation of what would become KFC.
The Original Recipe has become a key differentiator for KFC, setting it apart from its competitors. The company has shipped the spices already mixed to its restaurants to preserve the secrecy of the blend. This strategy has fuelled curiosity and speculation, with numerous copycat recipes emerging online, each claiming to be the genuine article. However, KFC has consistently denied the authenticity of these recipes, adding to the intrigue surrounding the original 11 herbs and spices.
In 2016, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, titled "11 Spices – Mix With 2 Cups White Fl." The recipe included measurements for ingredients such as salt, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper. While this recipe has not been officially confirmed by KFC, it is considered the closest approximation to the original, with the Chicago Tribune reporting that it "came very close, yet something was still missing." The addition of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavour enhancer was found to complete the taste profile.
Despite the various attempts to replicate KFC's 11 herbs and spices, the exact formula remains a closely guarded secret. The recipe's secrecy has only added to its allure, with many people attempting to recreate the iconic flavour in their own kitchens. While the true recipe may forever remain under lock and key, the mystery surrounding it continues to captivate taste-seekers and culinary adventurers alike.
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The recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's Louisville headquarters
The recipe for KFC's famous fried chicken is a closely guarded secret, with only a few people knowing the exact ingredients. The original recipe, handwritten, is kept securely inside a vault at KFC's Louisville headquarters. The company has gone to great lengths to protect its valuable intellectual property, employing various companies to contribute different ingredients, so no one supplier knows the full recipe.
The recipe is said to include 11 herbs and spices, and KFC ships these spices already mixed to its restaurants to preserve the secrecy of the blend. This practice dates back to the 1950s when Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, began marketing his unique fried chicken.
In 1983, William Poundstone conducted laboratory research into the coating mix, and he claimed that a sample he examined contained only flour, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and black pepper. However, this has been disputed, and KFC maintains that it adheres to Sanders' original 1940 recipe.
Despite the secrecy, some have come close to uncovering the recipe. In 2016, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, titled "11 Spices – Mix With 2 Cups White Fl." The ingredients included salt, origino, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper. Joe Ledington, Harland Sanders' nephew, confirmed that these were the 11 secret herbs and spices, but KFC denied the authenticity of this recipe.
While the exact recipe remains a mystery, it has sparked curiosity and attempts to recreate the famous fried chicken at home, and contributed to the brand's popularity.
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KFC employs two different firms to formulate the blend
KFC's Original Recipe is a closely guarded secret mix of 11 herbs and spices used to produce its famous fried chicken. The recipe is so famous that it is kept in a vault at KFC's Louisville headquarters, along with 11 separate vials that each contain one of the ingredients. The original handwritten recipe is also securely kept inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville.
KFC employs various companies to contribute different ingredients to the recipe, so not even they know the full recipe. The company has employed two different firms, Griffith Laboratories and McCormick & Company, to formulate the blend. Each firm is given a different half of the recipe to maintain secrecy.
The recipe was created by Harland Sanders, who initially sold his fried chicken from a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. As his chicken grew in popularity, he decided to remove the gas pumps and build a restaurant and motel in their place. Sanders found that pan-frying chicken was too slow, requiring 30 minutes per order, and deep-fried chicken was dry and unevenly cooked. In 1939, he discovered that using a pressure fryer produced tasty, moist chicken in eight or nine minutes. By July 1940, Sanders had finalized what came to be known as his Original Recipe.
While the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, some have attempted to recreate it. In 2016, a reporter was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, which was titled "11 Spices – Mix With 2 Cups White Fl." The ingredients included salt, origino, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper. Joe Ledington, Harland Sanders' nephew, confirmed that these were the 11 secret herbs and spices, though KFC denied the authenticity of the recipe.
Some have also suggested that the secret recipe contains additional ingredients such as sage, savory, and Tellicherry black pepper. While the exact recipe remains a mystery, KFC's Original Recipe continues to be a well-kept secret, contributing to the popularity and success of the brand.
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The chicken is soaked in buttermilk and coated in the breading mixture
KFC's Original Recipe is a closely guarded secret, with the company employing various tactics to ensure the blend of 11 herbs and spices remains a mystery. However, we do know a bit about how the chicken is prepared.
The buttermilk soak is an essential step in achieving the desired tenderness and moisture in the chicken. By allowing the chicken to rest in the buttermilk for a period of time, the meat absorbs moisture, resulting in a juicy and tender bite after frying. The buttermilk also contains lactic acid, which helps to tenderise the meat and enhance its flavour.
The breading mixture, also known as the spice mixture, is a carefully crafted blend of 11 herbs and spices. While the exact ingredients remain a closely guarded secret, it is believed to include salt, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, celery salt, ground black pepper, ground yellow mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and ground white pepper. This mixture is what gives KFC chicken its signature flavour and aroma.
The coating process involves thoroughly coating the chicken in the breading mixture. Some recipes suggest a flour-egg-flour dredge, where the chicken is dipped in flour, then egg, and finally coated in the flour-herb mixture. Others suggest using a paper bag method, where the chicken is placed in a bag with the mixture and shaken to ensure an even coating.
After coating, the chicken is fried in oil at approximately 350 °F (177 °C) until golden brown. A pressure fryer is recommended for the best results, as it cooks the chicken evenly and helps retain moisture. However, a deep fryer or tabletop fryer can also be used as an alternative.
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The recipe was found in a family photo album
The recipe for KFC's famous fried chicken has been a closely guarded secret for years. The chain's popularity has been attributed to this secret recipe and the product. The recipe is not patented, and KFC goes to great lengths to protect it. It is kept in a vault at KFC's Louisville headquarters, and only a few people know the ingredients.
In 2016, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune by the name of Jay Jones was shown a recipe in a family photo album by Joe Ledington, Harland Sanders' nephew. The album was stuffed with pictures, newspaper clippings, and various family documents. The recipe was titled "11 Spices – Mix With 2 Cups White Fl." Ledington had a hand in mixing the Original Recipe for Colonel Sanders when he was a young boy, and he recalled that white pepper was a principal ingredient.
The recipe was as follows:
- 2/3 tablespoons salt
- 1/3 tablespoon origino
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried mustard
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 3 tablespoons white pepper
Ledington expressed uncertainty that this was the Original Recipe, and KFC denied the recipe's authenticity. However, the Chicago Tribune tested the recipe and found that it "came very close, yet something was still missing." They discovered that adding a tablespoon of MSG made it taste like the real thing.
While we may never know if this is the true recipe, it is certainly a tasty one and has been described as producing "'finger-lickin' good" fried chicken.
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Frequently asked questions
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are a closely guarded secret, and the recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters. While the exact ingredients may never be truly known, some sources claim the recipe includes salt, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, celery salt, ground black pepper, ground yellow mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and ground white pepper.
To make KFC chicken at home, you'll need to combine flour with the herbs and spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. Add the chicken to the buttermilk mixture and let it marinate for 30 minutes or overnight. Then, coat the chicken in the flour and spice mixture, and fry it in oil at 350°F (177°C) until golden brown.
The KFC Original Recipe is a key differentiator for the brand and is considered one of the most valuable assets of the company. The recipe is not patented, as patents are published and have an expiration date, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of the holder indefinitely.
While KFC claims that the recipe is only known by a few people, there have been several alleged leaks over the years. In 2016, a reporter claimed to have seen a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, and in the same year, Joe Ledington, Harland Sanders' nephew, revealed a recipe that he recalled mixing as a boy. However, KFC has denied the authenticity of these recipes.
