Mia Patel
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is renowned for its fried chicken, which is made using a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. The recipe has been a closely guarded secret for decades, with KFC going to great lengths to protect it. In 2016, a reporter claimed to have discovered the recipe in a Sanders family scrapbook, and while the public may never know if it's the true recipe, it's sparked a lot of interest in recreating KFC's famous fried chicken at home.
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What You'll Learn
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are a closely guarded secret
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices is one of the world's best-kept fast-food secrets. The recipe has been a closely guarded secret since 1939 when Colonel Sanders perfected his recipe. The original handwritten recipe is securely kept inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. KFC has denied attempts to reveal the recipe, including a 1982 lawsuit against Marion-Kay Spices for giving their mix to KFC franchisees.
In 2016, Joe Ledington, a nephew of Colonel Sanders by marriage, claimed to have found a copy of the original KFC fried chicken recipe in a handwritten note in a family scrapbook. Ledington's recipe includes 1 teaspoon each of oregano, chili powder, ground sage, dried basil, dried marjoram, pepper, salt, paprika, onion salt, and garlic powder, as well as 2 teaspoons of MSG-based seasoning. However, KFC has denied the accuracy of this recipe.
Despite the secrecy, some details about the recipe have been revealed. It is well-known that the recipe includes sage and savory, which Sanders learned from his mother, as well as Tellicherry black pepper. Winston Shelton, a former friend of Sanders, also claimed the recipe contains red pepper, allspice, and coriander. The recipe also likely includes common pantry staples, as Sanders once claimed that the ingredients "stand on everybody's shelf".
While the exact recipe remains a secret, KFC's 11 herbs and spices have inspired many home cooks to recreate the famous fried chicken. The recipe is believed to include a blend of herbs, spices, flour, buttermilk, and egg, with the chicken pieces coated in the seasoned flour mixture.
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The recipe was created by Colonel Harland Sanders
The recipe for KFC's famous fried chicken was created by Colonel Harland Sanders, who perfected his blend of 11 herbs and spices in 1939. The original recipe is a closely guarded secret, kept under lock and key in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville.
Sanders himself claimed that the ingredients were common household staples, stating that they "stand on everybody's shelf". Despite this, the exact recipe has never been revealed, and KFC has denied attempts to recreate it. In 1982, KFC even sued Marion-Kay Spices, the producers of 99-X, for giving their mix to KFC franchisees.
In 2016, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook, which was claimed to be the original KFC fried chicken recipe. Joe Ledington of Kentucky, a nephew by marriage of Colonel Sanders, had found the recipe jotted down on the back of the will for Claudia Sanders, the Colonel's late wife. While the recipe was put to the test, it was found to be missing something. The addition of MSG as a flavour enhancer was what made the recipe indistinguishable from the chicken purchased at KFC.
According to the recipe found by Joe Ledington, the 11 herbs and spices include ground oregano, chilli powder, ground sage, dried basil, dried marjoram, pepper, salt, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and MSG-based seasoning.
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It includes mainstream ingredients found in most kitchens
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are a closely guarded secret. However, it is believed that the ingredients are common and can be found in most kitchens. In 2016, Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew by marriage, claimed to have found a copy of the original KFC fried chicken recipe. The recipe was handwritten on a piece of paper in an envelope in a scrapbook. Ledington's recipe includes mainstream ingredients such as:
- Salt
- Thyme
- Basil
- Oregano
- Celery salt
- Black pepper
- Dried mustard
- Paprika
- Garlic salt
- Ground ginger
- White pepper
While the exact measurements and preparation methods may vary, these ingredients are likely to be the foundation of KFC's famous fried chicken flavor. The recipe has been taste-tested and is said to produce chicken that tastes very similar to the original KFC flavor.
In addition to the herbs and spices, the preparation technique is also believed to be a factor in achieving the signature KFC taste. The chicken is soaked in a buttermilk and egg mixture before being coated in the seasoned flour mixture. This process ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy, with a crispy, flavorful coating.
While the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, the fact that it includes common ingredients found in most kitchens makes it all the more intriguing. The simplicity of the ingredients, combined with the unique preparation techniques, creates a flavor that has become synonymous with KFC and has kept customers coming back for more for decades.
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The herbs and spices are mixed with flour, egg, and buttermilk
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices has been a closely guarded secret since 1939. The original recipe is kept securely inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. However, in 2016, Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew by marriage, claimed to have found a copy of the original recipe. According to Ledington, the 11 herbs and spices are mixed with flour, egg, and buttermilk.
To prepare the chicken, first mix the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl until combined. Next, soak the chicken pieces in the buttermilk mixture for 20-30 minutes at room temperature. After this, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, dip the chicken pieces in the herb-spice-flour mixture, ensuring all sides are coated, and shake off any excess.
The specific herbs and spices used in the flour mixture are unknown, but it has been speculated that they include sage, savory, Tellicherry black pepper, oregano, basil, marjoram, salt, pepper, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and MSG. It is also believed that the herbs and spices are all mainstream ingredients that can be found on everyone's shelf.
While the exact recipe remains a secret, many have attempted to recreate KFC's famous fried chicken at home using their own combinations of herbs and spices mixed with flour, egg, and buttermilk.
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The recipe has been leaked, but KFC denies its authenticity
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices is one of the most famous trade secrets in the catering industry. The original recipe is securely kept inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. Kentucky Fried Chicken claims that the secret recipe is only known by a few people and is protected by intense security measures.
In 2016, Joe Ledington of Kentucky, a nephew by marriage of Colonel Sanders, claimed to have found a copy of the original KFC fried chicken recipe. Ledington shared the recipe with a Chicago Tribune reporter, who was shown a handwritten recipe from a Sanders family scrapbook. The scrapbook was a photo album overstuffed with pictures, newspaper clippings, and various family documents. The recipe was written on the back of the last will and testament of Ledington's aunt, Claudia Sanders.
According to the recipe, which is called "11 Spices", the top-secret ingredients (and measurements) include four tablespoons of paprika, three tablespoons of white pepper, and two tablespoons of garlic salt. The other ingredients include a host of green herbs like thyme, basil, and oregano. The recipe also includes three separate kinds of salt - garlic, regular, and celery.
Ledington confirmed with conviction that the recipe was indeed the original 11 herbs and spices. However, during a subsequent interview, he dialed back his certainty and expressed reluctance to elaborate. KFC denies that this recipe is authentic. A spokesperson stated, "Many people have made these claims over the years and no one has been accurate — this one isn’t either." Despite KFC's denial, the Chicago Tribune test kitchen tried the recipe firsthand, comparing it to the modern product, and yielded even greater results than expected.
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Frequently asked questions
KFC's chicken recipe contains 11 herbs and spices.
KFC's blend of 11 herbs and spices is a closely guarded secret. However, some sources suggest that it may include:
- Oregano
- Chili powder
- Sage
- Basil
- Marjoram
- Pepper
- Salt
- Paprika
- Onion salt
- Garlic powder
- MSG
KFC has been using the same 11 herbs and spices recipe since 1939. However, in 1993, some KFC outlets started using a blend of palm and soybean oil for economic reasons, instead of the vegetable oil used by Sanders.
The original handwritten recipe is kept inside a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville and is only known by a few people.
In 2016, Joe Ledington, a nephew of Colonel Sanders by marriage, claimed to have found the original recipe in a family scrapbook. Ledington's recipe includes the herbs and spices listed above. However, KFC denies that this recipe is correct.
