Lucas Delgado
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are one of the world's best-kept fast-food secrets. The recipe is so sacred to the fast-food chain that it is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. In 2016, Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, revealed a recipe for the 11 herbs and spices in a family photo album that once belonged to his aunt, Claudia—the Colonel's second wife. The Chicago Tribune tested the recipe, and it tasted very similar to the original. The recipe includes paprika, garlic salt, white pepper, dry mustard, and more.
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What You'll Learn
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are a closely guarded secret
In 2016, there was a glimpse behind the curtain when Colonel Sanders' nephew, Joe Ledington, shared what he claimed was the original recipe from a family scrapbook. Ledington recalled helping his uncle blend the spices as a boy. The recipe, written on the back of the will of Sanders' second wife, Claudia, included two cups of flour mixed with herbs and spices.
While Ledington later expressed uncertainty about whether the recipe was still in use at KFC, the Chicago Tribune test kitchen put it to the test. They found that the recipe produced chicken that tasted very similar to KFC's, but something was missing. It was only when they added a flavour enhancer, MSG, that their chicken became virtually indistinguishable from KFC's.
Despite this, KFC has denied that the recipe is authentic, and the true blend of 11 herbs and spices remains a mystery to this day. The company has stated that many people have claimed to have discovered the secret recipe over the years, but none have been correct.
The secrecy surrounding KFC's 11 herbs and spices has sparked curiosity and contributed to the success of the brand. It has also led to numerous attempts to replicate the recipe, with home cooks and chefs alike trying to crack the code to the iconic flavour.
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$17
The recipe was leaked in 2016 by Colonel Sanders' nephew
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are one of America's best-kept secrets. The recipe for the fast-food chain's fried chicken is kept in a vault at KFC headquarters in Louisville. In 2016, the closely guarded secret almost came out when Colonel Sanders' nephew, Joe Ledington, shared a recipe he claimed was the original 11 herbs and spices blend. Ledington shared the recipe, which he said he helped his uncle blend as a boy, with a Chicago Tribune reporter. He said he found it in a family scrapbook that belonged to his late aunt, Claudia Sanders, the Colonel's second wife.
According to Ledington, the recipe is called "11 Spices" and includes two cups of flour to create the iconic KFC breading. However, after sharing the recipe, he back-pedalled, saying he wasn't sure if it was the same one used by KFC. KFC, of course, denied the recipe's authenticity. But would they admit it if it were true?
The Chicago Tribune put the recipe to the test in their kitchen. They prepared several batches of chicken using the recipe and compared it to a batch of KFC Original Recipe chicken purchased at a restaurant. They concluded that the recipe ""came very close, yet something was still missing." So, they added a tablespoon of MSG flavour enhancer, and that did the trick. Their chicken now tasted "virtually indistinguishable" from the KFC batch.
The Tribune recipe includes two cups of white flour, buttermilk, and an egg. The chicken is soaked in the buttermilk and egg mixture, coated in the herb-spice-flour mixture, and then fried in oil at 350°F (177°C) until golden brown. While the recipe may not be exact, it is the closest the public has come to discovering the 11 herbs and spices.
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The recipe includes flour, salt, black pepper, and MSG
KFC's 11 herbs and spices recipe is a closely guarded secret. The recipe was perfected in 1939, and the company has gone to great lengths to protect it. KFC employs various companies to contribute different ingredients, so not even they know the full recipe. The original handwritten recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville.
In 2016, Colonel Sanders' nephew, Joe Ledington, revealed what he claimed was the original recipe, which he said he helped his uncle blend as a boy. Ledington's recipe includes flour, salt, black pepper, and MSG. However, after sharing the recipe, he back-pedalled, saying he wasn't sure if it was the same one used by KFC.
According to Ledington's recipe, the spices are mixed with two cups of flour to create the iconic KFC breading. The recipe is called "11 Spices," and while KFC denies its authenticity, it came very close to the real thing in taste tests.
To recreate the KFC method, coat the chicken in dredging flour with seasoning, then shake off the excess. Repeat this process seven times. The chicken is then fried in oil at 350 °F (177 °C) in a pressure fryer until golden brown.
While the full 11 herbs and spices recipe remains a secret, it's clear that flour, salt, black pepper, and MSG play a crucial role in creating the unique KFC flavor.
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The chicken is dipped in water, dried, and coated in the spice blend
KFC's 11 herbs and spices recipe is a closely guarded secret, with the original recipe kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville. However, in 2016, Colonel Sanders' nephew, Joe Ledington, revealed a recipe that he claimed was the original 11 herbs and spices blend. According to Ledington, the recipe was found in a family photo album that belonged to the Colonel's second wife, Claudia Sanders.
To prepare the chicken, each piece is dipped in water for seven seconds, dried for seven seconds, and then coated in the spice blend. This process is repeated seven times to ensure a thorough coating. The chicken is then fried, resulting in KFC's signature crispy and golden texture.
The spice blend itself is a carefully guarded secret, but Ledington's recipe provides some insight into the possible ingredients. The recipe includes two cups of flour, creating the iconic KFC breading. While the exact herbs and spices are not disclosed, Ledington noted the prevalence of white pepper, which was not commonly used when the recipe was created and added a subtle heat to the chicken.
In addition to white pepper, other ingredients that have been speculated to be part of the 11 herbs and spices include paprika, garlic salt, dry mustard, sage, and savory. Winston Shelton, a former friend of Colonel Sanders, claimed that the recipe contains Tellicherry black pepper. Some have also suggested that monosodium glutamate (MSG) may be the secret ingredient, as it enhances the flavour and makes the chicken taste similar to the original KFC recipe.
While the exact recipe remains a mystery, the process of dipping the chicken in water, drying it, and coating it in the spice blend is essential to creating the iconic KFC flavour and texture.
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The chicken is fried in vegetable oil at 350 °F
The KFC Original Recipe is a closely guarded trade secret, with the full list of 11 herbs and spices remaining a mystery to this day. KFC has been serving its famous fried chicken since 1930 and has been using the same 11 herbs and spices since 1939. The recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters in Louisville.
While the exact recipe is a secret, we do know a little about how the chicken is cooked. The chicken is soaked in buttermilk and coated in the herb-spice-flour mixture before frying. The oil is heated to 350 °F (177 °C) in a pressure fryer, or a deep fryer if a pressure fryer is unavailable. The chicken is then fried until it is a medium golden brown, which takes around 15-18 minutes.
It is important to ensure that the oil temperature is maintained at 350 °F. This can be checked using a deep-frying thermometer. When the correct temperature is reached, the heat should be lowered to a medium setting. It is also important not to crowd the pot. Fry 3 or 4 pieces at a time, turning each piece once during the frying process.
The use of a pressure fryer was a key innovation by Colonel Sanders in 1939. He found that pan-frying chicken was too slow, requiring 30 minutes per order, and that deep-fried chicken was often dry and unevenly cooked. The pressure fryer produced tasty, moist chicken in just 8 or 9 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
KFC's 11 herbs and spices are a closely guarded secret. In 2016, Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, revealed a recipe containing the 11 herbs and spices. However, KFC denied the recipe's authenticity. The recipe includes paprika, garlic salt, white pepper, dry mustard, and more.
To make KFC-style fried chicken, soak the chicken in a buttermilk-egg bath for 20-30 minutes. Then, dip the chicken in the herb-spice-flour mixture, shake off the excess, and repeat this process 6 more times. Finally, fry the chicken in oil at 350 °F (177 °C) until golden brown.
KFC's recipe for its 11 herbs and spices is famous because it is a well-kept secret. The recipe is kept in a vault at KFC's headquarters, and the company employs various companies to contribute different ingredients, ensuring that no one knows the full recipe.
