This homemade peri peri seasoning is a bold, spicy spice blend made with paprika, bird's eye chili, garlic, herbs, and citrusy lemon peel. It's perfect as a dry rub for chicken, shrimp, vegetables, and grilled meats, and comes together in minutes with pantry spices. Try my Peri Peri Chicken and Peri Peri Sauce, too!
Mike's Signature Homemade Peri-Peri Seasoning Recipe
If you're a fan of big, bold flavors like I am, you're going to love this homemade peri peri seasoning. It's a spicy, zesty spice blend inspired by African and Portuguese cooking that adds instant flavor to chicken, seafood, vegetables, and more.
I use it as a dry rub, a finishing sprinkle, or mixed into marinades and sauces for a punch of heat and citrusy spice. I've been making homemade spice blends for many years, and this one is definitely worth trying.
Let me show you how to make it.
What is Peri Peri?
Peri peri seasoning (also spelled piri piri or pili pili) is a bold spice blend inspired by African and Portuguese cuisine. The flavor centers around the African Bird's Eye chili, a small but fiery pepper known for its bright heat.
The seasoning typically combines:
- paprika
- bird's eye chili or cayenne
- garlic
- herbs
- citrus elements like lemon peel
It delivers a spicy, slightly smoky, citrusy flavor that works beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, roasted vegetables, and sauces.
It’s closely related to peri peri sauce, which uses similar flavors but is blended with oil, vinegar, garlic, and fresh chilies to make a marinade or finishing sauce.
Why You'll Love This Peri Peri Seasoning
- Big, bold flavor. Spicy, garlicky, citrusy, and slightly smoky all in one blend.
- Super versatile. Use it on chicken, shrimp, steak, vegetables, fries, and so much more.
- Easy homemade spice mix. Ready in minutes using simple pantry spices.
- Customizable heat. Adjust the chili level to make it mild or extra spicy, just the way I love it.
Key Ingredients
This peri peri seasoning uses a simple combination of spices that deliver the classic spicy and citrusy flavor profile.
The full peri peri seasoning ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Paprika. Use hot, sweet, or smoked paprika to your preference. I love it with a mix of both hot and smoked.
- Ground African Bird's Eye Chilies (Piri Piri Chilies). You can buy this online, or use cayenne pepper as a substitute.
- Garlic Powder.
- Ground Ginger.
- Dried Oregano.
- Ground Coriander.
- Dried Lemon Peel. Or use citric acid.
- Salt. To taste.
- Sugar. Optional for a touch of balancing sweetness to the heat.
How to Make Peri Peri Seasoning
- Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
- Mix well until the spices are fully combined.
- Transfer the seasoning to an airtight spice jar or container.
- Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
That's it! Your homemade peri peri seasoning is ready to use. Time to get cooking!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- This is a great recipe to make for gardeners who enjoy dehydrating. I love to grow African bird's eye chilies, then dehydrate them for making crushed chili pepper flakes or grinding into a powder, which can be used to make your own signature blends.
- Grind whole chilies for the best flavor. If you can find dried African bird's eye chilies, grind them fresh for a more vibrant heat. Dried pequin chilies are great as well.
- Use mixed paprika. I love combining sweet paprika with smoked paprika for deeper flavor.
- Adjust the salt. Some people prefer salt-free spice blends so they can control salt when cooking.
- Use citric acid for brightness. Lemon peel works great, but citric acid adds a sharper citrus pop.
How to Spice It Up
If you love extra heat like I do, try boosting the spice level with these variations.
Extra Spicy Peri Peri
- add ½ teaspoon ghost pepper powder
- add extra bird's eye chili powder
Smoky Peri Peri
- increase smoked paprika
- add a pinch of chipotle powder
Lemon Forward Version
- increase dried lemon peel
- add lemon zest powder
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Peri Peri Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika use hot, sweet, or smoked paprika to preference
- 1 tablespoon ground African Bird’s eye chilies/piri piri chilies use cayenne pepper as a substitute - adjust to heat preference
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel or use citric acid
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½-1 teaspoon sugar optional, for a touch of balancing sweetness
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until well blended.
- Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container.
- Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Nutrition Information
Uses for Peri Peri Seasoning
This versatile peri peri seasoning works as a dry rub, finishing spice, or flavor boost for marinades and sauces. It adds bold, spicy, citrusy flavor to meats, seafood, and vegetables.
For meats, drizzle with a little oil, then rub thoroughly with the seasoning before grilling, roasting, or searing. It’s especially great with chicken.
Use peri peri seasoning for:
- grilled peri peri chicken
- roasted potatoes or fries
- shrimp or grilled seafood
- roasted vegetables
- grilled corn
- popcorn
- compound butter
- chicken wings
- grilled steak
It’s particularly good rubbed onto chicken with olive oil before grilling or roasting.
Storage
Store peri peri seasoning in a sealed spice jar or airtight container in a cool, dark place, like a pantry.
It will keep its best flavor for about 6 months, though it is safe to use longer. Fresh spices always deliver the strongest flavor.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy the spice blend, my friends! I'd love to hear how you're going to use yours. Cheers!
FAQs
How spicy is peri peri seasoning?
Peri peri seasoning is typically medium to hot depending on how much chili powder you use. African bird's eye chilies are quite spicy, but you can reduce the amount for a milder blend.
Can I make peri peri seasoning without bird's eye chilies?
Yes. Cayenne pepper works well as a substitute and is easier to find.
What does peri peri seasoning taste like?
It has a bold flavor that is spicy, garlicky, slightly smoky, and citrusy.
Can I turn this into peri peri sauce?
Yes. Mix the seasoning with olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and lemon juice to create a quick peri peri marinade or sauce.
Get More Peri Peri Recipes
- This peri peri chicken recipe smothers chicken in a homemade peri peri sauce then bakes or grills them and serves them with extra sauce. It's a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Looking for a twist? Try my peri peri chicken wings, great as an appetizer or full meal!
Looking for More Seasoning Recipes?
- Beef Stew Seasoning - Take your next beef stew to the next level!
- Carne Asada Seasoning - This is such a great steak rub.
- Homemade Blackening Seasoning - Perfect for the spicy food lover.
- This Suya Spice Recipe (yaji) is a nutty, spicy Nigerian seasoning with peanuts, chili, garlic, and ginger.
- See All of My Seasonings Recipes
NOTE: This post was updated on 3/12/26 to include new information, including usage ideas. The recipe was not changed.
ZeeCooks says
I absolutely loved this on some fries
Mike H. says
Yup, so good. Enjoy!
Jesus Lamazares says
We have a restaurant down in South Florida called The Port Of Peri Peri. Outstanding flavor and their Peri Peri sauce is HOT! I'm gonna try this spice mix. Mike if you could come up with a Peri Peri sauce, I'd love to try it!
Mike H. says
Here you go: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/chili-pepper-recipes/sauces/peri-peri-sauce/ 😉
Heidi Engel says
I would definitely substitute natural instead of the citric acid— citric acid is made from black mold— it is definitely not a healthy choice— a quick tip; when we spend the money to buy organic lemons, limes, oranges, mandarin, grapefruits—any citrus, after washing, peel before juicing, and then dehydrate your peels so you have them on hand.
Mike Hultquist says
OK, Heidi. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.