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The secret behind KFC’s iconic blend of 11 herbs and spices may have been uncovered by Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew. According to Ledington, the recipe combines common household ingredients, shedding light on one of the most famous culinary mysteries in the fast-food industry.
KFC’s Iconic Original Recipe: A Secret Blend Born in the 1930s and Still Going Strong
The recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken’s secret blend of 11 herbs and spices has remained a culinary mystery for decades. However, a glimpse into an old scrapbook owned by Joe Ledington, Colonel Harland Sanders’ nephew, may have revealed one of the fast-food industry’s best-kept secrets. Ledington, who claims he used to prepare KFC's spice blend himself, told the Chicago Tribune that his recipe is authentic. According to Ledington, the blend combines 2 cups of flour with dried thyme, dried basil, salt, celery salt, dried oregano, paprika, garlic salt, dried mustard, ground black pepper, ground white pepper, and ground ginger.
The secret recipe traces back to the 1930s when Colonel Sanders began perfecting his fried chicken technique with a pressure fryer filled with vegetable oil. His now-famous Original Recipe became the foundation of Kentucky Fried Chicken, officially launched as a franchise in Utah in 1952. Sanders once remarked that the mix contained ingredients commonly found in households—a claim confirmed by the accessibility of spices like these. Today, KFC continues to incorporate the classic blend across its menu, from chicken tenders to its new sauce-covered nuggets.
KFC’s Secret Recipe: The Legendary 11 Herbs and Spices Kept Under Lock and Key
Despite the recipe’s occasional near-reveals, KFC has carefully guarded the formula, maintaining it as a hallmark of its brand. A copy of the recipe, signed by Sanders himself, is secured in a vault within KFC's headquarters in Kentucky, sometimes compared to a fast-food "Fort Knox." According to the company, only one individual knows the full recipe, and it is so tightly guarded that two companies are responsible for preparing the spice blend to maintain secrecy. When asked about the formula, KFC's website remarks, “If we told you what was in the Colonel's blend of 11 herbs and spices it wouldn't be a secret now would it? Our lips are sealed."
The mystery surrounding these 11 herbs and spices continues to be a core part of KFC’s allure, even as the company has experimented with various new items over the years. However, the Original Recipe remains at the heart of KFC’s enduring popularity. For those up for the challenge, recreating this blend at home could reveal how close they can come to Colonel Sanders' iconic fried chicken.
