What Are KFC’s 11 Herbs and Spices? The Secret Recipe Story
Nobody outside KFC knows for sure. The 11 herbs and spices in KFC’s Original Recipe chicken are a trade secret, which means the company keeps them private on purpose. KFC has never shared the full list.
But there is a famous list that many people believe is close to the real thing. It came out in 2016, and we will get to it below. First, here is how KFC keeps the recipe safe.
How does KFC keep the recipe secret?
A copy of the recipe, written and signed by Colonel Harland Sanders, is kept in a locked vault. KFC has said that only a small number of people know the full recipe.
The company also splits the work. One supplier mixes part of the blend, and a second supplier adds the rest. That way, no single company has the whole recipe in one place.
Why doesn’t KFC just get a patent?
A patent would protect the recipe, but only for a limited number of years, and the recipe would have to be made public. A trade secret can stay private forever, as long as the company keeps it hidden. That is why KFC chose secrecy.
What was the 2016 leaked recipe?
In 2016, a reporter from the Chicago Tribune visited Joe Ledington, a nephew of Colonel Sanders by marriage. Ledington showed an old family scrapbook with a handwritten list of 11 herbs and spices mixed into 2 cups of flour. He said it might be the original recipe.
The Tribune team cooked chicken with it. After a few tries, and after adding a flavor booster called MSG, they said it tasted almost the same as KFC. KFC said the list was not the real recipe.
Here are the ingredients from that list:
| # | Herb or spice |
|---|---|
| 1 | Salt |
| 2 | Thyme |
| 3 | Basil |
| 4 | Oregano |
| 5 | Celery salt |
| 6 | Black pepper |
| 7 | Dried mustard |
| 8 | Paprika |
| 9 | Garlic salt |
| 10 | Ground ginger |
| 11 | White pepper |
Many cooks say white pepper is the flavor people notice most in KFC chicken. It gives that mild, warm bite at the back of your throat.
Is the spice mix the only secret?
No. The way KFC cooks the chicken matters a lot too. KFC uses pressure fryers, which cook chicken faster and keep it juicy inside. A regular home fryer cannot copy that exactly, so even with the right spices, homemade chicken often tastes a bit different.
Who was Colonel Sanders?
Harland Sanders was a real person. He sold fried chicken from a roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, and started selling his recipe to other restaurants in the 1950s. “Colonel” was an honorary title from the state of Kentucky, not a military rank. He sold the company in 1964 but stayed its face for years.
How much does Original Recipe chicken cost?
An 8 piece bucket is about $22.99 for chicken only, and an 8 piece meal with sides and biscuits is about $30.99. An Original Recipe breast has about 390 calories, and a drumstick about 130. See all prices on our KFC menu with prices.
Want to compare fried chicken? Check the Popeyes menu, the Church’s Chicken menu and the Bojangles menu. You can also read why people in Japan eat KFC on Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
What are KFC’s 11 herbs and spices?
KFC has never made the full list public. A list found in 2016 includes salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger and white pepper, but KFC says it is not the real recipe.
Where is the KFC secret recipe kept?
A copy signed by Colonel Sanders is kept in a locked vault, and only a few people know the full recipe.
Do KFC suppliers know the whole recipe?
No. KFC splits the blend between two suppliers, so neither one has the complete recipe.
What makes KFC chicken taste different?
Along with the secret seasoning, KFC uses pressure fryers, which cook chicken quickly and keep it juicy.
Was Colonel Sanders a real colonel?
Colonel was an honorary title given by the state of Kentucky. Harland Sanders was not a military colonel.
How many calories are in KFC Original Recipe chicken?
An Original Recipe breast has about 390 calories, a thigh about 280, and a drumstick about 130.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
