KFC Secret Recipe Revealed-All The 11 Herbs & Spices

Behold the real KFC Secret Recipe Revealed-All The 11 Herbs & Spices needed to cook the original KFC fried chickens that we love to eat.

The Colonel's 11 herbs and spices are more securely guarded than most secret FBI briefings. You know the kind that involves armoured vehicles, locked briefcases, a vault and lots of sunshades. Do you know that KFC secret recipe has been revealed? KFC has even threatened legal action against people who had reportedly discovered a copy of the so-called KFC secret recipe.

KFC Secret Recipe Revealed

But just a few years ago, Joe Ledington, Colonel Harland David Sanders' nephew, had accidentally divulged this essential ingredient of the KFC recipe. Meaning he unintentionally revealed the 11 herbs and spices that are being used to make KFC fried chickens the way it is for decades.

You see Mr. Ledington was interviewed in 2016 for a nondescript travel story on the Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum. Jay Jones of the Chicago Tribune recalled that he shook hands with Ledington. He then proceeded to tell Mr. Ledington about the assignment that brought him to this part of southeast Kentucky.

Is KFC Recipe a Secret?

Just before Jay Jones could even open my notepad, the nephew of Harland Sanders attracted his attention to the photo album that was overflowing with photographs, newspaper clippings, and other family records. Mr. Ledington flicked the pages of the photo album and occasionally paused to point out particular photographs, such as the one of him posing with his famous uncle and another shot during the opening of a KFC in a distant country.

Where Is KFC Secret Recipe Kept?

Joe Ledington ultimately sparked Jay Jones's attention with his beloved Aunt Claudia's will. Although not as a result of the will itself. The reverse of this sheet contained a handwritten note. Written in blue ink on top of the white sheet, was, the "legendary" 11 Spices together with additions of 2 Cups of White Flour. This is complete with measurements for each of the herbs and spices.

Ledington would then acknowledge this was indeed the original eleven herbs and spices "with confidence" at the time, before "dialling back his certainty" and indicating a reluctance to clarify in a subsequent conversation with the editor of the Chicago Tribune.

During the damage control phase of this entire fiasco, a KFC representative stated to The New York Times that many people have made these claims throughout the years, and none of them has been accurate. Of course, we all know better, right?

Trying Out KFC Secret Recipe Chicken Original

In contradiction to this assertion, the Chicago Tribune test kitchen tried the recipe for themselves, comparing what they prepared to the current product, which produced even better results than anticipated. Tasters agreed that the test kitchen's fried chicken was superior to that of the Colonel.

KFC Secret Recipe Handwritten Note

Is this legit or not?

It did taste like the Colonel's secret mixture of herbs and spices. In fact, it was exceptionally near, but something was still missing. By adding a dash of MSG to the mixture, a near-identical match of KFC Secret Recipe was created.

The original KFC recipe includes eleven secret herbs and spices, which are listed below.

KFC Secret Recipe 11 Herbs & Spices

“11 spices – mix with 2 cups of white flour…”2/3 teaspoons of salt

• 1/2 teaspoons of thyme

• 1/2 teaspoons of basil

• 1/3 teaspoons of oregano

• 1 teaspoon of celery salt

• 1 teaspoon of black pepper

• 1 teaspoon of dried mustard

• 4 teaspoons of paprika

• 2 teaspoons of garlic salt

• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger

• 3 teaspoons of white pepper

• *Add MSG to match the modern recipe

There you have it, folks, KFC's Secret Recipe revealed-complete with the list of 11 herbs and spices which include exact measurements. My family and I have tried it and it was really, really close. Perhaps we needed the required kitchen gadgets to dish out the original KFC fried chickens. Or maybe, we can just patronise of the KFC outlets to enjoy authentic KFC original fried chicken.

Images credit: Shutterstock