The recipe is actually known. I came across a long article on the web about it. The true secret was that he used pressure cookers in the early years that no one else did.
Here's what Bing AI found and it might be from the article I read:
Here is an article I found on the KFC secret recipe. According to Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, the recipe consists of the following 11 herbs and spices: 2/3 tablespoon salt, 3 tablespoons white pepper, 1/2 tablespoon thyme, 1/2 tablespoon basil, 1/3 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon celery salt, 1 tablespoon dried mustard, 4 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic salt and 1 tablespoon ground gingerĀ¹.
The recipe is one of the most valuable fast food formulas and is considered one of the biggest trade secrets in the worldĀ³. The original handwritten recipe is housed in a 770-pound safe encased in two feet of concrete and guarded by video cameras and motion detectorsĀ³.
The whole super guarded recipe part I believe to be pure marketing pablum, a ruse to generate conversation.
Love how the AI gave a recipe with 10 items instead of 11, apparently Bing doesn't like black pepper since that's what it's missing compared to Wikipedia and the comment with the handwritten version
The true secret was that he used pressure cookers in the early years that no one else did.
Not a pressure cooker; a pressure fryer, which is a much more specialized piece of equipment. Unfortunately, you can't make authentic broasted chicken in your Instant Pot, and it's dangerous to try.
What the hell is celery salt?
Usually it's a mix of salt and ground up celery seeds or sometimes dried celery, or occasionally lovage (which is a related vegetable.) It's pretty commonly available at grocery stores in (in the US at least) with the rest of the spices.
If you've ever had a Bloody Mary or Caesar it's a common (some would say essential) ingredient in them. It's also a major part of Old Bay seasoning.
This is the one I use, previously found on the site-which-shall-not-be-named.
The recipe is actually known. I came across a long article on the web about it. The true secret was that he used pressure cookers in the early years that no one else did.
Here's what Bing AI found and it might be from the article I read:
Here is an article I found on the KFC secret recipe. According to Joe Ledington, Colonel Sanders' nephew, the recipe consists of the following 11 herbs and spices: 2/3 tablespoon salt, 3 tablespoons white pepper, 1/2 tablespoon thyme, 1/2 tablespoon basil, 1/3 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon celery salt, 1 tablespoon dried mustard, 4 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic salt and 1 tablespoon ground gingerĀ¹.
The recipe is one of the most valuable fast food formulas and is considered one of the biggest trade secrets in the worldĀ³. The original handwritten recipe is housed in a 770-pound safe encased in two feet of concrete and guarded by video cameras and motion detectorsĀ³.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 6/23/2023 (1) What is the KFC secret recipe? Top 11 herbs and spices 'revealed'. https://twistedfood.co.uk/articles/features/kfc-secret-recipe-colonel-herbs-spices. (2) Is This the Top-Secret KFC Recipe? - The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/dining/is-this-the-top-secret-kfc-recipe.html. (3) KFC Original Recipe - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC_Original_Recipe. (4) Here's KFC's Secret Recipe to Extra Crispy Fried Chicken - Taste of Home. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/kfcs-secret-recipe-crispy-fried-chicken/. (5) What Are KFC's 11 Herbs and Spices? - Allrecipes. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-are-kfcs-11-herbs-and-spices/.
The whole super guarded recipe part I believe to be pure marketing pablum, a ruse to generate conversation.
Love how the AI gave a recipe with 10 items instead of 11, apparently Bing doesn't like black pepper since that's what it's missing compared to Wikipedia and the comment with the handwritten version
Not a pressure cooker; a pressure fryer, which is a much more specialized piece of equipment. Unfortunately, you can't make authentic broasted chicken in your Instant Pot, and it's dangerous to try.
What the hell is celery salt?
Usually it's a mix of salt and ground up celery seeds or sometimes dried celery, or occasionally lovage (which is a related vegetable.) It's pretty commonly available at grocery stores in (in the US at least) with the rest of the spices.
If you've ever had a Bloody Mary or Caesar it's a common (some would say essential) ingredient in them. It's also a major part of Old Bay seasoning.
This is the one I use, previously found on the site-which-shall-not-be-named.
My favourite history. Pat Grace's Famous Fried Chicken: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uFbJFPRxd7Or4EiJ1V0jy
Immediately thought of this!