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You’re minding your own business, scrolling through your feed, when suddenly some guy pops up claiming he’s Colonel Sanders’ great-great-great nephew. Bold, right? Then he starts talking about the KFC fried chicken recipe—yes, the one wrapped in mystery and locked away tighter than Fort Knox.

Before you can blink, he’s reading off what he swears are the 11 herbs and spices that made KFC world-famous. So what actually happened, and did this man really spill the secret behind that crispy perfection? Let’s find out.

The Viral Recipe Reveal

The story burst onto TikTok, where the self-proclaimed descendant shares videos dedicated to the real history and legacy behind Kentucky Fried Chicken. According to him, his only goal is to honor family tradition by sharing facts and preserving the real deal behind the famous recipe. He even claims part of his knowledge comes from relatives close to Lee Cummings, a nephew who once worked with Colonel Sanders and was involved in a court case about that exact recipe.

In his now-viral post on the handle @realcolonelsanders, he lays out every single ingredient for viewers, insisting his version is pieced together from both public records and family lore. He suggests you start with three tablespoons of salt, one tablespoon of MSG, and combine regular flour with a mix of cake flour. The spices he lists are sage, garlic powder, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, ginger, white pepper, and black pepper. 

He explains that some measurements reflect his family’s personal tastes and encourages everyone to experiment until they get the flavor they like best.

Not Just About The Blend

Plenty of people in the comments sections point out that KFC’s chicken isn’t just about what goes into the breading mix. There’s a whole process behind the scenes, starting with how the meat is pressure-fried, which locks in a unique texture that’s tough to replicate at home. 

Some also recall a separate moment years ago, when another family member named Joe Ledington found a handwritten version of the original seasoning list in family papers, although that recipe was a bit different.

How This Kind Of Reveal Always Sparks New Curiosity

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KFC takes its recipe security seriously—like, really seriously. Back in 2008, the company locked the original handwritten recipe in a high-security vault in Louisville, complete with cameras, alarms, and actual guards. The kicker? Only two executives supposedly know the complete formula at any time, and they're forbidden from flying together. If that sounds dramatic, it gets better: KFC even split up its supply chain so no single supplier knows all 11 herbs and spices.

This whole setup isn't just about protection; it's brilliant marketing. By treating the recipe like a state secret, KFC turned mystery into brand identity. Every time someone claims their grandma leaked the real formula online, people lose their minds trying to crack the code. The secrecy keeps us hooked, and honestly, that's exactly what KFC wants.