Did you find a delicious recipe only to see it calls for Chinese five-spice powder, and you don’t have it? Save yourself a trip to the grocery store. Find the BEST Chinese 5 spice substitute from one of these delicious options, or make your own Chinese five-spice powder from scratch using pantry ingredients.
- What is Chinese Five Spice Made of?
- Chinese Five Spice Ingredients
- How to Make Chinese Five Spice at Home
- The Best Chinese 5 Spice Substitutes
- 1. Homemade Chinese Five Spice Powder
- 2. Allspice
- 3. Garam Masala
- 4. Ras El Hanout
- 5. Baharat
- Expert Tips
- How to Use Chinese Five Spice
- What To Do With Leftovers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chinese 5 Spice Substitute
What is Chinese Five Spice Made of?
Chinese five spice is a traditional seasoning blend named for its five key ingredients. Traditionally, the whole spices below are toasted and ground into an aromatic powder to enhance sweet and savory dishes.
The amount of each ingredient differs from recipe to recipe, but the preparation is always the same. Measure the whole spices, toast them in a wok or skillet, and process them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
It’s important to note that some recipes replace the Sichuan peppercorns with white peppercorns, while others include ground ginger, nutmeg, green cardamom pods, or dried tangerine peel.
Chinese Five Spice Ingredients
- Fennel Seeds: Fennel seeds offer a mild, sweet, and slightly minty flavor.
- Sichuan Peppercorns: Sichuan peppercorns offer a citrusy flavor and a unique tingling sensation known as “ma.” Red Sichuan peppercorns are more commonly used, while green Sichuan peppercorns provide a stronger taste.
- Cinnamon: I use a small Chinese cinnamon stick, but you can replace it with one tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
- Star Anise: The strong licorice-like taste of star anise deeply flavors the spice blend.
- Black Cloves: Sweeten the homemade Chinese five spice powder with black cloves.
- Ginger: Ground ginger isn’t always added to five-spice blends, but I use it to round out the flavor of the other spices.
How to Make Chinese Five Spice at Home
If you don’t feel like searching for a Chinese 5 spice substitute, you can always make your own from scratch. The exact measurements are listed below, but here’s a quick look at how it comes together.
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Break the cinnamon stick into pieces and add it to a skillet with the other whole spices. Dry toast in a small skillet for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to draw out their natural oils.
Step 2: Let the ingredients cool slightly and transfer them to a spice grinder in batches; process them into a fine powder.
Step 3: Stir in the ground ginger and transfer the homemade Chinese 5 spice powder to an airtight container.
The Best Chinese 5 Spice Substitutes
Do you need to know what to use instead of Chinese five spice? Here are my top five favorite substitutes and your secret weapon for whipping up mouthwatering recipes when you don’t have access to the spice blend.
1. Homemade Chinese Five Spice Powder
The BEST Chinese 5 spice substitute is one you make at home. Homemade Chinese five spice is the ultimate substitute for store-bought versions because it allows you to experiment with the amount of each spice until you find the perfect balance. Check out the Chinese five spice blend I use at home in the recipe card below.
2. Allspice
Allspice is an easy Chinese 5 spice substitute because it’s something most households have in their pantry. The sweet and savory spice blend is a suitable single-powder Chinese 5 spice substitute.
It has a good balance between warm and sweet to add depth to your meal without the hassle of using a ton of different spices. Don’t believe me? Try roasted jerk chicken or Jamaican chicken fricassee, and see for yourself!
3. Garam Masala
Think of garam masala as a distant cousin of Chinese five spice. And while it’s not an exact match, it provides a bitter but sweet flavor similar to five-spice.
Garam masala usually combines cloves, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cumin seeds—some of which are in Chinese five spice powder.
You can try the Pakistani garam masala I’ve linked here, or my mother-in-law’s garam masala recipe from North India.
4. Ras El Hanout
Ras el hanout is a fantastic alternative to Chinese five-spice powder. Hailing from North Africa, it’s a vibrant spice blend that’s loaded with flavor.
The main ingredients are cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, and cumin, which is why the taste of ras el hanout may not be an exact match, but it comes pretty close.
5. Baharat
Baharat, a popular Middle Eastern spice blend, is a suitable replacement for Chinese five-spice powder with its tasty combination of rich, warm spices.
It features ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper, making it a solid substitute for Chinese 5 spice.
Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen
Expert Tips
- Use whole spices. Start by toasting whole spices for the best flavor instead reaching for ground spices. Whole spices retain their aroma and flavor longer.
- Toast the spices. Toasting the spices before grinding them extracts their natural oil, pronouncing their flavor. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Process into a fine powder. Grind the whole spices into a fine powder spice grinder or a mortar and pestle if you don’t mind the extra work. Then, stir in the ground ginger as suggested.
If you enjoy my suggestions, try one of these tasty spice blend recipes!
How to Use Chinese Five Spice
Use the versatile spice blend to season various Chinese dishes, including meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and dessert.
- Use Chinese five spice as a rub for seafood, pork, or poultry like duck or chicken; it would be a great addition to fried chicken or crispy baked chicken wings.
- Stir fry meat and vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snap peas in a hot wok with a drizzle of oil. Add a sprinkle of Chinese five spice with other ingredients for a fragrant and flavorful vegetable dish.
- Replace BBQ rub with Chinese five-spice powder to make beef ribs or grilled chicken drumsticks.
- Toss nuts or chickpeas with the spice for a tasty and flavorful snack.
- Create a rich broth by simmering beef bones with Chinese five-spice powder, ginger, garlic, and onions.
- Add the 5-spice powder to your favorite apple crumble recipe or our keto apple crisp for a warmly spiced dessert.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Storage: After you grind the whole spices, store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and flavor. Keep the container in a cool, dry place for the best results. Use the spice blend within 4-6 weeks of preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chinese five spice taste like?
Chinese five spice has a unique bitter and sweet flavor. The star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel create a balanced spice blend that’s sweet and savory with a touch of warmth.
Where to buy Chinese 5 spice?
Chinese five spice powder is available in mainstream grocery stores and specialty shops. You can find it at your local Asian market. Look for small jars or packets labeled “Chinese five spice” or “5-spice powder.”
Is Chinese 5 spice powder the same as allspice?
Although allspice is a suitable Chinese five-spice substitute, they are two distinct spice blends with different flavor profiles.
Traditional Chinese five-spice powder consists of fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, Chinese cinnamon, star anise, and black cloves ground to create a tasty and complex flavor combination.
On the other hand, allspice is crafted from the dried berries of the Pimento tree; it tastes like cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, making it a fitting replacement.
More Chinese Recipes:
Chinese 5 Spice Substitute
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 2-inch Chinese cinnamon stick
- 4 star anise
- 1 teaspoon black cloves
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- Break the cinnamon stick into pieces and add it to a skillet with the other whole spices. Dry toast in a small skillet for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to draw out their natural oils.
- Let the ingredients cool slightly and transfer them to a spice grinder in batches; process them into a fine powder.
- Stir in the ground ginger and transfer the homemade Chinese 5 spice powder to an airtight container
- Achieve the best flavor using fresh, whole spices instead of pre-ground ones. Whole spices retain their aroma and flavor longer.
- Toasting the spices before grinding them draws out more of their natural flavor. Toast them in a dry pan over low heat until they become fragrant and slightly darker.
- Grind the whole spices into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Process the whole spices in small batches to ensure they are evenly ground. Then, stir in the ginger.
Sarah
Thursday 14th of September 2023
I tried the Ras El Hanout as you suggested and it worked like a charm.
Tressa Jamil
Friday 15th of September 2023
Yay, I am so happy the ras el hanout worked out for you.