Did you find a delicious-looking recipe on Pinterest, only to find out it calls for Chinese five spice powder, and there is none in sight? We’ve all been there, but save yourself a trip to the grocery store. Here are my suggestions for choosing the BEST Chinese 5 spice substitute when you don’t have any in your pantry.
Do You Need a Chinese 5 Spice Substitute?
- Do You Need a Chinese 5 Spice Substitute?
- 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 the Leftovers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chinese 5 Spice Substitute
What is Chinese Five Spice Made of?
Chinese five spice is a traditional blend of spices used in Chinese cuisine; the powder gets its name from having five primary ingredients.
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 pan, and grind them into a fine powder. Some recipes may include ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, or dried tangerine peel.
Chinese Five Spice Ingredients
- Fennel Seeds: Fennel seeds offer a mild, sweet, and slightly minty flavor.
- Sichuan Peppercorns: Sichuan peppercorns provide a unique numbing and citrusy taste.
- Chinese Cinnamon: I use a small cinnamon stick, but you can replace it with one tablespoon of ground cinnamon to add a sweet, woody flavor.
- 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 the black cloves’ slightly sweet, warm, and woody flavor.
- Ginger Powder: Ginger is sometimes an ingredient in five spice blends, and I use it in our recipe to balance the flavor of the other spices.
How to Make Chinese Five Spice at Home
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Break down the cinnamon stick, then combine it with the other ingredients in a skillet.
Dry roast the whole spices in a small skillet for 2-3 minutes over medium heat to draw out the flavor and aroma of the whole spices.
Step 2: Let the ingredients cool, add transfer them to a spice grinder in batches; blend until fine.
Step 3: Stir in the ground ginger and add 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; be sure to check out the Chinese five spice blend we use at home in the recipe card below.
2. Allspice
Allspice is an easy Chinese 5 spice substitute because it’s an ingredient most people have in their pantry. The sweet and savory spice blend is a suitable single-powder substitute.
It has a good balance between warm and sweet to add depth to your meal without the hassle of using different spices to replace Chinese five spice powder in recipes. Don’t believe me? Try our roasted jerk chicken or Jamaican chicken fricassee, and see for yourself!
3. Garam Masala
Garam masala is like a distant cousin of Chinese five spice. And while it’s not an exact match, garam masala provides a warm and unique flavor similar to the spice blend. Garam masala is a fragrant combination of spices used in Pakistani and Indian cuisine that features cloves, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cumin seeds – some of which are in Chinese five spice powder.
Try our North Indian garam masala recipe for another variation!
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 loaded with flavor. Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, cumin – it’s got it all! While it may produce the same taste as 5-spice, ras el hanout comes pretty close.
5. Baharat
Baharat, the popular Middle Eastern spice blend, does a good job replacing Chinese five spice powder with its tasty combination of rich, warm spices. You’ll notice ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper, making it a solid substitute for Chinese 5 spice.
Expert Tips
- 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.
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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 the 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 taste. The star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel create a balanced spice blend that’s sweet and savory with a touch of spice and 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.
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 down the cinnamon stick, then combine it with the other ingredients in a skillet. Dry roast the whole spices in a small skillet for 2-3 minutes over medium heat to draw out the flavor and aroma of the whole spices.
- Let the ingredients cool, add transfer them to a spice grinder in batches; blend until fine.
- Stir in the ground ginger and add 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.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
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.