Chinese 5 Spice Substitute

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?

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.

1. Fennel Seeds
2. Sichuan Peppercorns
3. Chinese Cinnamon
4. Star Anise
5. Black Cloves

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

More Chinese Recipes:

• Chongqing Chicken
• Yuxiang Eggplant (Sichuan Eggplant)
• Easy Vegetable Fried Rice