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Chinese 5 Spice powder on a spoon.

Chinese 5 Spice Substitute

Tressa Jamil
Need Chinese five spice powder? Here are my suggestions for choosing the BEST Chinese 5 spice substitute when you don't have it in your pantry.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Spice Blends
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 8 Tablespoons
Calories 21 kcal
Ingredients
  
  • 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
Instructions
 
  • 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.
Notes
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.
Nutrition Disclosure:
  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Tablespoon | Calories: 21 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 5 mg | Sodium: 50 mg | Potassium: 44 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 2 mg | Iron: 4 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!