🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Caper Substitutes: for Piccata, Pasta & More Guide

Find the best substitutes for capers in chicken piccata, pasta, salads, and more. Learn about brined alternatives, flavor profiles, and how to recreate that signature caper taste.

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Quick Answer

The best caper substitutes are Green Olives, Cornichons, and Green Peppercorns. For chicken piccata, use Green Olives or Cornichons. For pasta and salads, try Green Peppercorns or Dill Pickles. Use 1:1 ratio for most substitutes.

Best Substitutes

Green Olives

1:1

Green olives are the closest substitute for capers, offering similar briny, salty flavor and texture. They work perfectly in chicken piccata, pasta dishes, and salads.

Best for:

chicken piccatapasta dishessaladswhen you want briny flavorMediterranean cooking

Green olives provide the same briny, salty punch as capers. Chop them roughly to match caper size for best results.

Cornichons

1:1

Cornichons (small pickled cucumbers) provide similar briny, tangy flavor to capers. They're perfect for piccata sauces and pasta dishes where you want that acidic bite.

Best for:

chicken piccatasauceswhen you want tangy flavorpasta dishestartar sauce

Cornichons are slightly larger than capers, so chop them to match the size. They provide similar acidity and brininess.

Green Peppercorns

1:1

Green peppercorns in brine provide similar briny flavor with a slight peppery kick. They work well in sauces and dishes where you want both saltiness and mild heat.

Best for:

sauceswhen you want peppery flavorpasta dishesmarinadeswhen you want mild heat

Green peppercorns are slightly spicier than capers but provide similar briny flavor. Use the brined variety for best results.

Dill Pickles

1:1

Dill pickles chopped small provide similar tangy, briny flavor to capers. They work well in salads, tartar sauce, and pasta dishes.

Best for:

saladstartar saucepasta disheswhen you want dill flavorsandwiches

Chop dill pickles to match caper size. They provide similar acidity but with a dill flavor that capers don't have.

Anchovies

1/2:1

Anchovies provide similar salty, umami flavor to capers but with a fishy taste. They work well in pasta dishes and sauces where you want that salty punch.

Best for:

pasta dishessauceswhen you want umami flavorpizzawhen you want fishy flavor

Use half the amount of anchovies as you would capers, as they're more intense. They provide saltiness but with a fishy flavor.

Pickled Onions

1:1

Pickled onions provide similar acidity and tang to capers. They work well in salads and dishes where you want that pickled flavor without the brininess.

Best for:

saladswhen you want tangy flavorsandwicheswhen you want pickled flavorMediterranean dishes

Pickled onions provide acidity but lack the briny saltiness of capers. They're good for adding tang without the salt.

Thyme

1/4:1

Fresh thyme provides a different but complementary flavor to capers. It works well in chicken piccata and other dishes where you want herbal notes.

Best for:

chicken piccatawhen you want herbal flavorsaucesmarinadeswhen you want fresh herbs

Use much less thyme than capers as it's more concentrated. It provides herbal flavor but lacks the brininess of capers.

Lemon Zest

1:1

Lemon zest provides similar acidity and brightness to capers. It works well in chicken piccata and pasta dishes where you want that citrusy tang.

Best for:

chicken piccatapasta disheswhen you want citrus flavorsauceswhen you want brightness

Lemon zest provides acidity and brightness but lacks the saltiness and brininess of capers. It's a good flavor enhancer.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For chicken piccata, green olives or cornichons work best as they provide the most similar flavor profile
  • 💡When substituting in pasta dishes, green peppercorns or chopped green olives maintain the briny flavor
  • 💡For tartar sauce, dill pickles or cornichons work well as they provide similar tanginess
  • 💡In salads, pickled onions or chopped green olives can replace capers effectively
  • 💡For a vegetarian option, use green olives or cornichons instead of anchovies
  • 💡When using anchovies as a substitute, use half the amount as they're more intense
  • 💡Thyme works well in chicken piccata but provides herbal flavor rather than brininess
  • 💡Lemon zest adds brightness and acidity but lacks the saltiness of capers

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for capers in chicken piccata?

Green olives or cornichons are the best substitutes for capers in chicken piccata. They provide similar briny, salty flavor that's essential to the dish.

Can I substitute green olives for capers?

Yes, green olives are an excellent substitute for capers. Chop them roughly to match caper size and use them in a 1:1 ratio. They provide similar briny, salty flavor.

What can I use instead of capers in pasta?

For pasta dishes, you can use green peppercorns, chopped green olives, or cornichons. Each provides similar briny flavor that works well in pasta sauces.

Can I substitute anchovies for capers?

Yes, you can substitute anchovies for capers, but use half the amount as they're more intense. Anchovies provide similar saltiness but with a fishy flavor.

What's a good substitute for capers in tartar sauce?

For tartar sauce, dill pickles or cornichons work well as caper substitutes. They provide similar tanginess and texture that's perfect for tartar sauce.

How much thyme should I use to substitute for capers?

Use about 1/4 the amount of thyme as you would capers, as thyme is more concentrated. It provides herbal flavor but lacks the brininess of capers.

Can I substitute green peppercorns for capers?

Yes, green peppercorns in brine are a good substitute for capers. They provide similar briny flavor with a slight peppery kick.

What's the best vegetarian substitute for capers?

Green olives, cornichons, or pickled onions are the best vegetarian substitutes for capers. They provide similar briny, tangy flavor without any animal products.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for capers in chicken piccata, pasta, salads, and more. Learn about brined alternatives, flavor profiles, and how to recreate that signature caper taste.