Out of Capers, one case
Caper substitutes for piccata, pasta & more
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Green olives
Same amount as the capers
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.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- chicken piccata
One casethe full capers card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of capers | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green oliveschicken piccata | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Cornichonschicken piccata | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Green peppercornssauces | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Dill picklessalads | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Anchoviespasta dishes | ½ × the amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 6 | Pickled onionssalads | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 7 | Thymechicken piccata | ¼ × the amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 8 | Lemon zestchicken piccata | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Green olives
similar taste and texture
Green olives are the closest substitute for capers, offering similar briny, salty flavor and texture. They work well in chicken piccata, pasta dishes, and salads.
- Best for
- chicken piccata, pasta dishes, salads, when you want briny flavor, Mediterranean cooking
Green olives provide the same briny, salty punch as capers. Chop them roughly to match caper size for best results.
Cornichons
similar taste and texture
Cornichons (small pickled cucumbers) provide similar briny, tangy flavor to capers. They're good for piccata sauces and pasta dishes where you want that acidic bite.
- Best for
- chicken piccata, sauces, when you want tangy flavor, pasta dishes, tartar sauce
Cornichons are slightly larger than capers, so chop them to match the size. They provide similar acidity and brininess.
Green peppercorns
similar taste and texture
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
- sauces, when you want peppery flavor, pasta dishes, marinades, when 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
different taste, similar texture
Dill pickles chopped small provide similar tangy, briny flavor to capers. They work well in salads, tartar sauce, and pasta dishes.
- Best for
- salads, tartar sauce, pasta dishes, when you want dill flavor, sandwiches
Chop dill pickles to match caper size. They provide similar acidity but with a dill flavor that capers don't have.
Anchovies
different taste and texture
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 dishes, sauces, when you want umami flavor, pizza, when 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
different taste and texture
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
- salads, when you want tangy flavor, sandwiches, when you want pickled flavor, Mediterranean dishes
Pickled onions provide acidity but lack the briny saltiness of capers. They're good for adding tang without the salt.
Thyme
different taste and texture
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 piccata, when you want herbal flavor, sauces, marinades, when 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
different taste and texture
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 piccata, pasta dishes, when you want citrus flavor, sauces, when you want brightness
Lemon zest provides acidity and brightness but lacks the saltiness and brininess of capers. It's a good flavor enhancer.
How it behaves in this recipe
Capers are small, brined flower buds that add salty, tangy flavor to dishes. When substituting, consider both the briny saltiness and the acidic tang that capers provide. The recommended substitutes work because they offer similar flavor profiles while maintaining the dish's intended taste.
Tips for substituting capers
8 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
Notes on capers
- For brined capers, use other brined vegetables like pickled green beans or pickled asparagus
- For caper berries, use large green olives or pickled green tomatoes
- For non-pareil capers, use the smallest green olives you can find
- For salt-packed capers, rinse and use green olives or cornichons
- For caper leaves, use fresh herbs like oregano or marjoram
Questions
8 questionsWhat'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 good for tartar sauce.
How much thyme should I use to substitute for capers?
Use about ¼ 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.