Out of Coriander, one case
Coriander substitute for ground, seeds & fresh
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Cumin
½ tsp for every 1 tsp of coriander
The best coriander substitutes are cumin (start with half the amount), caraway seeds (start with half), and parsley with a pinch of cumin (the same amount of parsley). For ground coriander, use ground cumin. Fresh coriander and cilantro are the same herb; with neither, use parsley. For seeds, use caraway or fennel seeds.
- Best for —
- curry
One casethe full coriander card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 tsp coriander |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumincurry | ½ tsp |
| 2 | Caraway seedspickling | ½ tsp |
| 3 | Parsley + cuminfresh coriander substitute | Same amountPlus a pinch of ground cumin |
| 4 | Fennel seedspickling | ½ tsp |
| 5 | Cilantrofresh coriander substitute | Same amountWorks |
Cumin
warm and earthy · similar texture
Cumin is the most common substitute for coriander, especially ground coriander. It has a similar warm, earthy flavor and works well in most recipes. It's good for curry, chili, and Middle Eastern dishes.
- Best for
- curry, chili, Middle Eastern cooking, ground coriander substitute, general cooking
Cumin is stronger and earthier than coriander and has none of its citrus, so start with half the amount and add more to taste. It works in both ground and seed form.
Caraway seeds
sharper and anise-like, with some citrus · similar texture
Caraway seeds can stand in for coriander seeds. They share some of coriander's citrus notes but are sharper and more anise-like, and they work well in pickling, bread, and European dishes.
- Best for
- pickling, bread, European cooking, coriander seeds substitute, when you need seed form
Caraway is stronger than coriander, so start with half the amount and add more to taste. It suits pickling and bread recipes.
Parsley + cumin
fresh and slightly warm · similar texture
Combining parsley with a small amount of cumin creates a good substitute for fresh coriander. This combination provides the herbal freshness of coriander with some of its warm spice notes.
- Best for
- fresh coriander substitute, garnishing, when you want herbal freshness, soups, salads
Use fresh parsley as the base and add a small amount of ground cumin for warmth. This works well for garnishing and fresh applications.
Fennel seeds
licorice-like · similar texture
Fennel seeds can stand in for coriander seeds. They are sweeter and taste of licorice, which coriander does not, so they change the dish; they work in pickling, bread, and Mediterranean dishes.
- Best for
- pickling, bread, Mediterranean cooking, coriander seeds substitute, when you need seed form
Fennel seeds have a licorice flavor that coriander lacks, so start with half the amount and add more to taste. They work well in pickling and bread recipes.
Cilantro
identical taste and texture
Cilantro is actually the same plant as coriander - the leaves are called cilantro and the seeds are called coriander. Use cilantro leaves as a substitute for fresh coriander leaves.
- Best for
- fresh coriander substitute, garnishing, soups, salads, when you want fresh herb
Cilantro and fresh coriander are the same leaves under two names, so use the same amount. This is for the fresh herb only: the leaves do not replace ground coriander or coriander seeds, which taste different.
How it behaves in this recipe
Coriander is used in many forms - ground coriander, coriander seeds, and fresh coriander leaves. The best substitute depends on the form you need and the recipe. Ground coriander is best replaced with ground cumin, seeds with caraway or fennel seeds, and fresh leaves with cilantro or parsley.
Tips for substituting coriander
7 tips- For ground coriander, use ground cumin as the best substitute
- For coriander seeds, use caraway seeds or fennel seeds
- For fresh coriander, use cilantro leaves (they're the same plant)
- When substituting in curry, cumin works well but start with half the amount as it's stronger
- For pickling, caraway seeds or fennel seeds work best as coriander seed substitutes
- For bread recipes, caraway seeds can stand in for coriander seeds at half the amount
- For garnishing, use fresh cilantro or parsley with a pinch of cumin
Notes on coriander
- For a different flavor profile, try using ground cardamom mixed with cumin
- For pickling, use dill seeds as an alternative to coriander seeds
- For bread recipes, try using anise seeds instead of coriander seeds
- For fresh applications, try using a combination of parsley and mint
- For Middle Eastern dishes, a pinch of sumac adds a lemony note, though it does not replace coriander's warmth
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for ground coriander?
Ground cumin is the best substitute for ground coriander. Start with half the amount and add more to taste, as cumin has a stronger flavor. It works well in curry, chili, and Middle Eastern dishes.
Can I use cilantro instead of coriander?
Only for the fresh herb. Cilantro and coriander are the same plant - in the US cilantro refers to the leaves and coriander to the seeds - so cilantro leaves are fresh coriander leaves, in the same amount. The leaves do not replace ground coriander or coriander seeds, which taste different.
What can I substitute for coriander seeds?
The best substitutes for coriander seeds are caraway seeds or fennel seeds. Start with half the amount, since both are stronger than coriander, and add more to taste. Caraway seeds work well in pickling and bread, while fennel seeds work well in Mediterranean dishes.
What's a good substitute for coriander in curry?
For curry, ground cumin is the best substitute for ground coriander. Start with half the amount and add more to taste, as cumin has a stronger flavor. You can also add a small amount of ground fennel for complexity.
Can I substitute parsley for coriander?
Yes, parsley can substitute for fresh coriander, especially when combined with a small amount of ground cumin. Use the same amount of fresh parsley and add a pinch of ground cumin for warmth.