Out of Coriander, one case
Coriander substitute for ground, seeds & fresh
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Cumin
Same amount as the coriander
The best coriander substitutes are Cumin (1:1), Caraway Seeds (1:1), and Parsley + Cumin (1:1 + ½ tsp). For ground coriander, use ground cumin. For fresh coriander, use parsley or cilantro. For seeds, use caraway or fennel seeds.
- Best for —
- curry
One casethe full coriander card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of coriander |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumincurry | Same amount |
| 2 | Caraway seedspickling | Same amount |
| 3 | Parsley + cuminfresh coriander substitute | Same amountPlus ½ tsp |
| 4 | Fennel seedspickling | Same amount |
| 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 has a stronger, more intense flavor than coriander, so you might want to use slightly less. It works well in both ground and seed form.
Caraway seeds
citrusy and slightly sweet · similar texture
Caraway seeds are an excellent substitute for coriander seeds. They have a similar citrusy, slightly sweet flavor and work well in pickling, bread, and European dishes.
- Best for
- pickling, bread, European cooking, coriander seeds substitute, when you need seed form
Caraway seeds have a slightly different flavor profile but work well as a coriander seed substitute. They're good for 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 work well as a substitute for coriander seeds. They have a similar licorice-like flavor and work well in pickling, bread, and Mediterranean dishes.
- Best for
- pickling, bread, Mediterranean cooking, coriander seeds substitute, when you need seed form
Fennel seeds have a stronger licorice flavor than coriander, so use sparingly. 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 coriander are the same plant, so this is the most authentic substitute. Use fresh cilantro leaves for the best flavor.
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 use slightly less as it's stronger
- For pickling, caraway seeds or fennel seeds work best as coriander seed substitutes
- For bread recipes, caraway seeds provide similar flavor to coriander seeds
- 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, try using sumac as a coriander substitute
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for ground coriander?
Ground cumin is the best substitute for ground coriander. Use a 1:1 ratio, but you might want to use slightly less as cumin has a stronger flavor. It works well in curry, chili, and Middle Eastern dishes.
Can I use cilantro instead of coriander?
Yes, cilantro and coriander are actually the same plant - cilantro refers to the leaves and coriander refers to the seeds. Use fresh cilantro leaves as a substitute for fresh coriander leaves.
What can I substitute for coriander seeds?
The best substitutes for coriander seeds are caraway seeds or fennel seeds. Use a 1:1 ratio. 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. Use a 1:1 ratio but slightly less cumin as it 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 fresh parsley as the base and add ½ teaspoon of ground cumin for warmth.