Ras el hanout substitutes
Ras el hanout substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Garam masala
Same amount as the ras el hanout
Indian spice blend with similar warm, complex flavors.
The best substitutes for ras el hanout are garam masala, curry powder, or a homemade blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander.
- The tweak —
- Add a pinch of cinnamon if you want it sweeter.
- Best for —
- tagines
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ras el hanout |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garam masalatagines | Same amount |
| 2 | Curry powdertagines | Same amount |
| 3 | Homemade ras el hanoutauthentic Moroccan dishes | Same amount |
| 4 | Baharattagines | Same amount |
| 5 | Cumin + cinnamon + corianderbasic Moroccan dishes | 1:1:1 |
| 6 | Allspice + cumin + coriandertagines | 1:1:1 |
Garam masala
Warm, complex, aromatic
Indian spice blend with similar warm, complex flavors.
- Best for
- tagines, couscous, rice dishes, meat marinades
- Texture
- Ground spice blend
- Prep
- Add a pinch of cinnamon if you want it sweeter.
Very similar flavor profile with warm spices. May be slightly different in exact composition.
Curry powder
Warm, slightly earthy from turmeric
Spice blend with turmeric and warm spices.
- Best for
- tagines, rice dishes, vegetable dishes, when you want similar complexity
- Texture
- Ground spice blend
- Prep
- The turmeric will add a golden color.
Contains turmeric which ras el hanout doesn't, but has similar warm spice profile.
Homemade ras el hanout
Warm, complex, authentic
DIY blend of cinnamon, cumin, coriander, ginger, and other warm spices.
- Best for
- authentic Moroccan dishes, when you want exact flavor match, tagines, couscous
- Texture
- Ground spice blend
- Prep
- Mix equal parts cinnamon, cumin, coriander, ginger, and add smaller amounts of cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg.
Most authentic substitute. Can be customized to your taste preferences.
Baharat
Warm, aromatic, similar complexity
Middle Eastern spice blend with similar warm spices.
- Best for
- tagines, rice dishes, meat dishes, when you want Middle Eastern flavor
- Texture
- Ground spice blend
- Prep
- Very close to ras el hanout in flavor.
Very similar to ras el hanout but may include different proportions of spices.
Cumin + cinnamon + coriander
Warm, aromatic, simpler than full blend
Simple blend of the three main spices in ras el hanout.
- Best for
- basic Moroccan dishes, when you want simple substitution, rice dishes, vegetable dishes
- Texture
- Ground spice blend
- Prep
- Mix equal parts ground cumin, cinnamon, and coriander. Add a pinch of ginger if desired.
Simpler version but captures the main flavor profile. Add ginger for more complexity.
Allspice + cumin + coriander
Warm, sweet, aromatic
Alternative blend with allspice for warmth.
- Best for
- tagines, when you want warm, sweet notes, meat dishes, rice dishes
- Texture
- Ground spice blend
- Prep
- Mix equal parts ground allspice, cumin, and coriander. Add cinnamon for sweetness.
Allspice adds warmth and sweetness. Good for dishes that benefit from those notes.
Questions
4 questionsWhat spices are typically in ras el hanout?
Ras el hanout typically includes cinnamon, cumin, coriander, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and sometimes rose petals or other aromatic ingredients. The exact blend varies by region and family recipes.
Can I use garam masala instead of ras el hanout?
Yes, garam masala is an excellent substitute for ras el hanout. Both are warm spice blends with similar complexity, though garam masala may have slightly different proportions of spices.
How do I make ras el hanout at home?
Mix equal parts ground cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, then add smaller amounts of ginger, cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg. Toast the whole spices first, then grind for the best flavor.
What dishes use ras el hanout?
Ras el hanout is commonly used in Moroccan tagines, couscous, rice dishes, and meat marinades. It's also great for seasoning vegetables and adding complexity to soups and stews.
Tips for substituting ras el hanout
8 tips- Ras el hanout is essential for authentic Moroccan tagines
- Toast the spices lightly before grinding for deeper flavor
- Store in an airtight container away from heat and light
- Add towards the end of cooking to preserve aromatic qualities
- Works beautifully with lamb, chicken, and vegetables
- Can be used as a dry rub for meats before grilling
- Adds complexity to rice and couscous dishes
- Start with small amounts and adjust to taste