Substitutes, ratios and notes for forty common spices, herbs and blends, grouped by the kind of flavor they bring.
| Missing | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Allspice + nutmeg, or cardamom |
| Basil | Oregano, thyme, or marjoram |
| Cumin | Coriander + caraway, or fennel seeds |
| Cayenne | Red pepper flakes, or paprika + chili powder |
| Turmeric | Saffron + ginger, or curry powder |
| Oregano | Marjoram, thyme, or basil |
| Spice | Substitutes | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Allspice + nutmeg; Cardamom; Cloves | 1:1 | Use less cloves as they are stronger |
| Nutmeg | Mace; Allspice; Cinnamon + cloves | 1:1 | Mace is the outer covering of nutmeg |
| Allspice | Cinnamon + nutmeg + cloves; Cloves + cinnamon | 1:1 | Mix equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves |
| Cardamom | Cinnamon + nutmeg; Ginger + cinnamon | 1:1 | Green cardamom is most common |
| Cloves | Allspice; Cinnamon + nutmeg | 1/2 tsp cloves = 1 tsp allspice | Use sparingly as cloves are very strong |
| Ginger (ground) | Fresh ginger (3x amount); Allspice; Cinnamon + nutmeg | 1 tsp ground = 1 tbsp fresh | Fresh ginger is more pungent |
| Mace | Nutmeg; Allspice; Cinnamon + nutmeg | 1:1 | Mace is milder than nutmeg |
| Spice | Substitutes | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Oregano; Thyme; Marjoram | 1:1 | Fresh basil is more aromatic than dried |
| Oregano | Marjoram; Thyme; Basil | 1:1 | Marjoram is milder than oregano |
| Thyme | Oregano; Marjoram; Rosemary | 1:1 | Rosemary is stronger, use less |
| Rosemary | Thyme; Oregano; Sage | 1:1 | Sage has a different flavor profile |
| Sage | Thyme; Marjoram; Rosemary | 1:1 | Sage is very strong, use sparingly |
| Parsley | Cilantro; Chervil; Basil | 1:1 | Cilantro has a different flavor |
| Cilantro | Parsley; Basil; Mint | 1:1 | Parsley is milder |
| Dill | Fennel fronds; Tarragon; Parsley | 1:1 | Fennel fronds have similar anise flavor |
| Tarragon | Fennel fronds; Anise; Dill | 1:1 | Anise seeds have similar licorice flavor |
| Marjoram | Oregano; Thyme; Basil | 1:1 | Oregano is stronger than marjoram |
| Spice | Substitutes | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne pepper | Red pepper flakes; Paprika + chili powder; Hot sauce | 1:1 | Red pepper flakes are less intense |
| Chili powder | Cayenne + paprika + cumin; Chipotle powder; Ancho powder | 1:1 | Mix cayenne, paprika, and cumin |
| Paprika | Cayenne + bell pepper; Chili powder; Pimento | 1:1 | Sweet paprika is mild, hot paprika is spicy |
| Black pepper | White pepper; Cayenne; Red pepper flakes | 1:1 | White pepper is hotter but less aromatic |
| White pepper | Black pepper; Cayenne; Ginger | 1:1 | Black pepper has more flavor |
| Red pepper flakes | Cayenne pepper; Chili powder; Hot sauce | 1:1 | Cayenne is more intense |
| Jalapeño powder | Cayenne; Chili powder; Chipotle powder | 1:1 | Chipotle is smoked and hotter |
| Spice | Substitutes | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumin | Coriander + caraway; Fennel seeds; Anise | 1:1 | Coriander and caraway together mimic cumin |
| Coriander | Cumin + fennel; Caraway; Fennel seeds | 1:1 | Fennel seeds have similar citrus notes |
| Fennel seeds | Anise seeds; Cumin; Dill seeds | 1:1 | Anise seeds are very similar |
| Anise seeds | Fennel seeds; Star anise; Licorice root | 1:1 | Star anise is stronger |
| Star anise | Anise seeds; Fennel seeds; Licorice | 1 star = 1/2 tsp anise seeds | Use whole or ground |
| Caraway | Cumin; Fennel seeds; Dill seeds | 1:1 | Cumin has similar earthy notes |
| Mustard seeds | Mustard powder; Horseradish; Wasabi | 1:1 | Mustard powder is more convenient |
| Poppy seeds | Sesame seeds; Chia seeds; Hemp seeds | 1:1 | Sesame seeds have similar crunch |
| Spice | Substitutes | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turmeric | Saffron + ginger; Curry powder; Ginger + paprika | 1:1 | Saffron is much more expensive |
| Saffron | Turmeric + paprika; Annatto; Safflower | 1 pinch = 1/4 tsp turmeric | Very expensive, use sparingly |
| Sumac | Lemon zest + salt; Tamarind; Lemon juice | 1:1 | Lemon zest provides similar tang |
| Za'atar | Thyme + sesame + sumac; Oregano + sesame; Marjoram + sesame | 1:1 | Mix thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac |
| Garam masala | Cumin + coriander + cardamom + cinnamon; Curry powder; Allspice + cloves | 1:1 | Complex blend of warm spices |
| Curry powder | Garam masala + turmeric; Cumin + coriander + turmeric; Chili powder + turmeric | 1:1 | Garam masala is the base |
| Fenugreek | Maple syrup; Celery seeds; Fennel seeds | 1:1 | Maple syrup mimics fenugreek's sweetness |
| Asafoetida | Garlic + onion powder; Leek powder; Shallot powder | 1/4 tsp = 1 clove garlic | Very pungent, use sparingly |