🌿 Spices & Herbs

Best Star Anise Substitutes for Pho: Complete Guide

Find the best substitutes for star anise in pho recipes. Learn proper ratios, techniques, and tips for perfect pho every time.

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Quick Answer

For pho, the best star anise substitutes are anise seeds, fennel seeds, or Chinese five-spice powder. Use 1:1 ratio for anise seeds and fennel seeds, or 1:1 for five-spice powder.

Best Substitutes

Anise Seeds

1:1

Similar spice with very similar licorice flavor. Perfect substitute for star anise in pho broth.

Best for:

pho brothVietnamese soupswhen you want similar flavorauthentic pho taste

Different form but very similar flavor. Use in equal amounts. Perfect for when you want the same licorice taste as star anise in pho.

Fennel Seeds

1:1

Similar spice with licorice-like flavor. Milder than star anise but works well in pho broth.

Best for:

pho brothVietnamese soupswhen you want milder flavorgentle pho taste

Milder flavor than star anise but similar licorice taste. Use in equal amounts. Perfect for when you want a gentler licorice flavor in pho.

Chinese Five-Spice Powder

1:1

Complex spice blend that includes star anise. Provides similar flavor with additional complexity to pho broth.

Best for:

pho brothVietnamese soupswhen you want complex flavorrich pho taste

Contains star anise plus other spices. Use in equal amounts. Perfect for when you want complex flavor in pho broth.

Cloves

1 star anise = 2-3 whole cloves

Warm, aromatic spice with different but complementary flavor. Good for when you want warmth in pho.

Best for:

pho brothVietnamese soupswhen you want warmtharomatic pho

Different flavor but adds warmth and complexity. Use 2-3 whole cloves per star anise. Perfect for adding warmth to pho broth.

Cinnamon

1 star anise = 1 inch cinnamon stick

Warm spice with sweet flavor. Different from star anise but adds warmth and sweetness to pho.

Best for:

pho brothVietnamese soupswhen you want sweetnesswarm pho

Different flavor but adds warmth and sweetness. Use 1 inch cinnamon stick per star anise. Perfect for adding warmth and sweetness to pho.

Licorice Root

1 star anise = 1 inch licorice root

Natural licorice flavor. Very similar to star anise but in root form, perfect for pho broth.

Best for:

pho brothVietnamese soupswhen you want natural licoriceherbal pho

Very similar flavor to star anise. Use 1 inch of root per star anise. Perfect for herbal pho broth with natural licorice flavor.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Star anise is essential for authentic pho broth flavor
  • 💡It's commonly used in pho broth along with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger
  • 💡Star anise has a strong, licorice-like flavor that pairs well with other pho spices
  • 💡Toast star anise briefly in a dry pan to enhance its flavor before adding to pho broth
  • 💡Remove star anise pods before serving pho as they're not meant to be eaten
  • 💡Store star anise in an airtight container away from light and heat
  • 💡Grind star anise pods in a spice grinder for ground star anise powder if needed
  • 💡Star anise works well in both beef and chicken pho broth

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best substitutes for star anise in pho recipes. Learn proper ratios, techniques, and tips for perfect pho every time.