What is Chinese Five Spice (and 7 Best Substitutes)
on Apr 06, 2022
Chinese five-spice is a flavorful powder commonly found in Asian cuisine and rubs and marinades. If your recipe requires this spice but you don’t have it, this post will give you ideas for some great substitutes.
What is Chinese Five Spice?
Five-spice powder is a spice consisting of the combination of the five spices that are most used in essentially all areas of Chinese cuisine. Additionally, it is found in Hawaiian and Vietnamese cuisine.
The five flavors of the spices are a reference to the five traditional Chinese elements which are fire, water, wood, earth and metal.
In accordance with traditional Chinese medicine, the five elements are embedded in different parts of the body and if they become unbalanced, it can result in illness.
What is Chinese 5 Spice Made of?
The ingredients and amount of spices used depends on the region and even the household with an emphasis on personal tastes and preference. The most common of these ingredients include:
- Star Anise
- Fennel Seeds
- Szechuan Peppercorns
- Whole Cloves
- Cinnamon Stick
Best Substitutes for Chinese Five Spice
Although five-spice is certainly unique and delicious, it can always be substituted for something similar. You might actually be shocked to see how many options are available. Keep reading to find out what those are and how they can be used as an improvement to your dish.
Star Anise
Star anise is a popular spice that is well-known for its unique flavor that is spicy, sweet, and warm. In fact, its flavor resembles that of fennel seeds, clove, and licorice.
Star anise by itself is powerful but it can always be combined with onions, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon to improve its flavor even more.
Ratio: 1: 1 Substitution
Allspice
Since this spice has a flavor that is sweet and reminiscent of pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon, allspice will add an exotic twist to your dish. Allspice works well in any dish but it is popularly recommended in things like meat, soups, stews, marinades, and also desserts.
1 Tbsp of Chinese Five Spice = ½ Tbsp of Allspice
Garam Masala
Garam masala is a combination of ground spices and is an important staple of Indian cuisine. The ingredients of Garam Masala differ depending on the region but they will often feature black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, coriander, and cardamom. Other versions tend to include ingredients like bay leaves, fennel seeds, saffron, mace, and ginger.
1 Tbsp of Chinese Five Spice = ½ Tbsp of Garam Masala
Baharat
Baharat is a mixture of spices commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. It usually consists of seven main spices including cumin, paprika, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, cardamom, and black pepper. However, you can also find mint, sumac, turmeric, and chili peppers in Baharat depending on the region.
1 Tbsp of Chinese Five Spice = 1 Tbsp of Baharat
Za’atar
Za’atar is another combination of many spices and herbs that is well-known for its flavor which is citrusy and nutty. Although Za’atar recipes vary according to region, it most commonly features sumac, oregano, sesame seeds, salt, and thyme. Za’atar is perfect for dishes like rice, meat, and vegetables, but it also works great in dips, soups, dressings, and marinades.
Za’atar is interesting due to the fact that some versions of five-spice use it as one of their main ingredients. However, it is best to use this spice sparingly as it has quite a strong flavor.
1 Tbsp of Chinese Five Spice = ⅓ Tbsp of Za’atar
Sichuan Peppercorn
Ground fennel seeds and Sichuan peppercorn can be combined to create the perfect blend to replace Chinese five spice. It will add a sweet, citrusy, and bitter flavor that is quite close to that of five-spice.
1 Tbsp of Chinese Five Spice = ½ Tbsp of Ground Fennel Seeds + ½ Tbsp of Sichuan Peppercorn
Dillweed and Cinnamon
Dillweed and cinnamon can be a great alternative for Chinese five spice, especially since it is likely to already have them on hand. However, it will take a bit of work in order for them to properly compliment your dish.
Keep in mind that fresh dillweed cannot be added directly to your dish as it quickly goes limp and makes the dish less appetizing. It is better to chop it up and then gradually mix it into your dish. At the end, adding one or two cinnamon sticks will give your dish a pleasant flavor that is earthy and woody.
1 Tbsp of Chinese Five Spice = ½ Tbsp of Chopped Dillweed + 1 or 2 Cinnamon Sticks
How to Make Homemade Chinese Five Spice Powder
- Place all required spices into a spice or coffee grinder and grind until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Enjoy the mouth-watering aroma!
- Store your spice in an airtight jar and consume within 6 months for the best flavor.
Popular Dishes Using Chinese Five Spice
- Szechuan Sauce
- Szechuan Tofu and Veggie Stir-fry
- Vietnamese Beef
- Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowls
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Chinese Five Spice Powder Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 whole star anise pods
- 1 ½ teaspoon whole cloves, or 1 1/4 teaspoon ground
- 1 cinnamon stick, 3 inches long or two tablespoons ground
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
- 2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns, or sub 3 teaspoons regular peppercorns
Instructions
- Toast any dry whole spices in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.
- Place all the ingredients in a spice (or coffee) grinder and grind until it becomes smooth.
- Enjoy the wonderful smell.
- Store your homemade goodness in a sealed, airtight spice jar and use within 6 months for the best flavor.
Notes
- You will create a more fragrant and stronger flavor by lightly toasting the whole seeds/pods in a dry skillet.
- If necessary, you could sub 1 tablespoon anise seeds for anise pods but the flavor will not be quite the same.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
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