Cardamom is a popular spice used in various cuisines around the world, particularly in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian dishes. Its unique flavor and aroma make it a staple ingredient in many recipes, but it’s not readily available.
We’ll explore five excellent substitutes for cardamom that can help you save your dish. We will discuss the taste, aroma, and uses of each substitute so that you can choose the one that best suits your recipes.
7 Best Cardamom Substitutes
Try these seven cardamom alternatives:
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a common household spice that makes an excellent substitute for cardamom. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly pungent flavor that closely resembles cardamom’s taste profile.
While cinnamon lacks the floral notes present in cardamom, it still provides a similar depth of flavor that can enhance any dish.
Use ground cinnamon as a 1:1 replacement for cardamom powder or add a cinnamon stick to simmering liquids such as soups, stews, or curries.
However, be cautious while using cinnamon as a substitute in baked goods, as its strong flavor may overpower other ingredients.
2. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is another versatile spice that can serve as a suitable alternative to cardamom. With its nutty, warm, and slightly sweet flavor, nutmeg complements both savory and sweet dishes.
Like cinnamon, nutmeg doesn’t have the same floral flavor found in cardamom, it shares a similar level of pungency and complexity.
When using nutmeg as a substitute for cardamom, start with a smaller quantity (about a quarter of a teaspoon per teaspoon of cardamom) and adjust according to your preference.
Nutmeg works well in baked goods, sauces, and meat-based dishes like stews and curries.
3. Allspice
Allspice is all spice.
Also known as Jamaica pepper, allspice combines the flavors of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This complex spice offers warmth, sweetness, and subtle earthy tones that mimic some aspects of cardamom’s flavor profile.
While allspice lacks cardamom’s distinct floral notes, it still delivers enough punch to elevate your dish.
To replace cardamom with allspice, use about half the amount called for in the recipe e.g., if the recipe calls for one teaspoon of cardamom, try using ½ teaspoon of allspice and gradually adjust according to taste.
4. Cloves
Cloves offer a strong and pungent flavor that makes them another suitable substitute for cardamom. They share a similar warm and aromatic quality, making them ideal for baking applications such as gingerbread or spiced cookies.
That being said, cloves possess a more potent and singularly identifiable flavor than cardamom, making them better suited as a supporting player rather than a leading role.
Start by adding small quantities of cloves (around ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon per teaspoon of cardamom) and modify accordingly based on your preferences.
To add, cloves work exceptionally well in braising liquids, rice dishes, and mulled drinks.
5. Ginger
Ginger might seem like an unlikely alternative for replacing cardamom, given their vastly different flavor profiles, but its sharp, zesty, and mildly spicy qualities can lend a refreshing twist to certain dishes where cardamom would typically feature prominently.
Fresh or dried ginger adds brightness and dimension without overwhelming the palate, especially when combined with other spices like cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg.
Note that ginger should only be considered a last resort when no other alternatives are available since it cannot fully capture cardamom’s nuanced essence.
Add grated fresh ginger or ground ginger to stir-fries, stews, or beverages as needed.
6. Nutmeg + Ginger
You can also use nutmeg and ginger together to substitute cardamom. Nutmeg adds a warm, nutty flavor to dishes, while ginger provides a spicy, pungent taste. When used in combination, they can create a flavor profile that’s similar to cardamom.
To substitute cardamom with nutmeg and ginger, use half the amount of cardamom and replace it with an equal amount of nutmeg and ginger combined. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cardamom, use half a teaspoon of nutmeg and half a teaspoon of ginger.
7. Star Anise
Star anise is a spice commonly used in Asian cuisines. It has a strong, licorice-like flavor and aroma. To substitute cardamom with star anise, use half the amount of cardamom and replace it with an equal amount of star anise. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cardamom, use half a teaspoon of star anise.
Wrap Up
Running out of cardamom doesn’t mean disaster for your dishes. By exploring these five cardamom substitutes – cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and ginger – you can salvage your dish and even discover new flavor combinations along the way.
Remember to always begin with smaller amounts and fine-tune according to taste, ensuring a harmonious balance between ingredients.
What does cardamom spice taste like?
Cardamom is a fragrant and pungent spice with a complex flavor profile. It has a sweet, floral, slightly citrusy, minty, and herbal taste all at once.
The flavor can be quite intense, so it’s often used in small quantities to add depth and aroma to both sweet and savory dishes.
There are two main types of cardamom: green (also known as true cardamom) and black (or brown). Green cardamom has a more delicate, fresh, and slightly fruity flavor compared to the earthier, smokier, and somewhat stronger flavor of black cardamom.
Both varieties leave a warm, tingly sensation on the tongue due to their essential oils.
If you don’t have cardamom, you can use the substitutes listed in this post. They’re cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, and a combination of nutmeg and ginger.