As fall nears, warming spices are finding their way into our foods, so it is important to make sure that you are using complementary spices that are tasty and match the seasons.
Adding spices to your food can make it more enjoyable and flavorful, but sometimes, you will need alternatives.
Cloves are a common spice to use in fall, but lots of people struggle to find it or dislike the taste.
If you cannot use cloves, you will need to find similar spices, so knowing which ones are best to use is important.
This article will take you through 5 substitutes for cloves so that you can see what spices you can use in replacement if you are unable to use them.
Find out more below for similar spices that will still warm you and represent fall!
Substitutes For Cloves
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a very common spice that is very easy to find in supermarkets, so you can easily purchase it.
It is not very sweet, so it can be used in lots of recipes and it will not overpower other flavors.
It can be used in savory dishes, desserts, and even drinks, so you can use cinnamon as a replacement for cloves in various dishes.
2. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie spice is a very popular spice that can be used in lots of desserts and drink recipes.
It is a blend of warming spices, including cloves, but it has a sweeter taste that is very popular in fall.
If you love pumpkin pie, using pumpkin pie spice can give you the same warm feeling in lots of other dishes.
Use it in potato dishes, pasta, pies, cakes, oats, and pancakes!
3. Cardamom
Cardamom can be found in the supermarket and is popular with people who find cloves too overpowering.
It has undertones of herbal and citrus flavors, so it pairs well with lots of different flavors as it is very complementary.
You can find cardamom in powder or pods, so it is up to you how you would prefer to use them.
4. Star Anise
Star anise has a strong flavor that is very distinctive, so it is perfect for those who find cloves too mild.
It has a sweet flavor that is popular to use in drinks and sweet treats, but it also has licorice undertones.
It is popular in stews, soups, cakes, and pancakes, so it can be used as a substitute for cloves in various dishes.
5. Nutmeg
Nutmeg provides a very warm flavor to a variety of dishes and it has a very similar flavor to cloves.
It has a stronger flavor, so it is perfect for people who want a more intense flavor in their food and drinks.
You can use nutmeg in both sweet and savory dishes, so it can be used as a substitute in almost anything.
Use the same amount of nutmeg as cloves that a recipe calls for, but use half if you find the flavor too strong.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there are lots of substitutes that you can use for cloves, it is just important that you are happy with the intensity level.
You can use less spice than the recipe calls for if you find them too overpowering, but it is up to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cinnamon Be Used For Sweet And Savory?
Yes, cinnamon can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Can You Buy Star Anise At The Supermarket?
Most supermarkets sell star anise, but you can get them from independent markets if necessary.
Is Pumpkin Pie Spice Only For Drinks?
You can use pumpkin pie spice in food as well as in drinks!
5 Substitutes For Cloves
Find 5 substitutes for cloves so that you can use them in recipes that are perfect for fall and that will provide you with flavors that are warm and tasty.
Ingredients
Directions
- Decided on what substitute you need
- Pick a substitute from the list above
- Read what you need to substitute with
- Create the recipe and enjoy
Recipe Video
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