Chinese Five Spice Substitute
Looking for a Chinese five spice substitute but don’t want to run to the store? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re cooking a stir-fry, roast duck, or a quick marinade, I’ve got easy replacements using spices you probably already have in your pantry.
What is Chinese Five Spice?
Chinese five spice is a bold, fragrant blend of spices traditionally made from star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon (or cassia), Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It’s known for hitting all five basic tastes—sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami—in a single spoonful. A little goes a long way, and it’s most often used to flavor meats like roasted duck, pork belly, or braised dishes. You’ll also find it in popular Vietnamese recipes like banh mi thit nuong, bun thit nuong, lemongrass chicken, or even baked into savory pastries like pâté chaud.
If you’re in the middle of cooking and realize you’re out, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to mimic that warm, slightly sweet, licorice-forward flavor with just a few common spices.
Best Substitutes for Chinese Five Spice
Here are the best Chinese five spice substitutes that come pretty close in flavor and will still give your dish the aromatic depth you’re looking for:
1. Cinnamon + Cloves
This simple combo brings the warmth and sweet spice you need.
Use: ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ground cloves = 1 teaspoon five spice.
It won’t have the licorice notes, but it’s perfect for marinades or quick stir-fries.
2. Cinnamon + Star Anise + Ground Fennel
This is your best bet if you want a closer flavor match.
Use:
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground star anise
- ¼ tsp ground fennel
Mix together for 1 tsp substitute. This mix captures the sweetness and licorice-like aroma that five spice is known for.
3. Allspice
Allspice has a sweet, clove-like flavor that works in a pinch.
Use: 1:1 ratio for five spice.
Keep in mind, it lacks the complexity but adds warmth and depth—great for braised or roasted meats.
4. Garam Masala
If you cook a lot of Indian food, you likely have this on hand.
Use: 1:1 ratio.
It’s more peppery and earthy, but similar enough in flavor and spice profile that it works well in hearty, savory dishes.
5. Anise Seeds (plus cinnamon or fennel)
Anise seeds offer that distinct licorice flavor found in five spice.
Use:
- ½ tsp ground anise seeds
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon or fennel
This combo leans toward the sweeter side but adds a similar punch in flavor.
FAQ About Chinese Five Spice
It’s warm, sweet, slightly bitter, and aromatic. You’ll notice licorice from the star anise and fennel, plus peppery and sweet notes from cinnamon and cloves.
Pumpkin spice shares some spices like cinnamon and cloves, but it’s too sweet and doesn’t include the licorice or peppery notes. Use it only as a last resort—and dial back the sugar in your recipe.
Not in a hot pepper kind of way—it’s more about warmth and aroma. Sichuan peppercorns give it a numbing tingle, but the blend is more fragrant than spicy.
Yes! Toast equal parts of whole cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, cloves, and Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan, then grind to a fine powder.
