Cooking Techniques
Replace the Job a Spice Was Doing, Not Its Name
A good substitution replaces the job a spice was doing, not its name, which is why one swap can need three ingredients. These guides give starting ratios for close to fifty spices, herbs, and blends, and say which corrections to make once you taste the result.
Substitutions 60 substitution guides in this collection
What to reach for when the jar is empty, with the ratio to start from.
-
Cayenne PepperHot paprika is the closest flexible cayenne…

-
Chinese Five Spice PowderThe closest Chinese five spice substitute is…

-
Tandoori MasalaThe quickest tandoori masala substitute is 2…

-
Jerk SeasoningThe best jerk seasoning substitute is a quick…

-
MaceNutmeg is the best mace substitute, at three…

-
Madras Curry PowderThe quickest Madras curry powder substitute…

-
Pickling SpiceFor a tablespoon of pickling spice in a…

-
Salad Supreme SeasoningThe closest Salad Supreme substitute is a…

-
Sazon SeasoningThe closest sazón substitute is a homemade…

-
Smoked PaprikaThe closest smoked paprika substitute is 3/4…

-
Taco SeasoningThe closest taco seasoning substitute is a…

-
TarragonFresh dill is the best tarragon substitute…

-
ZaatarThe best za'atar substitute is equal parts…

-
Aleppo PepperGochugaru is the closest Aleppo pepper…

-
AllspiceAllspice is a single dried berry, and the…

-
Ancho Chili PowderPasilla powder is the closest ancho chili…

-
Anise SeedFennel seed is the best anise seed…

-
Annatto SeedSweet paprika is the best annatto seed…

-
Apple Pie SpicePumpkin pie spice is the closest apple pie…

-
Baharat Spice BlendRas el hanout is the closest baharat…

-
BasilOregano is the best basil substitute for…

-
Bay LeafThyme is the best bay leaf substitute for…

-
Berbere SpiceHarissa paste is the closest berbere…

-
Black PepperWhite pepper is the closest black pepper…

-
Cajun SeasoningCreole seasoning is the closest Cajun…

-
Carom SeedDried thyme is the closest carom seed…

-
Celery SeedCelery salt is the closest celery seed…

-
Chili PowderThe best chili powder substitute is a quick…

-
Chipotle PowderThe best chipotle powder substitute is three…

-
ChiveThe green tops of scallions are the best…

-
CloveGround allspice is the best clove substitute…

-
Coriander SeedThe closest coriander seed substitute is two…

-
CuminFor most dishes, half a teaspoon of ground…

-
Curry LeafMakrut lime leaf is the closest curry leaf…

-
Dill WeedFresh dill is the best substitute for dried…

-
Fenugreek SeedYellow mustard seed is the best general…

-
GalangalFrozen galangal is the best substitute and…

-
Garam MasalaThe best garam masala substitute is a quick…

-
GingerFor fresh ginger in a cooked dish, use a…

-
GochugaruAleppo pepper is the closest gochugaru…

-
Grains Of ParadiseThe best grains of paradise substitute is…

-
Herbs De ProvenceThe best herbs de Provence substitute is a…

-
HorseradishPrepared wasabi is the fastest horseradish…

-
Kaffir Lime LeafFrozen or dried makrut lime leaves are the…

-
Kashmiri Chili PowderThe best Kashmiri chili powder substitute is…

-
Maggi SeasoningFor a teaspoon of Maggi liquid seasoning, mix…

-
MarjoramOregano is the closest marjoram substitute…

-
MintDried mint is the best mint substitute when…

-
PaprikaFor sweet paprika, a mild pure red pepper…

-
Pink PeppercornLightly cracked coriander seed is the best…

-
Poultry SeasoningThe best poultry seasoning substitute is half…

-
Pumpkin Pie SpiceThe closest pumpkin pie spice substitute is a…

-
Ras El HanoutThe most flexible ras el hanout substitute is…

-
RosemaryThyme is the best rosemary substitute for…

-
SaffronTurmeric is the easiest saffron substitute…

-
SageMarjoram is the best sage substitute for…

-
Thai BasilSweet basil is the best broad Thai basil…

-
WasabiPrepared horseradish is the easiest wasabi…

-
White PepperBlack pepper is the closest white pepper…

-
Mustard SeedAnother color of mustard seed is the closest…

Nothing at this heat level yet.
Techniques and how-tos 2 guides in this collection
The handling steps that decide how much flavour survives to the plate.

