Allspice berries are the dried fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant, native to the West Indies and Central America. The English coined the name ” allspice ” in the 1600s because the berry’s flavor is similar to a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
It is often used to add depth of flavor to savory dishes like stews and curries. While allspice is commonly used in baking and cooking, it can also be used to make various beverages.
Also known as Jamaican pepper, myrtle pepper, or pimenta; allspice has a warm, spicy flavor with an overwhelming aroma.
But what to do when you are making a recipe that calls for allspice but it isn’t available? Well, in that case, you need a perfect alternative to allspice berries.
Some of the best substitutes for allspice berries are nutmeg, Cinnamon, cloves, apple pie spice, five-spice powder, star anise, etc.
Outline
9 Best Substitutes For Allspice Berries
1. Allspice Powder or Extract
Allspice powder is made by grinding up allspice berries. It is the most common form of allspice and should be one of the first choices of substitution for allspice berries. You can also use allspice extract, which is a concentrated form of allspice flavor. Start with a little bit and add more to taste.
How to Substitute: If you’re using allspice powder, you’ll want to use about 1/4 teaspoon for every 1 teaspoon of allspice berries. For allspice extract, you’ll want to use about 1/8 teaspoon for every 1 teaspoon of allspice berries.
2. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a spice that comes from the same plant as mace. If you’re looking for a substitution for allspice berries that is widely available, nutmeg is a great option. It has a warm, spicy flavor that is similar to allspice. You can find nutmeg in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
How to Substitute: For every 1 teaspoon of allspice berries, you’ll want to use about 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and you can always add more as per taste.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. It has a sweet and woody flavor with hints of citrus. While it’s not an exact match for allspice, it can be used as a substitution in a pinch.
How to Substitute: For every 1 teaspoon of allspice berries, you’ll want to use about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. You can add more as per taste.
4. Cloves
The kitchen of India and Indonesia offers us the first allspice alternative. Cloves are the bloom buds of an evergreen tree that is indigenous to these two countries and is regularly utilized in regional cuisine. Cloves are ideal for conjuring up warm wintertime memories instead of allspice berries, which have a milder flavor.
Cloves are a great substitute for allspice berries in recipes. They have a similar flavor but are stronger, so you may want to use less of them in your recipe. Just use half as many cloves as you would allspice berries, and you’ll get a similar flavor.
How to Substitute: For every 1 teaspoon of allspice berries, you’ll want to use about 1/2 teaspoon of cloves. You can add more until it tastes to your liking.
5. Pumpkin Pie Spice + Pepper
Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of spices typically used to flavor pumpkin pie. It usually includes Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Ginger. If you don’t have allspice berries on hand, you can use a combination of pumpkin pie spice and pepper as a substitute. This will give you the same flavor as if you had used allspice berries.
So if you’re in a pinch, this is a great way to still make your favorite recipes that call for allspice berries.
How to Substitute: Mix together 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper to get the same flavor profile.
6. Apple Pie Spice
Apple pie spice is a mixture of ground spices that is used in baked goods, such as pies, muffins, and cakes. You can use this option to prepare all your favorite sweet delights, but it won’t work well if you want to cook something savory.The most common spices in apple pie spice are cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves which give a flavor similar to allspice.
When substituting apple pie spice for allspice, use about half as much of the blend as you would allspice berries.
How to Substitute: If a recipe calls for one teaspoon of allspice berries, use 1/2 teaspoon of apple pie spice.
7. Star Anise
Star anise can be a good option if you are looking for a substitute for allspice. Although they have different flavors, they share some similar characteristics. For example, both spices have a warm and slightly sweet taste.
When substituting star anise for allspice, it is important to remember that the former is much more potent than the latter. As such, you must use less star anise than allspice to achieve the desired flavor. Additionally, star anise has a stronger licorice flavor than allspice.
How to Substitute: If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of allspice berries, use 1/2 teaspoon of star anise.
8. Five Spice Powder
Five-spice powder is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. It is used extensively in Chinese cooking but can also be used in other dishes.
Five-spice powder is a good substitute for allspice. It has a slightly different flavor but it will work in a pinch. So, if you don’t have allspice on hand, try the five-spice powder. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Because it improves any dish by ten times, this powder is also known as “wonder powder.”
How to Substitute: Replace “1 teaspoon of allspice” with “0.5 teaspoons of five-spice powder” in the given recipe.
9. British Mixed Spice
Let’s now discuss a substitute spice mixture that could be used in place of the allspice berries. This British mixed spice is made naturally by combining the most widely used spices in the UK. It contains allspice, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nutmeg. When you are making delicious sweet delights for your loved ones, there is another option that works beautifully.
How to Substitute:- Instead of allspice berries, use an equal amount of British mixed spice.
10. Black Peppercorns
Let’s speak about something you may use in savory recipes because we have discussed a number of allspice berry substitutes for sweet sweets. Black peppercorns are slightly sweet and tart, making them the ideal component to add to savory dishes. However, keep in mind that they won’t function as effectively in desserts.
How to Substitute:- Use only half as much black peppercorns to substitute allspice berries because they have a stronger flavor.
11. DIY Spice Blend
If you don’t have any allspice on hand or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can easily make your own allspice substitute with this DIY spice blend.
Simply combine 1¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg, 3½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, and a pinch of ground cloves, and you’re good to go! This blend will work well in any recipe that calls for allspice, so feel free to get creative with it.
How to Substitute: For every 6 allspice berries, use ¼ to ½ teaspoon of your DIY blend.
When substituting allspice, remember that it is a very potent spice. A little goes a long way, so you may want to start with less than you think you need and then add more to taste.
Have you ever used substitutes for allspice berries? Share your favorite allspice substitute in the comments below!
Looking for more spice substitution ideas? Check out our post on substituting pumpkin pie spice.
