9 Cardamom Substitutes & 5 Great Sub Combos
Quite the powerhouse when it comes to flavor, cardamom is one of those versatile spices that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. But since it’s so special, is there a way to mimic its taste and aroma? We have 9 cardamom substitutes and some spice combos! Each one more aromatic than the next!
Cardamom is a star in curries, baked goods, bread, marinades, soups, broths, cakes, ice cream, tea, fish, and meats. While it’s a regular in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Arabic cuisines, cardamom can sometimes be hard to find or quite expensive in other regions. For these kinds of situations, we’ve put together some replacements.
Some people are not great fans of this spice, while others can’t stop cooking with it. Here we address both positions with some suggestions of spices that can replace cardamom. Whether you’ve finished your batch, or you simply reject recipes cardamom is on the list of ingredients, there are ways around this aromatic spice. Here is how to substitute cardamom!
All about cardamom & its complex flavor profile
Cardamom offers a lot of diversity when it comes to flavor. Its fragrance is so distinctive you can’t possibly miss it. But before we get to all the cardamom alternatives, we should get more familiar with the spice and look at all the types out there, the difference between them and their flavor profile.
- Cardamom seeds, pods, ground powder
The queen of spices, cardamom can be found as pods. Inside the pods, you can find the dark-colored seeds. The seeds can be used whole or ground into a powder. You can use powder as a cardamom pod substitute and vice-versa.
We recommend you use half the amount of cardamom seeds for the quantity of ground cardamom the recipe asks for. Cardamom seeds (being protected by the pods) keep their aromas intact for longer, while the powder should be used as quickly as possible because long storage can alter its flavors.
Ratio: 10 cardamom pods = ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder.
- Types of cardamom
How can you find a black cardamom or green cardamom substitute if you don’t know the differences between them? What type of cardamom does your recipe ask for? Why? Well, there are three types of cardamom: black, green, and white. However, you can mostly use them interchangeably.
- Green cardamom is the youngest, being harvested before it reaches maturity. Its seeds are cured.
- Black cardamom is harvested at maturity and its seeds are dried over a fire.
- Green and white cardamom can replace one another.
- White cardamom is the blandest, most neutral of them all.
- Black cardamom is ideal in savory dishes, not so much in desserts. It can be swapped in 1:1 ratios with the other types of cardamom.
- Cardamom flavor profile
It can be hard to get the perfect combination of flavors to replicate cardamom. But there are some ingredients that can mimic this aromatic wonder!
- Cardamom is both spicy and sweet when it comes to taste.
- Cardamom has a citrusy undertone.
- Cardamom has a herbal vibe and a floral aroma.
- Cardamom has an earthy, nutty flavor.
- Cardamom leaves a warming feel.
- Cardamom has minty, fresh undertones.
- Black cardamom also packs a smoky undertone and an anise-like vibe.
All the cardamom substitutes that matter
When looking for cardamom substitutes, it is important to take your recipe into consideration. For instance, meaty dishes require cardamom for its heat and spicy taste, and all the warmth it packs. For sweets, baked goods, and bread, cardamom is added for its sweet aroma and nutty undertones. In cocktails, cardamom adds a mouthful of flowery, fruity goodness, and a zing of minty freshness. Now that you have all the info, let’s dive into the fragrant universe of spice and everything nice!
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great ground cardamom substitute. But you can also use cinnamon sticks as well. Just like cardamom, cinnamon is complex and stands out in a meal. Cinnamon is warm, sweet, spicy, and with an earthy aroma, just like cardamom.
- Start with just a pinch and increase if required.
- Best used in sweet dishes (pies, cakes, drinks), but in some meats, soups, and curry-like foods.
2. Nutmeg
If you are looking for a similar spice to cardamom, nutmeg is, probably, one of the best choices. Nutmeg is cardamom’s twin in terms of how similar they are. With a pronounced earthy flavor and a fruity tone, and with a warming effect, just like cardamom, nutmeg should be your go-to choice.
- Use it in a 1:1 ratio.
- Ideal in meats, soups, sauces, veggies, potatoes, stews.
3. Cloves
Cloves are a great alternative for cardamom. Aromatic and spicy, cloves mix sweet and slightly bitter aromas. Just like cardamom, cloves leave a warming touch and a mouthful of flavors. They are ideal for both sweet and savory recipes. We recommend you add them in particular to meats, sauces, and rice.
- Start with a small amount, less than 1:2 ratio, and go from there.
- We recommend you use them for meat marinades, stews, curries.
4. Coriander Seeds
The seeds of coriander make a good cardamom replacement. Coriander seeds encompass that citrusy vibe that cardamom has, and the nutty aroma, plus its spicy feel. Coriander seeds, just like cardamom, can be used whole or ground.
- It’s better to start with just a pinch and increase as you go along.
- Use coriander seeds in curries, vegetarian dishes, and baked goods.
5. Allspice
Who’d have thought it? Well, allspice is a fabulous cardamom powder substitute. Allspice contains nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon flavors. Just like cardamom, it’s spicy, peppery, but with a lemony, citrusy vibe, and a floral tone. Allspice is, actually, very often confused with cardamom.
- While some say you can use equal amounts, use this in a 1:2 ratio or it will overpower your dish. Increase the quantity if you feel like it.
- Allspice thrives in curries, fish, and meats. But it’s ideal in vegetables, desserts, soups, and chutneys.
6. Ginger
With a pungent, intense kick, ginger mixes a hot spiciness, and a fruity aroma. Its tangy, somehow floral fragrance together with the other qualities make ginger one of the best cardamom substitutes. While fresh ginger root can be used in place of cardamom, we recommend you go for the dried version.
- A 1:1 ratio will do with ground ginger. Use half the amount for the fresh root.
- Works great in sweet recipes, also in meat-based dishes.
7. Cumin
Would you have thought of cumin as a cardamom alternative? Well, cumin seeds are very similar to cardamom seeds. Cumin will, however, miss the sweetness that cardamom has. It also has a pronounced peppery taste and it won’t give your dish that citrusy aroma that cardamom has.
- Start with a small amount of cumin and go from there.
- Suitable for savory dishes, such as meats, curries, rice, veggies, and anything liquid-based.
8. Apple Pie Spice
What can you use instead of cardamom? If you have some apple pie spice, it will do just fine! Apple pie spice is a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. So it blends together all the aromas that resemble cardamom. This is probably the best black cardamom substitute.
- Start with a 1:2 ratio, or even less as this mixture can be quite powerful!
- Ideal for sweet dishes, but you can add it to curries and marinades as well.
9. Galangal
Galangal has a sharp, intense punch. It combines earthy, fresh, and citrusy aromas, just like cardamom. It is, however, more intense, somehow delivering a clean burst of aroma. It’s better to use the powdered version to replace cardamom.
- Use about 1:4 ratio and increase the quantity if needed.
- Especially good in meat dishes, fish marinades, soups, stews – anything savory.
What can you replace cardamom with: check out these power couples!
What can you use in place of cardamom to truly match the aroma? While the ingredients above will do, these mixtures are next-level alternatives.
1. Cloves + Cinnamon
This mix is one of the closest cardamom substitutes you can find! When paired, these two spices mimic cardamom’s complex bouquet. Cinnamon brings spicy and citrus tones. Cloves provide intense heat, aroma, and earthiness.
- Use this blend in a 1:1 ratio (half of each ingredient).
- Add it to soups, broths, stews, curry, and anything sauce-based, veggie, or meaty.
2. Cinnamon + Ginger
The spicy, fruity tang of ginger, and the heat and earthy aroma of cinnamon and you’ve got yourself a great sub for cardamom! If you have these two ingredients lying around, don’t hesitate! Add them to your recipe.
- Add this mix in a 1:1 ratio (half of each ingredient).
3. Cinnamon + Nutmeg
Yet another power couple of spices you can use as substitutes for cardamom. These two combined come very close to cardamom’s flavor profile. Cinnamon is sweet, earthy, spicy, and peppery, with a powerful warming effect. And nutmeg will bring some sweet, nutty, and fruity hints to enrich the bouquet.
- Use it in a 1:1 ratio (half of each ingredient).
- Use this blend in curries, soups, and stews but try to avoid it in cakes and baked goods.
4. Nutmeg + Cloves
This blend is seriously the best cardamom substitute! Well, one of the best! Cloves are intense and aromatic, with a mildly bitter flavor. Nutmeg enriches the taste with nutty, earthy, and fruity hints. And together they manage to mimic the complex blend of flavors found in cardamom.
- Use it in a 1:1 ratio (half of each ingredient).
5. Cumin + Coriander
And the last one, but certainly not the least! Cumin and coriander complement each other very well. Coriander has that citrusy, fresh kick, and a nutty undertone. And cumin brings spicy, earthy flavors. They do come close!
- Use this blend in a 1:1 ratio (half of each ingredient).
- Ideal for savory recipes, not so great for sweets (we would not recommend it in desserts).
Cardamom is that vibe you get when drinking Turkish coffee. Or that aroma of fabulous mulled wine. And while you would have thought there’s no way you could ever properly replace it, you now know you probably have some alternatives in your cupboard, right? And if there are other cardamom substitutes you’ve tried and recommend, do share!
