05.13.2022
Chinese Five Spice: Five Ways
Warm, citrusy spice blend for pork, poultry, BBQ sauce, desserts, and stir fries. Learn ingredients, tips, and quick recipes.
- Chinese five spice blends sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory into one versatile mix that works in meat, sauce, and dessert recipes.
- Great uses include pork rubs and braises, poultry and duck, a flavored barbecue sauce, baked goods and fruit, plus quick stir fries.
- Use small amounts to start: make simple rubs, add 1 teaspoon to stir fry sauces, and store the mix airtight in a cool, dark place.
Warm, sweet, and wondrous, Chinese five spice is a favorite for barbecue, braised dishes, roasted veggies, quick stir fries, noodle dishes, and even desserts. This blend creates a shortcut into authentic Chinese flavors, but you’ll soon find yourself fusing it into all types of cooking. If you have a favorite way to use Chinese five spice, let us know about it in the comments below.
What is Chinese Five Spice?
Chinese five spice is a traditional blend that unites the five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory. You will find this spice blend used within the cuisines of China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Hawaii.
While the name implies only five ingredients, blends vary in the spices they’re made from. Chinese five spice recipes may include Sichuan peppercorn, clove, star anise, Saigon cinnamon, fennel seed, ginger root, galangal root, orange peel, mandarin orange peel, black peppercorn, or white peppercorn.
In the United States, most five spice blends exclude Sichuan peppercorns. We have crafted our version with freshly ground cinnamon, star anise, fennel seed, orange peel, and green Sichuan peppercorns. Traditionally, red Sichuan peppercorns are used for this blend. We chose these ingredients to bring you a more unique blend that carries tempting notes of citrus.
Perfectly-Spiced Pork
The blend’s sweet and bitter notes lend themselves well to rich and fatty foods. Pork is a natural pairing for these flavors, especially ribs, pork belly, Char siu pork, and ground pork dishes like mapo tofu. Try mixing the blend with salt and optional brown sugar to create a quick and delectable barbecue rub for smoked ribs or roasted pork loin. We love using Chinese five spice for braised pork belly. This sweet, sticky, and savory dish is an outstanding party appetizer.
All The Poultry
Turkey, chicken, and, especially, duck are excellent with Chinese five spice. Peking duck just isn’t the same without a little five spice. It’s also a distinct element to the popular Hawaiian dish, Shoyu Chicken. Combine Chinese five spice with cayenne, salt, and black pepper, and you have a tasty dry rub for chicken wings. Try roasting these wings in the oven, or tossing them on the grill.
Brilliant Barbecue Sauce
We already suggested this spice blend as a dry rub for smoked ribs, but don’t forget about the sauce! Making barbecue sauce can be as simple as whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar. Spices make the sauce delightfully sophisticated, and Chinese five spice is an ideal choice. Check our tips on making homemade barbecue sauce to learn more.
Spiced Sweet Tooth
Chinese five spice toes the line between many flavors, and you can certainly lean into the sweeter ones. Try this blend for favorite baking recipes like apple pie, snickerdoodle cookies, or cinnamon rolls. A sprinkle of five spice also makes fruit taste sweeter. Try adding a pinch to your morning smoothie, or sprinkling some over cereal with chopped fruit. The cinnamon and Sichuan peppercorn flavor pair especially well with stone fruit, such as peaches or plums. Try this blend for a grilled stone fruit ice cream sundae.
Five-Star Stir Fry
Stir fry is fun, fast, easy, and flavorful. Simply sear your favorite protein in oil before tossing in a medley of vegetables. To finish the dish, you can deglaze it with a simple stir fry sauce made from a teaspoon of Chinese five spice, a teaspoon of minced garlic, two or three tablespoons of soy sauce, oyster sauce to taste, and a splash of water. Don’t forget the side of steamed jasmine rice!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese five spice?
Chinese five spice is a traditional spice blend meant to balance five taste directions: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory. It shows up across Chinese and other Asian cuisines and is used in both savory dishes and some sweets.
What spices are typically in five spice?
Common ingredients include star anise, cinnamon, fennel seed, clove, and a peppercorn. Variations may add orange peel, ginger, or galangal. U.S. blends often leave out Sichuan peppercorns, but using them adds a citrusy, slightly numbing note.
How do I make a simple dry rub for pork?
Mix equal parts Chinese five spice, kosher salt, and brown sugar. Rub over ribs, pork loin, or pork belly and let rest for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight before roasting, smoking, or braising.
Can I use five spice in desserts?
Yes. Five spice pairs well with apples, stone fruits, and baked goods. Add a pinch to pies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, smoothies, or sprinkle over fruit to boost sweetness and add warm citrus notes.
How much five spice should I add to a stir fry or sauce?
For a stir fry serving 2 to 3 people, use about 1 teaspoon five spice with 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce, a splash of water, and oyster sauce to taste. Start small and adjust to avoid overpowering the dish.
Is Chinese five spice hot or spicy?
It is not typically hot like chili. The blend is warm, sweet, and aromatic. If it contains Sichuan peppercorns it can create a mild numbing, tingly sensation, but it does not add chili heat.
How should I store five spice and how long does it last?
Keep your blend in an airtight container away from heat, light, and humidity. Whole spices last longer, but ground blends are best used within 6 to 12 months for peak flavor.
What is Chinese five spice?
Chinese five spice is a traditional spice blend meant to balance five taste directions: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory. It shows up across Chinese and other Asian cuisines and is used in both savory dishes and some sweets.
What spices are typically in five spice?
Common ingredients include star anise, cinnamon, fennel seed, clove, and a peppercorn. Variations may add orange peel, ginger, or galangal. U.S. blends often leave out Sichuan peppercorns, but using them adds a citrusy, slightly numbing note.
How do I make a simple dry rub for pork?
Mix equal parts Chinese five spice, kosher salt, and brown sugar. Rub over ribs, pork loin, or pork belly and let rest for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight before roasting, smoking, or braising.
Can I use five spice in desserts?
Yes. Five spice pairs well with apples, stone fruits, and baked goods. Add a pinch to pies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, smoothies, or sprinkle over fruit to boost sweetness and add warm citrus notes.
How much five spice should I add to a stir fry or sauce?
For a stir fry serving 2 to 3 people, use about 1 teaspoon five spice with 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce, a splash of water, and oyster sauce to taste. Start small and adjust to avoid overpowering the dish.
Is Chinese five spice hot or spicy?
It is not typically hot like chili. The blend is warm, sweet, and aromatic. If it contains Sichuan peppercorns it can create a mild numbing, tingly sensation, but it does not add chili heat.
How should I store five spice and how long does it last?
Keep your blend in an airtight container away from heat, light, and humidity. Whole spices last longer, but ground blends are best used within 6 to 12 months for peak flavor.
I use Five-Spice in my candied walnuts to give a more complex flavor.
Sandra
I use 5 spice when I fry pork steak and onions on the stove top, very tasty!