12.16.2017
Cardamom Substitute
Out of cardamom? Find easy pantry substitutes, swap ratios, and quick tips for baking, curry, drinks, and savory dishes.
- Mix two spices from cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice or apple pie spice to best mimic cardamom.
- Use a 1:1 swap when using a blend; reduce amounts when using strong spices like cloves.
- Use green cardamom for sweets and general cooking, black cardamom for smoky savory dishes; fresh-ground pods taste best.
Cardamom has a uniquely complex flavor, so if you’ve run out of this spice, you may think your dish will be ruined, however cardamom flavors are surprisingly easy to recreate with just a couple of pantry spices you probably have on hand. While the substitute for the real thing won’t have the exact same warm, bitter and slightly lemony flavor loved in cardamom, it will do the trick to bring the same essence into your dish.
Substitutes for Cardamom
Cardamom is a loved spice in many different recipes. From this cardamom bread braid to these festive frosted sugar cookies and this cardamom bourbon hot cocoa, cardamom finds its place in almost any dish on the holiday table. If you’re all out and don’t have time to run to the store, try a combination one of these substitutes:
Because cardamom is such a complex spice, try mixing two of the spices here to achieve the closest replacement for your recipe.
Common Cardamom Substitution Questions
What Is a Good Cardamom Substitute in Curry?
Use a mix of cinnamon and ginger. Ginger is a close substitute for cardamom so it shares many of the same qualities that you’ll find in cardamom. Use a 1-1 ratio of cardamom substitute for cardamom called for in a recipe. For example, if your recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of cardamom, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of ginger.
What Is a Good Cardamom Substitute for Baking?
Cardamom is featured in sweet foods just as often as savory, and is also found in drinks! To substitute cardamom while baking a desert or loaf of bread, use equal parts of ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon to create the same spicy feel of cardamom.
What Is Cardamom?
Cardamom is found in black and green pods and can also be bought pre-ground, although ground cardamom is prone to losing flavor quickly, so it is best to grind your own. Black cardamom pods have been smoke-dried and are better suited for braised meats and savory recipes than green cardamom pods. Green cardamom pods are sun-dried and are widely used in savory Indian and Middle Eastern recipes.Frequently Asked Questions
What common spices can replace cardamom?
Good pantry substitutes are cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and apple pie spice. Blending two or more of these gives a closer match to cardamom's layered flavor.
How do I replace cardamom in curry?
Use equal parts cinnamon and ginger to replace cardamom in curry. For example, swap 1 teaspoon cardamom for 1 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1 teaspoon ginger, then adjust to taste.
What is the best substitute for cardamom in baking?
For baked goods, mix equal parts ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Use that mixture in place of the same amount of cardamom called for in the recipe.
How much substitute should I use compared to cardamom?
Start with a 1:1 swap when using a blended substitute. If you use a single strong spice like cloves, cut the amount to half or three quarters because cloves can overpower a dish.
Can I use garam masala or apple pie spice instead?
Yes. Garam masala works well in savory Indian dishes because it often contains cardamom notes. Apple pie spice or chai blends fit baked goods and drinks when you need a warm, spiced profile.
Is green cardamom the same as black cardamom?
No. Green cardamom is fragrant and lemony and is used in sweets, breads and many Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. Black cardamom is larger, smoky and better for braises and robust savory recipes.
Should I use ground cardamom or grind pods fresh?
Grinding green cardamom pods fresh gives the best aroma and flavor. Pre-ground cardamom loses scent over time, but it still works if fresh pods are not available.
How do I recreate cardamom's lemony note?
Add a small pinch of ground coriander or a little lemon or orange zest to your spice mix. This brightens the blend and helps mimic cardamom's citrusy edge.
What common spices can replace cardamom?
Good pantry substitutes are cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and apple pie spice. Blending two or more of these gives a closer match to cardamom's layered flavor.
How do I replace cardamom in curry?
Use equal parts cinnamon and ginger to replace cardamom in curry. For example, swap 1 teaspoon cardamom for 1 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1 teaspoon ginger, then adjust to taste.
What is the best substitute for cardamom in baking?
For baked goods, mix equal parts ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Use that mixture in place of the same amount of cardamom called for in the recipe.
How much substitute should I use compared to cardamom?
Start with a 1:1 swap when using a blended substitute. If you use a single strong spice like cloves, cut the amount to half or three quarters because cloves can overpower a dish.
Can I use garam masala or apple pie spice instead?
Yes. Garam masala works well in savory Indian dishes because it often contains cardamom notes. Apple pie spice or chai blends fit baked goods and drinks when you need a warm, spiced profile.
Is green cardamom the same as black cardamom?
No. Green cardamom is fragrant and lemony and is used in sweets, breads and many Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. Black cardamom is larger, smoky and better for braises and robust savory recipes.
Should I use ground cardamom or grind pods fresh?
Grinding green cardamom pods fresh gives the best aroma and flavor. Pre-ground cardamom loses scent over time, but it still works if fresh pods are not available.
How do I recreate cardamom's lemony note?
Add a small pinch of ground coriander or a little lemon or orange zest to your spice mix. This brightens the blend and helps mimic cardamom's citrusy edge.
Comments