Don’t have this distinct ingredient or establish you’re all the end while she cooking? here’s the best star anise substitute in recipes.

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Making a recipe the calls because that star anise and also don’t have actually it? Star anise is a seeds pod that’s shaped prefer a star. It’s a heat spice through an anise flavor, giving it hints of black color licorice. The culinary provides are wide: it’s the main ingredient in Chinese 5 spice powder, and is supplied in Vietnamese pho and is part of Indian masala chai and mulling flavors for cider. Don’t have actually time to grab it? this is the ideal star anise instead of to use in a pinch.

First off…decide whether you need a substitute!

Are you making a recipe with star anise other spices, too? frequently star anise is used in combination with spices like cinnamon, cloves and also fennel. If there are a lot of other spices going top top in the recipe, friend might be able to simply omit the star anise. That course, that won’t taste nearly as good! yet it functions in a pinch.

That said, if you’re making a recipe through “star anise” in the title, like Star Anise Braised Chicken, or a classic recipe choose Vietnamese pho, you may want come wait till you have actually a possibility to run to the keep to seize the actual thing.

Best star anise substitute

1. Chinese five spice powder.

The finest star anise substitute? Chinese five spice powder! Star anise is one of the key ingredients in Chinese 5 spice powder, which likewise includes cinnamon, fennel, pepper and also cloves. Use this substitution ratio: because that 1 whole star anise, use ½ teaspoon Chinese 5 spice powder.

It’s most likely if you don’t have actually star anise you can not have 5 spice flour on hand, therefore see listed below for more options. Another thing to take into consideration is if her recipe phone call for totality spices favor in mulled cider, you may not want to usage a floor spice (or simply strain it before drinking).

2. Anise seeds.

Another an excellent star anise substitute? Anise seeds! The 2 plants are not related, yet both have a comparable black licorice finish to the flavor. Use this substitution ratio: because that 1 whole star anise, usage ½ teaspoon anise seeds.

3. Fennel seed.

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A last star anise substitute? Fennel seeds. Fennel seed has actually a much various flavor indigenous star anise, but it deserve to work in a pinch. Since the smell is different, we recommend including a smaller amount of fennel. Use this substitution ratio: because that 1 whole star anise, usage ¼ tespoon fennel seeds.

Can you instead of ground star anise for whole?

Yes! If her recipe calls because that the whole version of this spice, you might use floor if you have actually it. Instead of ½ teaspoon soil star anise because that 1 entirety star anise, and also vice versa.

Related recipes

Here are some recipes where you can use this star anise substitute: