There are several different ways to substitute for cloves in a recipe. These spices are very similar and will work just as well in many cases. For example, you can use nutmeg instead of ground cloves in pumpkin pie spice, rice pudding, and many other recipes.
Try substituting them in the same proportions as cloves in your recipes. Just be sure to use a high-quality brand, as nutmeg can be very strong.
Cloves are flower buds that are aromatic and are native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. They are popular in cooking and can be found throughout the year, as different countries have different harvest seasons. The best part about using this spice is that it’s available all year round, which means that you can cook with it almost any time.
In addition to being a spice, cloves have medicinal uses. You can buy whole cloves from your local grocery store or purchase them online. Store them in a metal container or spice jar to avoid their spoilage. Then, use them in recipes and in cooking.
Cloves nutrition
Cloves are a good source of energy and carbohydrates, and they are good sources of dietary fiber. They contain many vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
The spice is also rich in niacin, an antioxidant and can prevent disease. If you use cloves in cooking, you can avoid the unpleasant effects of too much of it.
10 Best substitute for cloves
There are various substitutes for cloves that will still give your recipes a delicious flavor when baking.
Pumpkin pie spice
One of these substitutes is pumpkin pie spice. This spice is an excellent substitute for cloves and will be more balanced with nutmeg.
For desserts, you can also try allspice and other popular seasonings. If you do not have ground or whole cloves, you can also try pumpkin pie spice.
Mace
Another substitute for cloves is mace, which is derived from the coat of the nutmeg seed. This spice is excellent for fighting candida and improving skin health. It can also be used in curries and stews.
Mace can be bitter if overcooked, but it is similar to nutmeg. It can add a saffron-like color to any dish, and it is a good substitute for cloves in many recipes.
Ground cloves
Using ground cloves in recipes is a great way to add a spicy, earthy note as a substitute for cloves. This spice is extracted from the dried flower bud of an Indonesian evergreen tree and has a peppery, sharp flavor.
You can also purchase whole cloves and grind them yourself. You can use a coffee/spice grinder to make your own ground cloves.
While they don’t taste the same, ground cloves can substitute for cloves. In addition to their strong flavor, ground spices can also be ground and mixed with other spices.
Nutmeg
When baking with cloves, the best substitution is nutmeg. Although it has a warm, earthy flavor, nutmeg adds depth to pumpkin pies, apple spice cakes, gratins, and soups.
You can even use it as a substitute for cinnamon in your baked goods.
Also Read: Best nutmeg substitute
Allspice
In addition to using nutmeg as a substitute for cloves, you can also substitute allspice. Allspice is a combination of many spices, including ground cloves.
It has a strong aroma, adding depth and flavor to baked goods. You can also use allspice when a recipe calls for cloves. To use allspice as a replacement for nutmeg, just grind the spice into a fine powder.
Cinnamon
If you want to substitute for cloves, you can try cinnamon. Its strong bite is balanced by cinnamon, while nutmeg is a more subtle alternative.
Either way, you’ll be surprised at the different flavors that cinnamon has.
You’ll notice that your dishes will taste great! You can even use cinnamon as a substitute for cloves if you’re in a pinch.
Cardamom
You may wonder whether you can use cardamom to substitute cloves in your cooking. Although this spice has a distinct flavor, other herbs can often imitate it.
Ground cardamom is an excellent cloves substitute, but you won’t get the same unique taste as cardamom.
Try half a teaspoon of ground cardamom if you want to make a rice pudding. If you can’t find either of these spices, use whole cloves instead. They won’t affect the flavor of your dish.
Also Read: 6 Best cardamom substitute
White or black peppercorns
The peppercorns that we know are dried and ripe white ones. The black peppercorns have black skins and are unripe berries that have been sun-dried.
The most common peppercorn is black, the most popular spice globally. It is the dried seed of the pepper plant. When crushed, it imparts a spicy and intense flavor.
It is used in savory and sweet dishes alike and is common in mulled wine. You can use white peppercorns in place of cloves, and the taste will be similar to that of cloves.
Star anise
The aromatic properties of cloves are similar to those of star anise. They both have a warm and woody flavor and can be used in place of the latter. They can also enhance the flavor of sauces and soups.
Those who are allergic to the anise should avoid using it in cooking. However, it is possible to substitute it with another spice.
A few disadvantages of star anise include the high-calorie content and gastrointestinal discomfort. People with food allergies should not use star anise in their cooking, as they can cause skin reactions.
As a substitute, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon can also replace star anise- they have similar flavors. Just choose the best one based on the food and recipe.
Five-spice powder
One of the most common applications of five-spice powder is in marinades and dry rubs. However, you can also use it in recipes where you generally use cloves. Although it won’t have the same distinctive flavor as cloves, it will add spicy sweetness to your dishes.
Cinnamon is one of the spices in five-spice powder, and you can substitute it if you prefer. Make sure that you use less cinnamon than you would typically use, as cinnamon will overpower the flavor of the rest of the blend.
Whole cloves vs. ground cloves
Using whole cloves in recipes is the traditional way to use them. They are also great for baking since they add a distinctive flavor and aroma to baked goods. Some people prefer to use ground cloves, which can be added to curries, stews, and more.
In addition to improving the taste of dishes, whole or grounded cloves can add a dramatic presentation to your dishes.
While whole and ground cloves are similar in flavor, they have a shorter shelf life. If you want to use the spices quickly, grind them. However, you should store them in an airtight container to ensure their flavors don’t spoil.
The best way to store them is in a cool place and keep them tightly covered. This will also keep them fresh. The same rule applies to whole and ground cloves.
While whole cloves have a longer shelf life than ground ones, they won’t have the same visual appeal. While they have the same flavor, whole cloves look more attractive when studded into a dish.
Conclusion
You can use a substitute for cloves almost any time you’d like to make a recipe without the spice. Most kitchens have at least a few spices that will work. A clove substitute is a perfect solution if you’re running on a time crunch.
A good substitute for ground cloves is cinnamon. While cinnamon is not as sweet as cloves, it’s similar enough that you can use it in equal quantities. If you’d prefer to add even more flavor, you can mix it with nutmeg. In either case, you’ll end up with a flavor that’s close enough for most applications.
Cloves can be hard to come by, but you can find a good substitute for cloves in the spice aisle. A good substitute for garlic in a dish is whole ground cloves. These can be ground into powder form using a coffee/spice grinder.
