Best Cardamon Substitute

Cardamon tends to be a bit on the expensive side, not to mention that some people think it has an overpowering taste. If that’s the case with you, you might be looking for the Best Cardamon Substitutes that’s a bit softer on your taste buds and won’t have you break the bank!

We understand the allure of cardamon; it has a remarkable flavor that makes it an awesome candidate for both sweet and savory dishes. Plus, this spice is a favorite of many cultures around the world, and it’s the main ingredient in countless Indian and Middle Eastern recipes.

We’ll suggest quite a few alternatives to this unique spice to help you out.

Let’s dive right in!

Single Spice Substitutes

One interesting fact about cardamon is that you can mimic its flavor by using one type of spice or a mixture of two. In this section, we’ll present you with single spice substitutes for cardamon first.

Cinnamon

Who doesn’t love this delicious spice that’s perfect for both chicken seasoning and sugary cinnamon rolls? Cinnamon has a woody flavor with some underlying sweetness, making it all the more special!

If you’re out of cardamon and really need to make a dish that requires it, cinnamon is a good replacement. Even though both spices don’t necessarily taste the same, their sweet notes are almost identical.

You can use cinnamon when making not only the Apple Strudel, No Peel Apple Crisp and Air Fryer Apple Roses but in all the following dishes as well:

• Soups
• Chicken, beef, and lamb dishes
• Cakes, pies, and cookies
• Drinks

Cumin

Cumin is another great substitute because it’s a versatile spice that you include in numerous recipes without hesitation. Sure, cumin isn’t as tangy as cardamon, but it has an earthy quality that balances between bitter and sweet.

Despite having a subtly sweet flavor, cumin shines best in savory recipes where you may include it as a powder or as whole seeds.

Cumin can be a nice alternative to cardamon when you’re preparing:

• Soups and sauces
• Vegetable dishes
• Rice recipes
• Meat and chicken
• Pickled food
• Baked goods
• Dry Rubs

Some people even make cumin tea to help with an upset stomach or encourage weight loss. This multi-purpose spice has a lot to offer!

Mace

A lot of kitchen gurus suggest you replace cardamon with mace, which, of course, is a wonderful idea!

What makes mace extra special is that it’s made from the outer shell of nutmeg seeds. As a result, this spice has a much lighter flavor than that of nutmeg, which many people might prefer if they don’t like strong flavors.

Better still, mace has an aftertaste of cinnamon, giving you a delicious blend of flavors that can be just as unique as cardamon.

Thanks to its delicate taste, mace is a good candidate in dishes that require only a light sprinkle of cardamon, including:

• Soups and sauces
• Meat and chicken recipes
• Vegetable dishes
• Baked goods

Cloves

Cloves are known for their powerful taste that borders on outright spicy if you use many of them in a rice or soup. This bold spice stands in for cardamon just fine, just remember that you’ll likely need to apply it in smaller amounts because of its robust taste.

It’s also good to know that cloves work both ways, enriching both your sweet and savory dishes with unmatched flavor.

Here’s the types of food you may include cloves in:

• Curries and stews
• Marinades
• Fish and meats
• Sweet and savory pies
• Fruit dishes
• Rice
• Chai

Nutmeg

As we’ve previously hinted at, nutmeg is the stronger relative to mace, which also makes it a great substitute. However, where mace shines in dishes that need a mild flavor, nutmeg is the better option when you want your alternative to have a lasting effect.

One of the greatest things about nutmeg is that its taste is the closest to that of cardamon. It has a subtle nutty flavor and a sweet aftertaste, making it a good choice for the main course, dessert, or even a drink.

Because of this spice’s similarities to cardamon, this can be used in equal amounts. 

Wondering what food you could make with nutmeg? Well, here you go:

• Soups and sauces
• Stews
• Vegetables
• Different potato dishes
• Meats, sausages, and chicken recipes
• Baked goods
• Puddings

Ginger

A lot of people think that ginger tastes a lot like cardamon, and they’re not wrong since both spices belong to the ginger family. Even though ginger has a more peppery flavor that leans toward sweet, it can be the ideal substitute if you have it in your pantry.

Ginger is available in various forms: you can buy it as a powder, in its fresh, original state, or preserved in a jar. You might even find pickled or candied options.

If you’re ready to replace cardamon with fresh or powdered ginger, your best shot is to do that when cooking:

• Curries
• Stir-frys 
• Soups, sauces, and marinades
• Cakes
• Drinks

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Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds are an awesome alternatives to cardamon because their citrusy notes are almost identical to those of our spice. In addition, coriander seeds have a nutty and spicy flavor, bringing your recipes some much-needed warmth.

These are flexible enough to use in a wide range of food options, including:

• Baked goods
• Vegetable recipes
• Curries

To make sure you’re using a suitable amount of coriander seeds in your recipe, it’s a good idea to add them in small portions first. Then, give your pot’s contents a quick taste and use more coriander if you think it’s necessary.

Allspice Powder

Allspice is a unique spice that originates from Jamaica, and it’s also known as Jamaica pepper. This has a rich flavor that many people around the world enjoy, combining the general flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Better still, allspice powder is easier to find than cardamon, which is why it might just be a perfect substitute. Allspice is mainly used in savory dishes such as:

• Fish, beef, and lamb recipes
• Stews and curries
• Marinades

Apple Pie Spice

What makes apple pie spice a nice alternative to cardamon is the fact that it’s basically a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cloves. 

Yet, because of this unique combination of flavors all at once, it’s best if you pay extra attention when using it or it might be overwhelming.

This can give you warm and delicious results if you cook the following things with it:

• Muffins and cakes
• Pies
• Smoothies and drinks

Galangal

The final option is galangal, which also belongs to the ginger family. Because of its close relationship to ginger, you’ll find out that galangal tastes a lot like it: an earthy, citrusy flavor that adds some heat to your recipe.

Galangal is available in different forms; so you can buy it fresh, powdered, or ground to use in place of cardamon.

Here’s everything you can prepare with some fresh, grated galangal:

• Stews and soups
• Marinades
• Meat, fish, and chicken dishes

Spice Mixtures As Substitutes for Cardamon

Now, let’s dive into the second part of our post, which addresses a few spice mixtures that you can use instead of cardamon in different recipes.

Cinnamon and Ginger

Without a doubt, mixing equal amounts of cinnamon and ginger to take the position of cardamon in a recipe is many people’s go-to option, so why not consider it, too?

These two ingredients should bring a mildly spicy yet subtly sweet flavor to your recipes, and their combined warm taste is definitely worth trying.

Both cinnamon and ginger can be awesome candidates when making:

• Beef, chicken, and lamb dishes
• Soups, stews, and sauces
• Marinades

Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Our second favorite two-ingredient cardamon substitute is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. These two can be ideal for replacing in desserts thanks to the sweet notes that both bring to the table.

They’re also great for making savory and even spicy recipes as well.

Wondering where to use equal parts of cinnamon and nutmeg instead of cardamon? You could do this when you want to cook:

• Stews and soups
• Curries
• Baked goods
• Pies and cakes

Cinnamon and Cloves

Last but not least, a mixture of cinnamon and cloves might be just what you need if you’re out of cardamon. Cinnamon is soft and earthy while cloves are all about strong flavor and a mouthwatering aroma.

Use both of these spices to cook:

• Soups, stews, and sauces
• Meat and chicken dishes
• Cakes and baked food

To Wrap It Up

Knowing the best cardamon substitute is a must for every home chef. You could be out of this spice and unable to go to the store at the moment, or your budget might not simply allow you to buy it right now.

Luckily, there’s a huge variety of alternatives you can pick from; most of those are probably already sitting in your pantry. From cinnamon to nutmeg to ginger, the list goes on and on, giving you a lot of freedom to experiment with each item and discover new flavors!

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