Cumin is a popular spice that adds a nutty and spicy flavor to various recipes. If you don’t have it or you’re not a fan of its taste, we’re listing the best cumin substitutes. Whatever dish you’re planning to make, it can still be a success!
Chefs usually add cumin to recipes to intensify the flavors of root vegetables and boost the taste of other bland ingredients like tofu.
They’re popular in meat-based and vegetarian dishes, as they add the needed heat and richness.
Yet having access to cumin might not always be easy, or you might not be a big fan of its potent taste. This is where finding a good cumin substitute will come in handy.
What is Cumin?
Cumin comes from the seeds of a flowering plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family.
This family includes other members like anise, dill, coriander, caraway, fennel, and cow parsley.
This plant originally came from the Mediterranean region and is consumed whole or in a ground form.
When used in recipes, cumin adds warmth with a slightly sweet, nutty, and zesty aroma.
It will enhance the taste of several vegetables like carrots, beets, and beans, and it’s usually used in stews, chilis, and soups.
Cumin also pairs well with fish, beef, and lamb recipes, where it adds a lovely warmth. Even cheese and bread are super tasty when cumin seeds are added.
This spice is also popular in traditional medicine because it has several health benefits.
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Overview of Cumin Substitutes
- Caraway
- Ground Coriander
- Fennel Seeds
- Garam Masala
- Taco Seasoning
- Curry Powder
- Paprika
- Chili Powder
- Star Anise
9 Best Cumin Substitutes
Each one of these alternatives will complement your dish if you suddenly run out of cumin.
They don’t taste similar, at least some of them will work for your recipe. If you don’t like cumin that much, you might be happier with one of these substitutes!
Caraway
Caraway and cumin belong to the same plant family, and in some languages, they’re often mistaken for one another. For example, in Slavic, cumin is referred to as Roman caraway.
The seeds look almost the same, although cumin seeds are slightly larger and lighter.
As for the flavor, they’re pretty close to one another.
Caraway is milder than cumin and lacks the spiciness that cumin adds to dishes.
However, it’s sweet and nutty, just like cumin, and will enrich your recipe with a fragrant, earthy aroma.
It will be a great cumin substitute in slow-cooked dishes like chili and tagine recipes.
Marinades and bread will also benefit from caraway’s sweet taste.
If you want to add some heat, you can add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper.
Ground Coriander
Ground coriander is another relative of cumin, and you can use the dried seeds to replace it in various dishes.
It has a slightly citrusy taste with a sweet aroma and is usually used to season dishes in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines.
Fresh coriander has a fresh and grassy taste, so the different flavor profile won’t make it work as a cumin alternative.
Coriander’s taste intensifies when it’s roasted, so it’s usually added at the beginning of the cooking process to allow the seeds to soften.
It can be an excellent cumin substitute in marinades, fish dishes, and slow-cooked dishes.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are part of the cumin family and can add a lot of flavor and fragrance to many dishes.
They don’t taste the same as cumin, but they have a similar rich, earthy, and nutty aroma that cumin is famous for.
Fennel seeds are less spicy and sweeter than cumin. In addition, they have a light licorice-like taste that makes them add warmth and heartiness to various types of dishes.
You can use fennel seeds to replace cumin in Italian dishes, especially meat dishes and
sauces. Their flavor also works well with some baked goods.
Garam Masala
Garam masala is a blend of ground spices that is widely used in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Caribbean cuisines.
The components of garam masala differ from one region to another, and the spices are roasted before they’re ground together.
The most common ingredients are cloves, fennel, bay leaves, coriander, cardamom, and chili powder, besides cumin.
Garam masala has an earthy flavor like cumin, but the taste will differ according to the
spices used to prepare the mix.
If the blend you’re using doesn’t contain any cumin, it might not provide the needed taste.
In general, you can use garam masala to substitute cumin in curries and stews. Just use a smaller amount because it will be spicier.
Taco Seasoning
Taco seasoning is a spice mix that contains several ingredients besides cumin, including salt, paprika, chili, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
All these ingredients complement the taste of cumin but add extra heat with some additional flavors.
The strongest ingredients in the mix are the cumin and chili powder or red pepper flakes.
So, this mix might not work in every dish that calls for cumin. However, it goes well with Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes like this slow cooker vegetarian taco soup and this meal-prep friendly slow cooker Mexican dip.
Since this blend packs some heat, you can reduce the amount used if you don’t want your dish to be too spicy.
Curry Powder
Curry powder is another spice blend from the Indian subcontinent. It’s known for its distinctive yellow color, and it contains several ground spices combined together.
The key ingredients of curry powder are turmeric, ginger, coriander, and garlic powder. Cumin is often a part of the mix in various quantities.
This spice blend is an excellent cumin alternative in chicken, beef, lamb, and fish dishes, but pairs well with plant-based recipes too.
Curry powder might be sweeter than cumin if it contains cloves and caraway. In this case, you can add a smaller amount of curry powder to your dishes.
Paprika
Paprika is made of ground bell peppers and can be smoky or spicy, depending on the type of pepper used.
It has a subtle earthy taste and some varieties can be hot. Keep in mind that paprika’s
strong red color, will change the appearance of your dish.
You can use paprika as a cumin alternative in meat rubs and on top of salads, as a garnish.
We love the mild touch paprika adds to our crock pot black bean soup, and these yummy air fryer hamburgers.
Start with just half of the recommended amount of cumin and add more if needed.
Chili Powder
Despite its name, chili powder isn’t made of chili alone. It’s actually a mix of spices that includes cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, besides cumin.
Chili powder is used in several Asian and African cuisines and is quite popular in Tex-Mex American dishes. You can use it to replace cumin in baked beans dishes, Asian curries, and chili.
It really pairs well with so many dishes and if you want exciting new ways to enjoy it, try our air fryer taquitos, chicken bacon ranch casserole, or air fryer sweet Asian chili chicken wings.
Chili is also used as a spicier substitute for cumin in dips and sauces, especially in Middle Eastern dishes.
Compared to cumin, chili powder can be more intense. It also adds a reddish hue to your dish.
Star Anise
Star anise has a fragrant, earthy aroma and is used to enhance the taste of meat or to add some earthiness and nuttiness to bakeries.
When used as a substitute for cumin, star anise will be sweeter and less citrusy. It will highlight the earthy flavors of the dish and will make it taste richer.
Used as a whole, star anise looks quite different from cumin seeds. However, when grounded, the difference won’t be that obvious.
You can use star anise instead of cumin in tagines, stews, and other Asian and Middle Eastern recipes.
However, it might not work well in Mexican recipes that require more heat unless you
decide to add some chili powder or cayenne pepper.
Favorite Recipes With Cumin
Amazing Instant Pot Ribs – For this mouthwatering dish, you can use ground coriander or taco seasoning in the rub instead of ground cumin. Chili powder and paprika can also work if you prefer more heat.
Best Vegan Crockpot Refried Beans – You won’t feel that the cumin is missing from this
delicious recipe if you add some ground coriander, paprika, or chili powder. You can even try adding some garam masala or curry powder for a change in color and flavor.
Meal Prep Vegetarian Burrito Bowls – Cumin is used here as a seasoning and is added to taste.
If you find its flavor too strong, you can replace it with some taco seasoning, ground fennel seeds, ground caraway mixed with some cayenne pepper, or some curry powder.
Simple Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe – To prepare the rub, you can replace cumin with some ground anise mixed with some chili powder, paprika, or even garam masala for a stronger taste.
F.A.Q.
If you accidentally add too much cumin, your dish can taste bitter, and it will also mask the other flavors in your recipe.
In this case, you can try to neutralize the cumin’s taste by adding
nutmeg or cinnamon for some sweetness. You can also add a little bit of salt to balance the flavors.
Keeping cumin in an airtight container stored in a dark, cold place will help it last longer.
In these conditions, whole cumin seeds can last for an entire year, while ground cumin can last for three months.
All of your substitutes needs all in one handy reference spot! Comprehensive list substitutes here or to print off for your own menu binder. You to find an ingredient option that will allow you to not run out to the store or you may find a flavor combination you love even better than the original. Garlic Powder Substitute, Cojita Cheese Substitute, Parsley Substitute, Green Chilis Substitute, Italian Seasoning Substitute, Mustard Seed Substitute, Cilantro Substitute, Sriracha Substitute, White Pepper Substitute, Onion Powder Substitute, Five Spice Substitute, Turmeric Substitutes, White Wine Vinegar, Cardamon Substitute, Parsley Substitute, Cremini Mushroom Substitute, Egg Yolk, Leeks, Egg Wash, Coconut Cream, Tomato, Stewed Tomatoes, Coconut Sugar, Palm Sugar, Hoisin, Adobo, Chili Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Escarole, Watercress, Rice Wine Vinegar, Ketchup, Tomato Puree, Tomato Paste, Lemongrass, Chervil, Cheesecloth, Worcestershire Sauce, Fennel, Dark Soy Sauce.
Final Thoughts
Cumin is a strong spice that immediately elevates the taste of your dish.
However, if you run of it, you can use ground coriander, caraway, or fennel seeds to add the needed earthy and nutty flavor.
Paprika and chili powder will be hotter, but they’ll also work well for most recipes.
For Indian and other Asian dishes, curry powder and garam masala will be excellent substitutes. However, for Mexican dishes, using a taco seasoning will work best.
If you want more sweetness, you can go for star anise or fennel seeds. Once combined with a little paprika or cayenne pepper, they’ll have a similar taste to cumin.
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