If you are a foodie or even a regular cook, then the chances are high that you have run out of some ingredients at home. One such ingredient is allspice, which is used in many cuisines for adding a certain flavor to the dish.
Allspice can be found in various dishes, especially in curries and Indian recipes. So, when you don’t have it at home, you need to know how to substitute it with something else. Here are some of the best allspice substitutes that can be easily found at home:
5 Reasons Why People Love Allspice
Allspice can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It has been used since ancient times and was an important part of cooking for centuries.
Here are five reasons why people love Allspice:
1. It’s versatile
Allspice can be used in both sweet and savory dishes because it has such a strong flavor. You can use it in cakes, cookies, bread, or even meat dishes such as stews or curries. It also works well with a winter squash like pumpkin or butternut squash.
2. It’s healthy
Allspice has some health benefits including:
Antioxidants: Some studies have shown that allspice contains antioxidants that may help prevent cancer cells from growing rapidly.
Antibacterial: Allspice has been shown to fight off bacteria, including E.coli and salmonella. It may help prevent cancer cells from growing rapidly.
Calming: Allspice is a nice way to take the edge off your appetite after a big meal by calming your digestion so you feel fuller longer.
Digestive: It has been shown to relieve heartburn and acid reflux.
Lowers High Cholesterol: Allspice can help improve the flow of blood to your digestive tract, which can lower cholesterol levels as well as alleviate swelling in the legs and kidneys, both of which are associated with high cholesterol.
3. It has a long shelf life
In the past, allspice was very expensive to ship, so it was always fresh. Today, it can be shipped easily between countries, which allows it to be kept for years. Allspice will stay in its dried form for about three years if stored properly and won’t lose any of its original flavor or aroma. This makes it perfect for those who don’t use a lot of spices.
4. It’s affordable
Allspice isn’t the most affordable spice because of its wonderful flavor. However, it is cheaper than some spices and can be found at your local grocery store. Even if you purchase a small container, it will still last for a long time because of how powerful the spice is. It’s also easy to buy online in bulk or in larger containers that are more economical per ounce.
5. It’s Natural
Allspice has long been used in traditional herbal medicine. It has been shown to relieve stomach problems, colds, and even headaches.
Allspice is one of the most popular spices in the world. It adds a unique flavor to a wide range of dishes and is one of those ingredients that you will always want to have on hand.
5 Best Allspice Substitutes
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the closest thing to a 1:1 replacement for allspice. In addition to being a common cooking staple, its chemical composition is very similar to that of allspice.
Similar to how allspice enhances the flavor of savory meals, cinnamon may be used in either sweet or savory preparations. Use whatever cinnamon you happen to have on hand.
The flavor of allspice is somewhat spicy, whereas cinnamon is more mild. If you want to use allspice instead of cinnamon in savory foods, you need also add some black pepper for contrast.
Using ground cinnamon instead of whole sticks will also make the recipe simpler to measure; for this, swap out one teaspoon of whole allspice with half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
2. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is another spice that shares some similarities with allspice. It is also a member of the Myrtaceae family, which means it has similar chemical compounds and aromatic oils.
Nutmeg has a rich and distinctive sweetness that makes it perfect for use in desserts such as pies or cakes. It can also be used in savory dishes such as stews or casseroles.
Nutmeg is most commonly used whole in recipes, however, if you have ground nutmeg at home then you can use it instead of ground allspice in any recipe.
For example, if your recipe calls for one teaspoon of ground allspice, try half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg instead. You will find that it adds a delicious richness to your dish while still maintaining its characteristic warmth and depth.
Read More: Substitutes for Nutmeg: 6 Great Replacements
3. Star Anise
Star anise is another spice that tastes like allspice. It’s also another spice that you can use as a substitute for allspice. However, you should be wary of using star anise because it has a strong licorice flavor.
Star anise is smaller than regular anise but they’re both similar in appearance and taste. They have eight points on their pods, which are quite brittle and break easily when they come into contact with moisture or heat. You can find star anise in grocery stores or at Asian markets.
How to Use Star Anise as a Substitute for Allspice?
The most common way of using star anise as a substitute for allspice is by grinding it into powder form and then adding it to your dish in small amounts until you achieve the desired taste.
You can also soak whole star anise pods in water overnight before using them in chicken broth or soup recipes to add more flavor to your dish without overpowering its inherent flavors.
4. British Mixed Spice
British mixed spice is a blend of different spices, but it’s not just limited to ground allspice. The blend usually includes cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, coriander and allspice.
You can use British mixed spice as a substitute for ground allspice in dishes like this honey cake recipe. I know what you’re thinking: “But I don’t have any ground allspice at home!” No worries! This spice mix will do just fine.
You can make your own British mixed spice using a mortar and pestle (or food processor) and grinding together equal amounts of cinnamon sticks and whole cloves with freshly grated nutmeg and coriander seeds (not dry). Then add some freshly grated ginger root and ground black pepper to taste here and there until you get it right.
If you don’t have any of these ingredients on hand, then go ahead and buy a bag of commercial British mixed spice instead because there are no substitutions for British mixed spice.
5. Cloves
Ground cloves are another great alternative to allspice that you can buy in the spice aisle besides cinnamon and nutmeg.
There isn’t the same peppery bite to them as there is with allspice, but they’re sweet and fragrant nevertheless. If you need to make up for the lack of salt in a savory meal, just sprinkle on some pepper.
If you want to use cloves instead of allspice, you’ll need to use half as many cloves as the recipe calls for each teaspoon of allspice.
Be aware that it has a little bitter and acidic flavor, making it ideal for mulled cider and other acidic beverages and foods.
FAQs
1. Is Allspice Available Fresh Or Dried?
Allspice is available fresh but not very often because it doesn’t keep well when picked before maturity. It is usually sold dried or ground into powder form. The whole berries should be kept in an airtight container in a cool place away from direct sunlight. They can be stored for up to two years if kept properly.
2. What Does Allspice Taste Like?
Allspice has a warm and spicy taste that’s similar to cinnamon but with stronger undertones of clove and nutmeg. It has a slightly bitter aftertaste that lingers on your tongue for several minutes after eating it.
3. Is Allspice The Same As Pimento?
Pimento is another name for allspice, but you may also hear it referred to as Jamaican pepper. It’s sometimes confused with pimenta (also known as a bay leaf), but these are two different spices that have very different flavor profiles.
4. Can I Use Ground Ginger Instead Of Allspice?
Ground ginger does not have the same flavor profile as allspice because it is not actually related to any of the other spices commonly listed above.
5. Where can I buy allspice?
You can find it at any grocery store or spice shop.
Conclusion
Allspice is a unique spice in many ways and so is the way you can replace it in your recipes. The best thing about allspice is its versatility and ability to be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are several ways of substituting this spice when you run out of stock.
If you are looking for a substitute for allspice, you will be glad to know that there are many options available. However, not all of them are equally good at mimicking the taste of this one-of-a-kind spice. So, we have compiled a list of five substitutes that can help you bring back the authentic flavor of an allspice dish without having to worry about any major changes in taste or texture.
