Come October 1st, we’re all about allspice. That’s because so many of our favorite fall and winter recipes (particularly the sweet ones, but some savory dishes too) call for allspice. Contrary to its name, allspice is not actually a blend of “all the spices.” Rather it’s a specific spice that hails from Jamaica and is harvested from larger-than-life pimenta trees. However, it’s complex flavor does taste like the very best combination of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves, hence its all-inclusive labeling.
Substitutes for Allspice
Leave it to our community members to come up with seamless substitutions for ground allspice that work perfectly in sweet and savory recipes alike. “I'd recommend a mixture of four parts ground cinnamon, one part ground cloves, one part nutmeg,” says CarlyFarine. Mix the three spices together and measure out as much allspice as your recipe calls for.
According to The Spice House, any of the following spices would be also apt substitutes for ground allspice: cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, mace, pumpkin pie spice and ground black pepper, apple pie spice, and a chai blend. The brand also recommends using a trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to make a substitute but prefers these ratios: ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves. Use as a 1:1 substitute in a recipe that calls for one teaspoon of allspice.
You can always use whole allspice berries if a recipe calls for the ground version. Use a spice grinder to crush the berries into a fine powder, but know that the flavor may be slightly different. A little bit of freshly ground allspice goes a long way.
How to Cook with Allspice
The warmth and flavor of allspice lends itself well to barbecue sauces and rubs to marinate meat. It’s also one of a few ground spices used to make our Old-School Swedish Meatballs. In baked goods, ground allspice is most commonly called for in apple pie and gingerbread cookie recipes but you’ll rarely need more than a teaspoon at a time (unless you’re making a big batch of cookies…save me some please).
What are your favorite spice substitutions? Share your go-to swaps in the comments below!
FAQs
Substitutes for Allspice include using a combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon as well as similar spice blends such as pumpkin pie spice (with some added pepper to achieve the savory notes of allspice) or apple pie spice.
What is an emergency substitution for allspice? ›
Substitutes for Allspice include using a combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon as well as similar spice blends such as pumpkin pie spice (with some added pepper to achieve the savory notes of allspice) or apple pie spice.
What are the five spices in allspice? ›
Allspice is considered a type of warm spice for its strong pungent aroma and warm and spicy taste. With this single spice, it is loaded with distinctly different flavors that are reminiscent of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, pepper, and cinnamon.
What is the same as allspice? ›
Also known as a Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, or pimento, allspice is the unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica, an evergreen tree in the Myrtle family native to the West Indies, Southern Mexico, and Central America.
How much ground allspice equals 1 whole allspice? ›
What about whole allspice? If your recipe calls for whole allspice, you may use ground allspice if you have it on hand. Whether it's a good idea depends on the recipe! A rule of thumb is to use ½ teaspoon ground allspice to replace 6 whole allspice berries.
What can I use instead of all purpose seasoning? ›
Mix together garlic powder, basil, parsley, savory, thyme, mace, onion powder, black pepper, sage, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Store in a sealed jar.
Can I replace allspice with mixed spice? ›
No, these are completely different. Allspice (also known as myrtle pepper) is a single origin spice which is dried and ground from the allspice berry. Mixed Spice is a blend of several different spices. The taste of allspice is intense, rich and fruity.
What is a good substitute for five spice powder? ›
Whilst you're never going to get the classic flavour that Chinese 5 spice provides with a substitute, there are some seasonings that come pretty close. Star anise, allspice, garam masala, sichuan peppercorns and cinnamon sticks are all worthy replacements – but the real stuff is always best!
Can I substitute 5 spices for allspice? ›
The warm, spicy-sweet flavor of allspice is very similar to that of five-spice powder, a blend of cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cloves, and ginger or pepper. Use equal parts of five-spice powder in place of the ground allspice called for in a recipe—it's great for both savory and sweet applications.
What flavor does allspice add? ›
Allspice's flavor evokes a blend of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. You can use it in place of any of those spices, and then some.
This substitute is best for savory recipes where allspice is used whole. Things like pickling liquid and brines often call for whole peppercorns as well as whole allspice berries. If you're out of allspice, just swap in an equal amount of whole, black peppercorns in its place.
What is allspice alternatively known as? ›
Allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper, myrtle pepper, pimenta, or pimento, is the dried unripe berry of Pimenta dioica, a midcanopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world.
What does allspice do for your body? ›
Allspice is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), intestinal gas, abdominal pain, heavy menstrual periods, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, colds, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. It is also used for emptying the bowels.
What if I don't have allspice? ›
Substitutes for Allspice
According to The Spice House, any of the following spices would be also apt substitutes for ground allspice: cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, mace, pumpkin pie spice and ground black pepper, apple pie spice, and a chai blend.
Can you use too much allspice? ›
Allspice is considered safe in small amounts. While anecdotal evidence suggests potential side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and drug interactions, when it's consumed in large amounts, no scientific evidence supports these claims.
How do I substitute ground spices for whole spices? ›
How Much Ground Spice To Use Instead of Whole Spice. To use ground spice instead of whole spice, the most straightforward conversion is to use about three-quarters as much ground as you would whole. If a recipe calls for a teaspoon of whole coriander, use ¾ teaspoon of ground coriander.
What is the flavor of allspice a combination of? ›
Allspice's flavor evokes a blend of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. You can use it in place of any of those spices, and then some.
What is a substitute for mace allspice? ›
Mace Substitutions
You can make a swap-out for mace with a blend of allspice, cinnamon, and ginger or using pumpkin pie spice. While nutmeg and mace are related as ingredients, and come from the same nutmeg tree, there are subtle differences which may lead to a personal preference for one over the other.
Can I substitute allspice for nutmeg? ›
Allspice is commonly found in kitchen pantries, making it a convenient alternative to nutmeg. You can replace nutmeg with an equal amount of allspice in your recipes. Allspice is made of ground berries from the Pimenta dioica tree. Its flavor is similar to that of nutmeg and can be replaced at a 1:1 ratio.
