17 Best Cardamom Substitutes for Cooking and Baking

Knowing the cardamom substitutes will make it easier for you to vary and incorporate seasonings in your cooking. You will not be too dependent on cardamom and can still continue to create delicious dishes in the condition that you can not find cardamom.

Alternatives of cardamom are pretty diverse. This article will help you expand your knowledge of the wonderful spices in cooking. You will better understand the similarities between spices and learn more about unique spice combinations.

The use, combination, and substitution of spices require meticulousness and precision, so you should put your mind into reading and comprehending the article. Do not go anywhere! Fantastic things will gradually appear on this device.

List Of 17 Wonderful Cardamom Alternatives For Seasoning

It is not complicated to find an alternative to cardamom. To create the perfect substitute for cardamom, you should combine the ingredients in the right proportions to make the same flavor as the cardamom gives the dish.

Single Substitutes For Cardamom

1. Nutmeg
2. Cinnamon
3. Mace
4. Cloves
5. Allspice powder
6. Coriander seeds
7. Cumin
8. Ginger
9. Galangal
10. Apple Pie Spice
11. Black Cardamom
12. White Cardamom Or White Cardamom Pods

Mixture Substitutes For Cardamom

13. Cinnamon And Nutmeg
14. Cinnamon And Cloves
15. Cinnamon And Ginger
16. Nutmeg And Cloves
17. Cumin And Coriander

Starting The Article With Fantastic Standard Information About Cardamom

Cardamom is an age-old spice that is commonly used in India and the Middle East. Today, you can also easily find it in many places of the world. Cardamom is quite expensive, and its price is second only to saffron and vanilla.

Cardamom belongs to the ginger family. It has a distinctive flavor and varies between types. Green, black, and white cardamoms are the three core types of cardamom. This is a spice that helps to create warmth for savory and sweet dishes.

Green cardamom usually has a zesty citrus taste, and you can also feel sweet and spicy. Black cardamom will bring a smoky and minty flavor that is very suitable for savory dishes. The taste of white cardamom is much milder.

You can use whole cardamom or ground cardamom in recipes. Their popularity is extended around the world, especially in authentic Swedish cooking ideas. Why? Because this spice is like a miracle flavor that can upgrade your dishes to a whole new level.

Compared to the whole cardamom, ground cardamom has a stronger flavor but is easy to lose flavor and scent when left in the pantry. The whole cardamom can retain its pungentness for a long time.

Discover all fantastic things about cardamom to boost your knowledge.

Transform Spices With A List Of 12 Amazing Substitutes For Cardamom

This is the right time to spice up your kitchen with this series of 12 incredible alternatives to cardamom. You will not have to worry or panic when you can not find cardamom to use for your dishes anymore.

Convenient Single Substitutes For Cardamom To Diversify Your Spices

There are many different seasonings that you can use as a substitute for cardamom. Most of them are pretty simple to find and also highly effective for dishes. Let’s find out the single alternatives to cardamom in this section.

1. Nutmeg Should Be A Priority Option For Cardamom Alternatives

An alternative spice that is also simple to find is nutmeg. The mild nuttiness and sweetness of nutmeg are especially suitable for sweet and savory dishes. Combining nutmeg with meats, potatoes, soups, sauces, vegetables, or stew is highly effective.

You can also use nutmeg in eggnog and mulled wine. Nutmeg is a spice that usually exists in the form of granules or powder. The maximum time your nutmeg can maintain its best flavor depends on the form, so be careful when choosing!

If you can’t find nutmeg in your area, other ingredients can work in place of nutmeg. However, you should know the appropriate swapping amount.

Regarding substitution ratio of nutmeg for cardamom, as nutmeg has a taste pretty similar to cardamom, it would be a perfect substitute. 1:1 replacement is a significant proportion.

Learn the ways to prepare nutmeg to substitute for cardamom.

2. Creating Aroma With Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice often used as a substitute for cardamom in many dishes. You can feel the woody sweetness of cinnamon, and it also brings a citrus flavor to the dish. Cinnamon also has a distinctive scent. You can find cinnamon in ground or stick forms.

In the worst scenario that you can’t buy cinnamon in any form, you can swap cinnamon for other components. Some ideal solutions are nutmeg, mace, or glove.

But overall, with this cardamom substitution, using cinnamon in desserts like cakes, apple pie, drinks, and fruit combinations are perfect. Plus, you can use many kinds of cinnamon in soups and meat dishes. Because of its cardamom-like sweetness, this is a desirable alternative.

3. Why Don’t You Use Mace Instead Of Cardamom?

If you choose nutmeg, you can also consider mace as a reasonable cardamom substitute because of the similarities between mace and nutmeg. The former is made from nutmeg seeds’ shells. Mace tastes lighter than nutmeg. You can also feel the cinnamon flavor in the mace.

Thanks to the mild flavor of mace, you can replace cardamom with mace in meats, soups, vegetables, and many other dishes that require a milder flavor. The warm and sweet taste of it is good for baked goods. You should add mace slowly until you get the flavor you want.

4. It Is Incomplete Not To Mention Cloves

Cloves are a must-have spice on this list. Besides adding flavor to dishes, cloves also bring fantastic odor to plates. A strong bitterness is what you can feel most clearly in dishes containing cloves.

Cloves are good to make wonderful marinades. You can use cloves to marinate meats or add to curries and stew. Using cloves in cakes and fruits will also promote the full value of cloves. It is truly a versatile choice in culinary.

You should use a reasonable amount of cloves as a substitute for cardamom because of its strong flavor.

5. Allspice Is An Easy-To-Find Substitute For Cardamom

Allspice is a commonly used spice around the world. Finding allspice is easier than cardamom. So you can use allspice as a substitute for cardamom in many different dishes.

The flavor profile of allspice is a combination of that of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making these ingredients perfect for replacing allspice in case you can’t find this spice. And please be noted to use a suitable substitution ratio.

Allspice has a fairly rich flavor, so you can mix it in many dishes. Savory dishes that can use allspice are meat, curries, and fish dishes.

Since allspice has an intense flavor, you should only use 1 part of allspice powder in place of 1 part of cardamom. Combining allspice with other spices will not work well, so do not try it.

Learning the original, some characteristic features, and wonderful benefits of allspice.

6. Diversify Spices With Coriander Seeds

Have you ever used coriander seeds as a substitute for cardamom in cooking? It is a pity if you have not done that. You should use coriander seeds right away. They can work well in curries, baked, and vegetable dishes.

The common point between cardamom and coriander seeds is the outstanding citrus flavor. Therefore, coriander seeds are a fantastic alternative to cardamom. They will add a spicy, nutty taste to the dish.

You can feel the lemon flavor when you taste the coriander seeds. Besides, coriander seeds are also ground to create coriander powder. To get a yummy dish, you should add a moderate amount of coriander, then taste and increase if you are unsatisfied.

7. Cumin Will Replace Cardamom In Whipping Up Delicious Plates

Another spice that will not disappoint as an alternative to cardamom is cumin. Dishes in India, the Middle East, and Latin American countries often contain cumin. Cumin is a super suitable option to substitute for black cardamom.

But isn’t there many kinds of cumin? What type of cumin am I supposed to go for to substitute black cardamom? Truth to be told, the best choice would be the variety of cumin you see every day – Cuminum Cyminum.

So can you describe the flavor of cumin and what makes them become a good replacing solution? Cumin will bring a sweet and bitter flavor to your dish. It’s warm and earthy taste will increase the flavor of food that contains cumin.

You can use cumin instead of cardamom when cooking soup or making sauces, meat dishes, curries, rice, or vegetables without cardamom, thanks to its rich flavor – using an appropriate amount according to the dish’s requirements.

8. Do Not Forget Ginger!

Ginger will be a perfect substitute for cardamom in many different dishes. Ginger brings great flavor to both sweet and savory dishes. You can feel the taste of ginger in cakes, curries, or stews. Ginger has a mild spicy taste and will bring a warm feeling to your dish.

You do not need to spend a lot of money buying ginger. Both fresh, ground, and powder forms are good for your dish. The flavor of fresh ginger will be better than ground ginger, so it is crucial to learn the best ways to mince ginger into small pieces like a professional chef.

Ginger also has a unique and attractive aroma. Both ginger and cardamom have similar flavors with spicy warm and citrus taste, so they are compatible substitutes for each other. I often replace ginger with cardamom in a 1:1 ratio to bring out the best flavor for the dishes.

9. Galangal Plays A Vital Role In List Of Cardamom Substitutes

Like cardamom, galangal also belongs to the ginger family. Galangal has a texture quite similar to ginger, but it is lighter, and has smoother skin. The taste of galangal varies by type. Most of them have a sharp, earthy, clean and citrusy flavor like cardamom.

Galangal has an intense aroma. You can use galangal in many forms, such as fresh, ground, or powder to replace cardamom. Moreover, grating, chopping, or drying them are also fantastic choices to use galangal.

To create unique flavors for dishes, you can add galangal to meat dishes, marinades, stews, or soups. Besides being widely used in cuisine, galangal is also used in many medical fields. Use a sufficient amount of galangal as a substitute for cardamom.

Jump into the kitchen to discover some ultimate guides to use galangal.

10. Apple Pie Spice Is A Perfect Flavor Combination Of Nutmeg, Cinnamon, And Allspice

The taste of apple pie spice is a harmonious combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Apple pie spice is perfect for adding sweet treats, such as cakes, pies, smoothies, muffins, etc.

You can also add a few other spices to make apple pie spice unique. Do not use too much apple pie spice at one time, and you should add a small amount, then test the taste and add if you feel it is not enough.

11. Black Cardamom Is The Best Choice For Savory Recipes

You can use black cardamom to replace green or white cardamom and vice versa. However, you should not use black cardamom in desserts or sweet dishes because it can ruin your dishes.

The distinctive flavor of black cardamom is spicy and smoky. You can feel a bit of minty aroma when you smell black cardamom. When adding black cardamom to a dish, you should use black cardamom pods and do not forget to discard them after the dish is done.

Black cardamom will go well with savory recipes. You should use black cardamom to substitute for green or white cardamom in a 1:1 ratio to bring the best effect for your recipes.

12. How To Use Cardamom Pod To Replace Cardamom Powder?

In case you do not have cardamom powder or the dish requires no cardamom powder, you can use cardamom pods as an alternative to cardamom powder. Both cardamom pod and cardamom powder have the same flavor, so do not worry!

If you want to use cardamom pods to replace cardamom powder, you should use 10 cardamom pods instead of ½ teaspoon cardamom powder. This recipe only applies to dishes that require ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder.

Combining Different Spices To Make Fantastic Replacements For Cardamom

Besides using single spices to substitute for cardamom, you can also combine different seasonings to create a cardamom alternative. The following combination of recipes will make you admire them.

13. Cardamom Substitute From Mixing Cinnamon And Nutmeg

Despite some gaps between cinnamon and nutmeg, their combination is still a perfect alternative to cardamom. The nutmeg and the cinnamon sweetness will blend and create a well-balanced flavor. This taste is suitable for replacing cardamom in sweet dishes.

You can use this alternative to add extra flavor to bakes, curries, or spicy dishes. When you use cinnamon sticks and whole nutmeg, you should not use them in baked dishes, and it is better for stews, soups, and curries.

It would help if you use ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon nutmeg to replace 1 teaspoon cardamom powder for the best substitute effect,

14. Cinnamon And Cloves Combination Is An Excellent Replacement For Cardamom

Cardamom is often used to add to dishes in pods and can be discarded or kept when the dish is finished. You can also use cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to substitute for cardamom pods in cooked dishes, such as soups and stews.

However, you should use cinnamon powder and clove powder to replace cardamom in cakes to keep the texture of the cakes. Using a balanced amount of cinnamon and cloves with ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon cloves instead of 1 teaspoon cardamom.

15. Another Great Choice Is The Mixture Of Cinnamon And Ginger

Another mixture that you can use as a substitute for cardamom is a combination of cinnamon and ginger. The mixture of cinnamon and ginger will bring warmth to your dishes. Cinnamon and ginger will help you forget cardamon nostalgia.

The mixture of ginger and cinnamon will bring a characteristic aroma as well as a mild spicy taste to your dish. You can use them in meat and savory dishes in a ratio of ½ cinnamon and ½ ginger to replace 1 cardamom.

16. Using Nutmeg And Cloves To Substitute For Cardamom In Savory Recipes

Nutmeg and cloves will add flavor to meat and savory dishes in case you cannot find cardamom. With a characteristic aroma, taste and somewhat similar to cardamom, the mixture of nutmeg and cloves is a perfect substitute for cardamom.

For best results, use a balanced amount of nutmeg and cloves in place of cardamom. ½ teaspoon nutmeg and ½ teaspoon cloves make a remarkable replacement for 1 teaspoon cardamom.

17. You Can Not Neglect The Cumin And Coriander Mixture For Cardamom Substitute

If you are running out of cardamom when cooking curries and meats that require spiciness, you can use a mixture of cumin and coriander instead. Cumin and coriander will bring earth taste, warmth, and aroma to dishes.

Combine half of the cumin and coriander in equal proportions to substitute for 1 teaspoon of cardamom. In particular, remember not to use the mixture of cumin and coriander as a replacement for cardamom sweet dishes because it can destroy the dishes.

Nutrition Facts And Health Benefits Of Cardamom

As I know, cardamom contains many good nutrients and has a lot of health benefits. To better understand these facts, I will give you all I know about the nutrition facts and health benefits of cardamom.

1. The Nutritional Components Of Cardamom

Cardamom contains many essential nutrients, such as protein, fiber, carbs, and calories. In addition, cardamom is also a source of vitamins and various minerals for the body, such as vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, etc.

The table below will provide you with the nutritional components in 100 grams cardamom. Check it right away!

2. Improve Your Health With Some Fantastic Benefits Of Cardamom

Cardamom contains many nutrients that help protect your health. What health benefits will you get from using cardamom? Discover those benefits right now!

• Cardamom contains antioxidants and helps prevent blood pressure-related diseases, thanks to its better urinary function ⁽¹⁾.
• Cardamom includes compounds that help prevent the growth of cancer cells. This enables you to reduce the risks of getting serious cancers.
• Reduce serious inflammatory diseases with regular cardamom use because cardamom compounds may support inflammation ⁽²⁾.
• According to many studies, cardamom helps with digestive problems. The nutrients in cardamom help you digest better as well as prevent ulcers.
• If you are experiencing bad breath and tooth decay, you should use cardamom. It will help kill the bacteria that affect your breath and oral health.
• Cardamom contains crucial oils that help prevent bacteria growth and fight infections.

Cardamom is also a spice that supports weight loss. In addition, cardamom also brings many benefits to your liver. It helps prevent liver weight and fatty liver disease.

FAQs

As I researched this topic, I received pretty a few questions regarding substitutes for cardamom. I will answer the questions I have received to bring more diverse knowledge to you.

What Will You Do With These Substitutes?

Besides helping to bring many new and unique flavors to the dish, this list of substitutes can also help you win the game of listing substitutes. Let these alternatives refresh the flavor of your dishes.

Enjoying delicious foods is a pleasure of this life. These cardamom replacements will bring new joy and experience to you. Like and share if you like these substitutes. Introduce other alternatives through comments. Thanks a lot!

References

1. Sysrevpharm.org. 2021.
2. “Cardamom powder supplementation prevents obesity, improves glucose intolerance, inflammation and oxidative stress in liver of high carbohydrate high fat diet induced obese rats.”