A mace substitute might not be needed often, but when it is make sure you know what ingredients will work in its place! Not everyone keeps mace on hand, so it's best to have a backup plan. Check and see if you have any of these easy mace alternatives in your pantry or spice cabinet!
Best Mace Substitutes
You may have been taken aback when you saw mace listed as an ingredient in your recipe. Most of us think of mace as a form of pepper spray for self-defense. However, the spice mace has its own little punch, but it is in the flavor department rather than the physical.
Mace is an aromatic spice related to nutmeg. It is produced from the outer coating of nutmeg seeds. Therefore, nutmeg will be one of the best substitutes for mace. However, it is not the only substitute!
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Below you will find several other great substitutes to help mimic or replace the sweet woodsy warmth of mace. Moreover, most of these alternatives can easily be used in sweet and savory dishes just like mace.
1. Nutmeg
Since mace and nutmeg come from the same plant, they share similar flavor profiles. However, there are some mild differences.
Nutmeg has a slightly stronger flavor. This is because it is made from the ground seed, while mace comes from only the seed’s outer coating. In addition, nutmeg is a bit sweeter than mace.
Therefore, replacing mace with nutmeg will give your dish a little more kick in the flavor department. However, because the flavor is quite similar, it will not overpower your dish or greatly change the flavor.
If you like your dish to have a stronger flavor, go ahead with a 1:1 substitution. You can also start with ¾ of nutmeg (¾ teaspoon nutmeg for 1 teaspoon mace) and add more if desired.
2. Allspice
Another great substitute for mace is allspice. While the name makes it seem like this is a blend of several spices it is a single spice. It is a dried fruit seed that comes from a tree predominantly found in Jamaica.
Although it is a single spice, allspice has a naturally complex flavor profile. The flavor resembles a blend of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Some also identify notes of ginger.
The complexity and warmth of this spice has many similarities to mace. Therefore, making it a great alternative.
While it is a wonderful option for maintaining a similar flavor to the original recipe, allspice is quite a bit stronger than mace. To avoid overdoing it and changing the flavor of your recipe too much, start by using less than the recipe calls for.
Although some cooks say you can start with a full 1:1 ratio, I suggest beginning with only half the amount. Once you have tasted the dish, add more if needed or desired.
3. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin Pie Spice is a blend of several other spices. Typically, it includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
As you can see, this blend includes several flavors that work well on their own to replace mace. Therefore, once blended they can also work as a wonderful substitute.
There are a couple of different ways you can use pumpkin pie spice as a substitute for mace. It will depend on the recipe and the flavor you want.
You can replace all your spices with pumpkin pie spice for recipes that call for other spices in addition to mace, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or allspice. Look at the combined measurement of all spices and swap it out with a 1:1 exchange of pumpkin pie spice.
If mace is the only spice used, then you can also use a 1:1 ratio. However, be mindful that the combination of flavors in pumpkin pie spice will slightly shift the overall flavor of your dish. Therefore, I suggest starting with a little bit less and adding more to taste.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the best substitutes for mace simply because it is one that most people already have at home. In addition, it also has a lovely flavor that mimics the warmth of mace.
However, while cinnamon resembles mace’s warm flavor tones, it has a distinctly different flavor. Therefore, using it as a substitute will lend a slightly different flavor to your recipe.
This is not necessarily a bad thing though. Especially if you don’t like the flavor of mace.
Start with ¾ the amount of cinnamon in place of mace. Add more if desired.
5. Ginger
Another option for those who want a flavor other than mace is ginger. However, ginger has a much spicier flavor profile than cinnamon.
The pungent flavor of ginger will give your dish a little bit of a kick. It is especially great if you need a mace substitute for an earthy sauce, such as something made with soy sauce.
While ginger is a bit stronger on its own, the flavor also mellows a bit when cooked. Therefore, you can use ¾ of the suggested measurement. As with any spice substitute, feel free to add more (or less) for your desired flavor preference.
6. Garam Masala
Garam Masala is a lovely spice blend that comes from India. While the blend can vary depending on who makes it, it traditionally includes cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black peppercorns, nutmeg, and mace.
As you can see, this blend is quite complex compared to mace on its own. In addition, it has many new flavors like cumin, coriander, and cardamom. In addition, some blends also include garlic, fennel seeds, fenugreek, and dried red chiles.
Since the garam masala blends can vary, this bold alternative is best used only if you are familiar with the blend. Moreover, if it is a flavor that you already enjoy.
Depending on the blend you have of garam masala, it may work better for savory or sweet dishes. However, this sweet and spicy blend will usually work for both types of cooking.
Start with half of the measurement and add more if desired.
7. Apple Pie Spice
If you have apple pie spice in the cupboard after the holidays, it can work as a mace substitute. However, unlike its cousin pumpkin pie spice which has a bit more warmth, apple pie spice leans towards the sweeter side.
Made primarily of cinnamon, with smaller amounts of allspice, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg this will work best to replace mace in desserts. It could also be used in sweet sauces or other baked goods.
Even when using apple pie spice in sweeter recipes it is still best to start with about half the amount the recipe calls for in mace.
8. Cloves
The pungent and spicy flavor of cloves can quickly overpower other flavors, especially sweet dishes. Therefore, while apple pie spice is best used for sweet recipes, cloves are best used only for savory dishes.
Although cloves can be found in their whole form the best substitute is ground cloves. This will be easier to measure and mix into a recipe.
To avoid overpowering your recipe, start with only half the measurement. This will most likely be more than enough to add a bit of flavor kick to your recipe.
9. Cloves + Cinnamon
Due to their pungent flavor, cloves are usually combined with other spices. Therefore, if you have cinnamon on hand you may want to blend the two for a mace substitute.
The blend will vary depending on your desired level of flavor. You can use more cinnamon for a sweeter profile or more cloves for a spicier flavor. A 50/50 blend will give you a balance of both.
Depending on your recipe and taste preference, play around with different ratios of these two spices to find your best mace substitute.
10. Cardamon
Cardamom has a unique and pungent flavor. In addition to the sweet and spicy notes that are similar to mace, it also has hints of mint and citrus.
The added flavor notes in cardamom will give you a distinctly different flavor compared to mace. However, the bold flavor will easily elevate the flavor of your dish.
If you are familiar with cardamom's flavor and enjoy it, it can be a fun switch for those who don’t like the taste of mace. Start with using half the amount called for.
11. Cumin
Like cardamom, cumin is another spice that will distinctly change the flavor of your recipe. However, it is also a common spice that many home cooks already have at home.
Moreover, its bold and spicy flavor is one many people enjoy. You may recognize its sweet and spicy flavor with earthy undertones from your favorite Mexican dish.
If you are in a pinch and making a savory dish, give cumin a try in place of mace. Best to start with half the measurement. Again, you can always add more if needed.
Your recipe will still pack a punch of flavor if you choose a mace substitute from this list! Let us know what you're making by reaching out in the comment section below!
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Best Mace Substitute: Ground Nutmeg ( + More Great Alternatives To Use!)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- If you like your dish to have a more robust flavor, use nutmeg as a 1:1 substitution. You can also start with ¾ of nutmeg (¾ teaspoon nutmeg for 1 teaspoon mace) and add more if desired.
- Although some cooks say you can substitute allspice for mace in a full 1:1 ratio, I suggest beginning with only half the amount. Once you have tastedthe dish, add more if needed or desired.
- You can replace allyour spices with pumpkin pie spice for recipes that call for other spices inaddition to mace, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or allspice. Look at thecombined measurement of all spices and swap it out with a 1:1 exchange ofpumpkin pie spice.If mace is the only spiceused, then you can also use a 1:1 ratio
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