Choose an easy star anise substitute from this list to use in any of your favorite savory or sweet recipes! Some alternatives share its signature licorice flavor while others are a great match for its warm and woodsy profile. No matter which you choose, these ground star anise substitutes will always work in a pinch!
Best Ground Star Anise Substitutes
Star anise is one of the prettiest spices. Shaped like an actual star this licorice-flavored spice is a beautiful addition to holiday drinks like mulled wine and spiced cider. However, while many of us are familiar with the whole version of star anise you may have just learned that there is also a ground version of this spice.
Ground star anise maintains the same flavor notes of licorice as the whole pods. Simply in a more concentrated and versatile form. Star anise that is ground can easily be mixed into everything from dough to spice rubs. Therefore, it can be used to enhance the flavor of sweet baked goods as well as savory meat dishes.
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Whether you find yourself needing a star anise substitute for a sweet or savory dish or a substitute for whole star anise or ground, there are several great choices. In addition, there are a few great choices that do not taste like licorice.
Whatever your substitute needs may be, there is at least one alternative below that will help you maintain a delicious flavor in any recipe – without star anise. Keep reading to find the one that will work best for you.
1. Chinese Five Spice
Chinese Five Spice is known as the best choice for an alternative to ground star anise. One of the reasons for this is that this blend includes star anise as one of the five spices.
In addition to star anise, Chinese Five Spice also includes cloves, cinnamon, pepper, and fennel seeds. Each of these spices is meant to reflect a different fundamental flavor in cooking: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami.
This complex flavor combination is what adds depth of flavor to some of your favorite savory Chinese dishes. However, it can also be used to add warmth to sweet dishes like pumpkin pie. Just like star anise on its own, it is a very versatile spice.
Use Chinese Five Spice to replace ground star anise in any recipe. Be mindful that this blend is more intense with the added spices than star anise on its own. Therefore, start with ¾ the amount the recipe calls for (1 ½ teaspoons of Chinese Five Spice to replace 2 teaspoons of ground star anise).
2. Allspice
While allspice sounds like a blend of several spices it is actually a single spice. However, it has the flavor of several spices, specifically clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Therefore, it provides a complex flavor that offers warmth and depth to a dish.
Like star anise, allspice can be used in savory and sweet dishes. It is especially popular around the holiday season for adding flavor to gingerbread and hot teas and ciders.
One distinct difference between star anise is that allspice does not taste like licorice. Therefore, it is a great choice for those who want a rich warm flavor but do not like the licorice undertones of star anise.
While you can use allspice on its own in a 1:1 ratio for star anise a simple addition of either sugar or pepper can elevate this spice. In addition to the 1:1 substitution, add a pinch of sugar for sweet recipes of a pinch of ground black pepper for savory recipes.
3. Caraway Seeds + Tarragon
Caraway seeds have a woodsy flavor profile and hints of licorice. They are slightly bitter and commonly used in savory dishes.
Tarragon is known for having a sweeter flavor profile with notes of vanilla, mint, and eucalyptus.
When combined, these two spices create a lovely complex flavor that resembles the warm and complex flavor of star anise.
Mix half a teaspoon of caraway seeds and half a teaspoon of dried tarragon to replace 1 teaspoon of ground anise. This blend can be used in baking or as a spice rub.
It can also be added to stews and sauces. However, Caraway seeds become more bitter the longer they are cooked. Therefore, to avoid them being too bitter add them during the last 15 minutes of anything that is simmering.
4. Cassia Bark Powder
Cassia bark powder may sound like a new spice, but you have probably used this more than you realize. Known as Chinese cinnamon this spice tastes like most cinnamons you have had.
Most ground cinnamon you buy at the grocery store is made from ground cassia bark. Therefore, if you have a bottle of ground cinnamon in your spice cabinet grab it as a substitute.
Cassia bark powder has a more straightforward flavor than star anise. So, while it will add warmth and help enrich the overall flavor of the dish it will not have the same complexity as star anise. It also will not have the licorice flavor.
To avoid overpowering other flavors in the dish start with only half the amount of this warm and savory spice (½ teaspoon cassia bark powder or ground cinnamon in place of 1 teaspoon star anise). You can add more if desired once you taste the dish.
5. Licorice Root
Licorice root is not as common to have in your spice cabinet as ground cinnamon. However, if you have some on hand it can be a great substitute for those who want the bold licorice flavor.
One thing to note is that licorice root is not safe for pregnant women. Therefore, be mindful of whom you are cooking for.
On its own, licorice root is a better substitute for sweet dishes. However, it can be used in small amounts to help elevate the flavors of savory dishes.
Use it in a 1:1 exchange for desserts and other sweet recipes. Start with about a quarter of the measurement for savory dishes and add more if desired.
6. Anise Extract
Anise extract is made from anise seeds. While it sounds like this may be from the seeds of star anise it is it’s a completely different spice.
However, although anise seeds come from a different plant than star anise, they share one key quality. The taste of licorice.
While anise seeds share the same licorice flavor found in star anise it is a less complex flavor profile and leans toward the sweeter side. Therefore, any anise substitute (whether anise extract or anise seeds) is best used to replace star anise in sweet recipes.
Anise extract is a concentrated liquid form of anise seeds. Although it is a different form than dry ground star anise it can be used in an easy 1:1 exchange. Try it as a substitute for baked goods or sweet teas.
6. Sambuca
Sambuca is an Italian liquor made from star anise. Therefore, the flavor is on point as a substitute and will provide you with one of the best flavor exchanges.
However, sambuca is on the sweeter side due to the way the liqueur is made. This makes it a great choice for replacing star anise in desserts and sweet drinks (like mulled wine). Another thing to consider is that this is an alcohol substitute. While the alcohol will cook out when heated, it is worth noting.
While it is made from star anise the flavor is diluted in the liqueur compared to the concentrated form of ground star anise. To get the same punch of flavor use 1 tablespoon of sambuca in place of ½ teaspoon of ground star anise.
7. Licorice Liqueur
Licorice liqueur is a lot like sambuca except it is made from licorice root instead of star anise. Therefore, it will provide a more straightforward licorice flavor.
Use it in the same way as sambuca for a bold licorice flavor in any dessert.
The Best Substitutes for Whole Star Anise
8. Anise Seeds
As mentioned above anise seeds are not the same as star anise. However, they share the same licorice flavor. They also come in a similar-sized pod that can be used in the same way star anise pods are used.
Like anise extract, the seeds are best used for recipes on the sweeter side. The pods are a bit more pungent than the extract though so you will only need ¾ the amount. Use 3 anise seeds in place of 4 star anise pods.
9. Fennel Seeds
Fennel is a vegetable known for having licorice flavor undertones. However, while the whole vegetable has been known to have a licorice flavor the strongest flavor is in the seeds. Although, compared to star anise the overall flavor of fennel seeds is a bit lighter.
Moreover, these seeds have a more earthy and woodsy flavor than star anise. This makes them a better substitute for savory dishes—especially meat dishes or richly flavored sauces.
Although the flavor profile is lighter than star anise the woodsy elements can quickly overpower a dish. Therefore, use only a ¼ the amount of what the recipe calls for in star anise. This substitute can be used for both ground star anise and whole star anise.
Choose a ground star anise substitute from this list and you can't go wrong! Come back and let us know how your recipe turns out by leaving a comment below!
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