Star anise is a fragrant aniseed spice that can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes. It’s unique pungent flavour is pretty hard to replicate; but if you have realised you don’t have it, can’t find it, don’t like it, or just need an alternative for star anise, read on for the best star anise substitutes.
Jump to:
- What is Star anise?
- Countries Used
- Best alternative to star anise: Whole or ground star anise
- Substitute 2: Chinese five-spice powder
- Substitute 3: Fennel seeds
- Substitute 4: Anise seeds / aniseeds
- Substitute 5: Ground cloves and Cinnamon
- FAQ
- Star anise substitutes in particular dishes
- More ingredient substitutes
What is Star anise?
Used in savoury and sweet cooking, the star anise pod (which is shaped like a star, hence its name) comes from the Chinese star anise plant (Illicium verum). Picked unripe and left to ripen in the sun, star anises distinctive anise flavour comes from anethol and tastes warm and sweet, and a little bit spicy with hints of black liqourice.
Countries Used
Chinese, Vietnamese (in pho), Indian (in biryanis) and Middle Eastern cooking. In Western cultures, it’s used in Sambuca, pastis, ouzo and for baking.
Best alternative to star anise: Whole or ground star anise
Whilst whole star anise pods are added to soups, stews and braised dishes, and marinades to infuse flavour before being removed at the end of cooking, ground star anise is used similarly to other ground spices.
Ratio: for 1 whole star anise, substitute ½ teaspoon ground star anise, and vice versa.
Best for:Â all recipes. However if you are using ground instead of whole star anise in drinks, strain the drinks; and if using whole star anise instead of ground remember to remove from the dish before serving.
Substitute 2: Chinese five-spice powder
Star anise is one of the main ingredients used in Chinese five spice, and the ingredient you are likely to taste above all other spices. For this reason, Chinese five spice is one of the best star anise substitutes.
Ratio: For each whole star anise / ½ teaspoon ground star anise, use ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder.
Best for: Chinese five-spice powder is one of the best alternatives to star anise, especially in savoury recipes and those with fatty meats such as pork and duck.
Substitute 3: Fennel seeds
Not as strong in flavour as star anise, fennel seeds are less sweet, but they can still work in dishes as an alternative to star anise.
Ratio: For 1 whole star anise, use ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds.
Best for: fennel seeds will work in most dishes, but pork dishes in particular.
Substitute 4: Anise seeds / aniseeds
Star anise and anise often get confused with one another, however the two spices are unrelated – the Anise is a member of the parsley family. Closest in sweet liqourice flavour to star anise.
Ratio: For 1 whole star anise, use ½ teaspoon of anise seeds
Best for: Cookies and biscuits.
Substitute 5: Ground cloves and Cinnamon
Using equal amounts of ground cloves and cinnamon to make a substitute for star anise.
Ratio: ½ teaspoon each of ground cloves plus ½ teaspoon cinnamon per ½ teaspoon of ground star anise or per whole star anise.
Best for: Meat dishes including stews and casseroles, or baking recipes like gingerbreads.
FAQ
You can substitute star anise for anise seed, although keep in mind they aren’t the same thing. Use ½ teaspoon of anise seeds for every whole star anise.
You can use the whole of the star anise pod, including the seeds, to flavour a dish but remove before serving.
No. Star anise pods are hard and tough. You can add them to soups and stews for flavour, but remove the pods before serving to prevent them from becoming a choking hazard or breaking a tooth.
Star anise substitutes in particular dishes
The best substitute for star anise in pho
Use ½ a teaspoon of ground star anise or ½ teaspoon of Chinese five spice for every whole star anise required in the pho recipe.
The best substitute for star anise in mulled wine
You can use ground star anise in mulled wine and other drinks such as mulled cider, however make sure that you strain it before drinking.
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