Cardamoms do not start as spices in meals. They begin as small pods with hard shells and tiny seeds inside of them. Then they morph into seasonings after going through several processes.
As the third most expensive spice in the world, cardamom may not always be available. When your recipe calls for it and you’re unable to find it in your area, we suggest trying these substitutes:
Cinnamon and cloves
Half a teaspoon of cinnamon mixed with half a teaspoon of cloves works well as a cardamom substitute, as both have spicy notes that replicate the cardamom’s intense flavors.
Cinnamon and ginger
Cinnamon and ginger add a tasty blend of woody notes and warm spiciness to dishes. The blend has the same kind of taste as cinnamon and cloves, but with a milder flavor.
Cinnamon and nutmeg
A mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg is another good substitute for cardamom. You can add half a teaspoon each to your meal instead of one teaspoon of cardamom.
Cinnamon
If all you have is cinnamon, you’ve found just the right substitute. It has woody notes and a pungent taste that makes it stand out amongst other spices to use as a cardamom substitute.
Allspice
Allspice is another handy substitute for cardamom. It has some hints of ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and goes well with many dishes.
Cumin and coriander
If you don’t find any of the aforementioned combinations, you can try applying a blend of cumin and coriander. This spice blend works best for meat dishes and curries.
Allspice and peppercorns
If you’re not satisfied with using allspice alone, you may try mixing it with some ground peppercorns. This will add more sharpness to your meals and make your dishes tastier.
Ground coriander, nutmeg and peppercorns
This combination is considered the best one for savory dishes. Mix the same quantity of ground coriander, nutmeg and peppercorns to get this splendid spice.
Apple pie spice
Rather than sprinkling green cardamom powder over your dishes, you can use the apple pie spice, which is made of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Cinnamon, ground allspice, and ground nutmeg
To get this combination, you can mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon, one-eighth teaspoon of ground allspice, and one-eighth teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
cumin
This substitute is mostly found in savory dishes. A teaspoon of cumin in your food will do a job quite similar to what a teaspoon of cardamom will.
faq
Can you eat cardamom pods whole?
Yes.
Is cardamom gluten-free?
In most cases, yes.
Where is cardamom sold?
In any grocery store.
What are the side effects?
There are not any risks known.
However popular they are, cardamoms may not always be available all the time. By adding one of these 11 cardamom substitutes to your recipe, you can enjoy a good flavor and make your dishes tasty.