The Star Anise Substitute List You Can Rely On

Use the right star anise substitute to give your recipes the complex flavor profile they need to satiate your guests' hunger and cravings.

While there are lots of ingredients that can replace star anise, beginning home cooks can be overwhelmed. Some might end up using substitutes with a strong flavor, affecting the overall taste and aroma of the food they're serving.

I have been in the same situation, so I am sharing with you my list of go-to substitutes for whole star anise and ground star anise seed.

Jump to:

• 5 Highly Recommended Whole Star Anise Substitutes
• 4 Ground Star Anise Substitutes
• Start Using the Suitable Star Anise Substitute in Your Recipe!
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5 Highly Recommended Whole Star Anise Substitutes

Whole star anise adds flavor, aroma, and texture to your recipes, so I made sure the substitutes I included in my list do the same. But before we start, I want you to keep in mind that one whole star anise is equivalent to one teaspoon.

1. Anise Seeds

Since they have the same licorice flavor and aroma, anise seeds are often confused with star anise but are different spices. Star anise is more commonly used in Chinese cuisine, while anise seeds are a more popular ingredient in Indian, Italian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and German cuisines.

Not only that but anise seeds has milder flavor notes than the whole anise. As such, you need to replace one whole anise with two teaspoons of anise seeds to give your baked goods and sweet and savory dishes the same amount of slightly spicy, bitter, licorice taste.

I sometimes even add a few seeds to my hot and cold beverages that list star anise as a flavor enhancer.

Best for just about anything.

Related: 18 Highly Recommended Dill Substitutes

2. Whole Licorice Root

If you want to give your recipes a stronger or bolder licorice flavor, try looking for the whole licorice root. Use the same amount of licorice root in your sweet dishes, desserts, and baked goods as what the recipe listed for star anise.

Whole licorice root can also infuse some sweetness into your savory dishes, marinades, and sauces. Just make sure you don't add a little too much.

I suggest adding a quarter of the amount of the required star anise in your recipe and then just add more when your need or want to.

One thing to note about licorice root is that you should refrain from using it in your recipes if you're serving someone who is pregnant. It can cause side and adverse effects like nausea, water retention, and bloating.

Best for just about anything.

3. Fennel Seeds

Like anise seeds, fennel seeds have a mildly spicy, licorice flavor but can still ensure you serve delicious meals. My only issue with fennel seeds is that they also have earthy, woody flavor notes that can overpower some ingredients and affect the overall balance of flavor of some recipes.

It's why fennel seeds are best used for richly flavored dishes and sauces. I also advise adding fewer fennel seeds than what the recipe calls for star anise.

Based on my experience, the right substitution ratio is for every star anise, you must replace it with ¼ teaspoon of fennel seeds.

Best for savory dishes and sauces.

Related: Best Fennel Seed Substitutes for Your Recipes

4. Whole Cloves

Whole cloves are a versatile star anise substitute thanks to their pungent, warm, earthy distinct flavor with sweet and bitter notes.

With its strong and distinct flavor, you will only need to add one-fourth of the amount of what the recipe requires for star anise. For instance, replace one whole anise with ¼ teaspoon of whole cloves.

However, cloves' aroma and flavor become stronger and more distinct when cooked for an extended period. It's why you have to make sure you add the cloves 15 minutes or less before the end of the cooking process.

Removing the cloves once your dishes are cooked and once you have infused their flavors in your drinks is also advisable.

Best for savory dishes.

5. Caraway Seeds and Tarragon

Do you have leftover caraway seeds and tarragon from cooking your favorite curry, linguine, or pickles? Maximize their use by combining the two ingredients and replacing star anise in your recipes.

Caraway seeds are known for their woodsy flavor profile with hints of pepper and licorice flavor and a slightly bitter taste. Meanwhile, tarragon has a mild licorice flavor with eucalyptus, mint, pepper, and vanilla flavor notes.

When combined, the two ingredients will give your dishes a warm, complex flavor that closely resembles star anise's.

To ensure you achieve the right balance of flavors, combine equal amounts of caraway seeds and tarragon and then wrap them in a muslin cloth. Make sure you tie the cloth to secure the two ingredients.

Now, how do you use this mixture of tarragon caraway seeds? Simply add the same amount of the caraway seeds mixed with tarragon as what the recipe calls for star anise.

When using it in your soups, stews, or any recipe requiring simmering, make sure you add the ingredient 15 minutes or less before the end of the cooking process.

You must also remove the tarragon caraway seeds. The caraway seeds will produce a stronger flavor and aroma when left for an extended period, which might affect your recipe's overall quality and balance of flavor.

Best for baked goodies, sauces, stews, soups, and spice rubs.

Related: 11 Best Coriander Substitutes To Whip Up Flavorful Dishes

4 Ground Star Anise Substitutes

Ground star anise is versatile enough that you can use it to flavor your drinks, dishes, desserts, and baked goods. Like with the whole variety, you'll be glad to know that your pantry and local grocery stores are filled with ingredients you can use as a good substitute for ground star anise.

1. Chinese Five Spice Powder

As one of the most easily accessible spice powder products that some of you might already have in your pantry, Chinese five spice powder deserves the number one spot in my list of ground star anise substitutes.

The spice mixture contains ground star anise, which is responsible for its licorice taste and aroma, while the ground cloves, fennel seeds, and cinnamon give it a warm, sweet, woody flavor. Chinese five spice powder also has ground peppercorns that add to its earthy flavor and give it a cooling effect.

With this complex flavor, the Chinese five spice powder gives your savory dishes, sauces, and marinades their much-needed depth of flavor. It's also the perfect star anise substitute for pies, rice dishes, beverages, and even sweet dishes and treats.

That said, you must use your Chinese five spice powder in your recipes sparingly since it can throw off the balance of flavors.

For your savory dish recipe, add three-fourths of the amount required for ground star anise. Meanwhile, only add half or one-fourth of the amount your sweet recipes require for star anise powder.

Lastly, when using Chinese five spice powder in your hot beverages, just add a pinch or two to help enhance the flavors. Adding more might give you an unpalatable drink.

Best for just about anything.

Related: 8 Best Chinese 5 Spice Substitutes Home Cooks Will Love

2. Ground Anise Seeds

Since whole anise seeds are an excellent star anise substitute, it's not surprising that ground anise is also a perfect substitute for ground star anise. Simply replace ground star anise with twice the amount of ground anise seed.

Best for just about anything.

3. Pure Anise Extract

An extract made from anise seeds, this ingredient also has a bitter, spicy, licorice flavor as the whole and ground anise seeds. However, it's more concentrated, so it has a stronger aroma and flavor profile.

Hence, I recommend that you control the amount you use when replacing ground star anise with anise extract. What worked best for my baking, beverage, savory, and sweet recipes is a 2:1 (ground anise:anise extract) substitution rato.

Meaning for every teaspoon of ground star anise listed in your recipe, add half a teaspoon of your pure anise extract. But for beverages, only add a drop or two of the extract to ensure you don't serve a drink with an off-putting, strong anise flavor and aroma.

Best for just about anything.

4. Cassia Bark Powder

Those who aren't aware will be surprised to know that cassia bark powder is a less popular type of cinnamon than the pantry staple, Ceylon cinnamon powder. Some of you might already used it a few times in your recipes without even knowing it, as it's sometimes labeled as Chinese cinnamon.

Although it doesn't have the signature licorice flavor, cassia bark powder is a good substitute for star anise powder. That's all thanks to its warm, enriching, woody, sweet, and spicy taste with citrusy notes.

Whether you're baking your favorite pie, bread, and cake or cooking a hot soup, stir fry, roast lamb, or chicken rotisserie, replacing star anise powder with ground cassia bark won't disappoint. Just make sure you only add half the amount of what the recipe requires.

For your hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and even cold beverages, just a pinch or two of ground cassia bark will enhance their flavors and aromas!

Best for just about anything.

Related: 10 Best Cardamom Substitutes To Use at Home

Start Using the Suitable Star Anise Substitute in Your Recipe!

While there is no one perfect substitute for star anise because of its distinct complex flavor, the ingredients I have listed above will give a flavor and aroma that will remind your guests of star anise. From mildly flavored to strongly flavored options, you're sure to find one that will work well with the other ingredients included in the recipe.

Just keep in mind what alternative ingredient is best used for your savory, sweet, beverage, or baking recipes. I also strongly suggest you follow the substitution ratio and tips I shared for each ingredient substitute. You can also experiment with the amount that will work well for your recipes, but make sure you start with a low amount to avoid wasting your ingredients, time, and effort.

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