Star anise are the pretty little seed pods taken from the illicium verum plant. They usually have eight points, with each point holding a seed.
When cooking, people use the seeds and the star-shaped pods to get a distinct anise flavor.
You can purchase star anise in its whole form or a ground or powder form. It has a unique flavor that is a blend of sweet, spicy, licoricey, and slightly warm.
Star anise can also be used in both sweet and savory dishes. However, most people think it can only be used in sweet dishes because of its primarily sweet flavor.
On the contrary, it works excellently in dishes containing beef, citrus, ginger, and nutmeg, to name a few.
If you’re making a dish which calls for star anise and you have none on you, you will have to find a replacement.
Luckily for you, there are a few ingredients that can be used instead of star anise to bring a similar taste to your dish.
Here are a few to help you out!
| Common Anise (Aniseed) | Milder than star anise | Double the amount of common anise for star anise |
| Chinese Five Spice Powder | Contains star anise | 1.5 times the amount of Chinese five spice |
| Fennel Seeds | Similar licorice flavor | Equal amount, more for stronger flavor |
| Ground Cloves and Cassia Bark Powder | Similar but less intense | Equal mix of both, same amount as star anise |
| Aniseed and Fennel Seeds | Close match to star anise | Equal amount of both aniseed and fennel seeds |
| Allspice | Lacks licorice taste | Same amount as star anise, add sugar for sweetness |
1. Common anise
Though common anise and star anise aren’t the same, they do have that similar licoricey flavor.
But as the common anise is milder and less intense, so you may want to add more of it to get the same intensity as star anise.
Using double the amount of common anise should be enough to substitute for star anise.
- Milder and less intense than star anise.
- Suggested Ratio: Use double the amount of common anise to substitute for star anise.
2. Chinese five spice powder
If you’re looking for a star anise replacement in its powdered form, Chinese five spice should do the trick. It is great for use in meat-based dishes and gravies. And because the Chinese five spice contains ground star anise in its composition of ground spices, it tastes similar to star anise.
You should use about 1.5 times the amount of Chinese five spice as the star anise called for in your recipe. However, you should be prepared for the difference in taste it will bring to your dish because of the four extra spices that accompany the star anise.
If you’re not comfortable with the additional flavors, you might want to opt for a different star anise substitute.
- Contains star anise, with additional flavors.
- Suggested Ratio: Use about 1.5 times the amount of Chinese five spice as star anise.
3. Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds have a similar licorice taste and can be used in several dishes, such as sauces, soups, and curries. They also have an underlying sweet flavor like star anise so that you can use them in sweet dishes.
While it is sweeter than star anise, it doesn’t have the same spice factor—so you will have to use at least 1.5 times the amount of fennel seeds as the star anise that is called for in your recipe.
To balance out the sweet flavor, some people also prefer mixing fennel seeds with common anise.
- Similar licorice flavor, milder.
- Suggested Ratio: Equal amount of fennel seeds can be used, but consider adding more for a stronger flavor.
4. Ground cloves and cassia bark powder
Another star anise replacement is a combination of ground gloves and cassia bark powder.
Use an equal amount of both to get a similar flavor as star anise. However, keep in mind that the flavor won’t be as intense—so you shouldn’t use it for dishes where star anise is the main spice.
This combination works best in meat-based dishes and can be used in the same amount as star anise.
- Similar but less intense flavor.
- Suggested Ratio: Use an equal mix of both, in the same amount as star anise.
5. Aniseed and fennel seeds
When you’re out of star anise, you can also make a combination of aniseed and fennel seeds.
Use an equal amount of both for best results. Aniseed has a similar flavor and aroma as star anise, while fennel seeds provide the sweet, licorice flavor.
Both of these are milder than star anise, so you will have to use a bit more to bring the same flavor to your dish.
- Combines for a closer match to star anise.
- Suggested Ratio: Use an equal amount of both aniseed and fennel seeds to match the quantity of star anise.
6. Allspice
Last but certainly not least, you can use allspice as a star anise substitute.
An allspice alternative works well in beverages, vegetable-based dishes, and even sweet dishes like gingerbread. It does not have the same licorice taste as star anise, but you can add a bit of sugar to get a more star anise-like flavor.
As long as you don’t have a problem with the absence of the licorice flavor, you can use the same amount of allspice as star anise called for in your recipe.
The bottom line
It’s challenging to find a replacement for star anise because of its distinct blend of sweet and savory flavors.
Nevertheless, the ones I’ve mentioned are more than excellent substitutes if you ever run out of star anise. Some of which can be found readily in the very confines of your home.
