Substitute For Ground Cloves

Ground Cloves – The Main Ingredient in Your Recipes!

We have heard about ground cloves since forever; it seems that it dates back thousands of years! No wonder our ancestors always rave about this little dark brown pod-like shape spice. Ground cloves are a key ingredient in recipes that adds a unique flavor to spice mixes. These spice mixes serve best to flavor up our curries, sauces, and meats’ seasoning. In addition, ground cloves add the perfect spicy punch to teas and baking. However, what if we run out of such an important ingredient? In that case, we must know about the best substitute for ground cloves.

In today’s article we will be revealing some of the best alternatives for ground cloves;

Ground cloves are considered the main ingredient in many dishes, and it is mostly used in Asian cuisines- like Pakistani and Indian subcontinent. It has a subtly sweet and slightly bitter flavor, with a dry flower bud of the clove tree on top of it. Above all, the smell of ground cloves, when added in the recipes, is heavenly; it’s warm and woody. They are considered a staple of many culinary spices. Ground cloves pair up well with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg; since they also have a sweet flavor!

Top Substitute for Ground Cloves

Though it is hard to substitute the aromatic and distinctive flavor of ground cloves, the good news is that these substitutes fit into the ground cloves profile quite well. So let’s learn about the substitute for ground cloves and in what quantity we will need them;

Allspice: Allspice is the perfect substitute for ground cloves! They are distinctive in taste, made with one fruit; Allspice berries. Its taste and smell make it a perfect spice mixture, and it can be used as the substitute for almost any spice. Similarly, it can be used as an alternative for ground cloves due to its warm spice and peppery flavor.

Nutmeg:  Nutmeg is another suitable substitute for ground cloves. The best thing about nutmeg is that it is a really good spice option for people with low spice tolerance. It’s a half-sweet and half- spicy flavor. Its aroma makes it a great substitute for ground cloves.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is also considered one of the best substitute for ground cloves. It works great if you want to add spicy yet herbal flavor to your dish.

Cardamom: Cardamom might not be as popular as other spices, but it is a good substitute for ground cloves! You can say that cardamom is a hidden gem. It has a pungently spicy flavor with no particular fragrance. You have to use 2- 3 times extra cardamom to balance out the flavor and smell of ground cloves.

Mace: Mace is an excellent substitute for ground cloves, and it is used in many cuisines. Its taste is a bit peppery, having a herbal smell. However, due to its moderate taste and satisfying smell, it is considered among one of the best ground cloves substitutes!

Origin and Health Benefits of Ground Cloves

Ground Cloves come from the flower buds of the famous evergreen cloves tree. This tree is native to the Moluccas Mountain of Indonesia. Ground cloves are widely used in African, Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Besides, its divine taste and smell, ground cloves also offer multiple health benefits. It helps in preventing and controlling heart diseases, cancer and diabetes. In addition, it offers several nutrient benefits such as vitamins C and K, magnesium, calcium, and minerals.

Storage Tip for Ground Cloves

You can easily store ground cloves in a jar or an airtight container and keep them in your kitchen at room temperature. Just beware that the cloves don’t get wet, as it will ruin their texture and efficacy.

Must-Try Recipes!

• Classic Hummus
• Vegan Avocado Pasta.
• Brown Rice Spaghetti
• Spinach Feta Chicken Longhorn.
• Almond Tea Cake
•  Cauliflower and Kale.

I have personally used these substitutes for ground Cloves, and to my surprise, each one is just a perfect swap for ground cloves! So, if you are running out of ground cloves, just give these substitutes a try! I hope that you are going to love them! Also, don’t forget to share your feedback in the comments section below.