Spice & Herb Substitutes
Missing a spice or herb? Find the closest flavor match from your existing spice rack for any recipe.
113 ingredients · 447 tested substitutes
Spices and herbs define a dish's character, so finding the right substitute means understanding the flavor profile you are trying to replicate. Warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice) often interchange. Mediterranean herbs (oregano, thyme, marjoram) share similar notes. The guides below help you find the closest match from whatever is already in your spice rack.
Most Popular in This Category
Vanilla Extract
Top pick: Vanilla Bean Paste
Cinnamon
Top pick: Allspice
Cumin
Top pick: Ground Coriander
Paprika
Top pick: Cayenne Pepper (small amount)
Basil
Top pick: Oregano
Cilantro
Top pick: Flat-Leaf Parsley
All Spice & Herb Ingredients
Vanilla Extract
Cocoa Powder
Cinnamon
Cumin
Paprika
Nutmeg
Allspice
Thyme
Rosemary
Basil
Parsley
Cilantro
Curry Leaves
Mustard Seeds
Asafoetida (Hing)
Kasuri Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves)
Amchur (Dried Mango Powder)
Advieh (Persian Spice Blend)
Aleppo Pepper
Ancho Paste
Ancho Peppers
Baharat
Bastilla Spice Mix
Thai Bird's Eye Chili
Biryani Masala
Black Pepper
Bouquet Garni
Cajun
Canned Chilies
Cascabel Peppers
Cayenne
Cayenne pepper
Chaat Masala
Chervil
Chili Pepper
Chili powder
Chilis
Chole Masala
Clove Powder
Crayfish Powder
Curry Leaf Powder
Dashi Powder
Dawadawa Powder
Dill
Dill Seed
Dried Oregano
Dried Red Chilies
Dukkah
Espelette Pepper
Fines Herbes
Five Spice Powder
Furikake
Green Chilies
Green Pepper
Green Seasoning
Guajillo Paste
Guajillo Peppers
Hawaij (Yemeni Spice Blend)
Herbes De Provence
Huacatay (Black Mint)
Italian seasoning
Jerk Seasoning (Wet)
Kabab Masala
Kashmiri Chili Powder
Kasoori Methi Powder
Kefta Spice Mix
Kishk Powder
Long Pepper (Pippali)
Marjoram
Matcha Powder
Mexican Chili Powder
Mexican Oregano
Mint
Mitmita Spice Blend
Moringa Powder
Mulato Peppers
Mushroom Powder
Onion Powder
Oregano
Pasilla Peppers
Pepperoni
Piment d'Espelette
Pimentos
Pimentón de la Vera
Poultry Seasoning
Powdered Ginger
Rasam Powder
Red Chili Powder
Red Pepper
Roasted Chili Paste (Nam Prik Pao)
Rocoto Pepper
Sambar Powder
Sansho Pepper
Sazon Seasoning
Scotch Bonnet Paste
Scotch Bonnet Pepper
Shichimi Togarashi
Shiro Powder
Sichuan Chili Flakes
Smoked Fish Powder
Suya Spice
Suya Spice Blend
Tabil (Tunisian Spice Blend)
Tandoori Masala
Tarragon
Thai Chili
Togarashi
Urfa Pepper
Vietnamese Mint
White Pepper
Yellow Pepper
Garlic Powder
Red Pepper Flakes
Recipe-Specific Guides
Need a substitute for a specific recipe? These guides give tailored advice for common dishes.
Vanilla Extract in Cookies
Best: Vanilla Bean Paste
Vanilla Extract in Cake
Best: Vanilla Bean Paste
Vanilla Extract in Frosting
Best: Vanilla Bean Paste
Vanilla Extract in Ice Cream
Best: Vanilla Bean (whole)
Vanilla Extract in Pudding
Best: Vanilla Bean Paste
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common spice & herb substitutes?
The most commonly substituted spice & herb ingredients include Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon, Cumin, Paprika. Each has multiple alternatives with exact ratios for different recipes.
Are there vegan spice & herb alternatives?
Yes, most spice & herb ingredients have vegan alternatives. Check each ingredient page for options marked with the vegan badge.
How many spice & herb substitutes are available?
We have 447 tested substitutes across 113 spice & herb ingredients, each with exact ratios and recipe-specific advice.