Quick Reference Spice Chart

Testing for Freshness  Storage  Adding Spices and Herbs to Food

Grinding and Toasting or Dry Roasting  Restricted Diets


 
 



   A dozen spices essential for every kitchen. Plus, how to personalize your pantry!


   In a pinch? Equivalency chart for whole vs. ground and fresh vs. dried spices & herbs.

 
  Suggested Substitutions
Missing a critical flavoring ingredient? This handy chart shows you substitutions for important herbs, spices and extracts.

ALLSPICE
ARROWROOT
BACON BITS
BASIL
BAY LEAF
BEEF STOCK BASE
BELL PEPPER
BRANDY FLAVORING
CARDAMOM
CELERY
CHERVIL
CHICKEN STOCK SEASONED BASE
CINNAMON
CLOVES
GARLIC
GINGER
GREEN ONION
HERBS
LEMON
MACE
MUSTARD
NUTMEG
ONION
ORANGE
OREGANO
PARSLEY
RED PEPPER/CHILI
RUM FLAVORING
VANILLA


 

Top
PRODUCT Recipe calls for: Substitute with:
ALLSPICE 3 to 6 whole allspice berries 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground allspice approx. 1/3 teaspoon each (equal parts):
ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground nutmeg
ARROWROOT 1 tablespoon flour 1 teaspoon arrowroot
1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 teaspoons arrowroot
BACON BITS 1 to 2 slices bacon
(cooked crisp, drained and crumbled)
1 tablespoon imitation bacon bits or chips
BASIL 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
BAY LEAF 1 dried whole California bay leaf 1/4 teaspoon cracked dried California bay leaves
1 dried whole Turkish bay leaf 1/4 to 1/2 dried whole California bay leaf
BEEF STOCK BASE 1 cube beef bouillon 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons beef stock base
BELL PEPPER 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh green bell pepper 1 tablespoon dehydrated green bell peppers
BRANDY FLAVORING 1/4 cup brandy 2 teaspoons brandy extract
(with 1/4 cup water)
CARDAMOM 10 whole cardamom
(pods removed and seeds crushed)
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
CELERY 2 tablespoons chopped fresh celery 1 tablespoon dehydrated celery flakes

 

Top
PRODUCT Recipe calls for: Substitute with:
CHERVIL 1 tablespoon fresh parley leaves 1 teaspoon dried chervil leaves
1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves 1 teaspoon dried chervil leaves
CHICKEN STOCK SEASONED BASE 1 cube chicken bouillon 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons chicken stock seasoned base
CINNAMON 1 stick cinnamon 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick cinnamon
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1-3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, blended with 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or ground allspice and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
CLOVES 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
GARLIC 1 medium clove garlic 1/8 teaspoon minced garlic or garlic chips
or
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
or
1/2 teaspoon liquid garlic seasoning
1 medium clove garlic and 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic salt
GINGER 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
or
2 teaspoons chopped crystallized ginger (sugar removed, if desired)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons chopped crystallized ginger (sugar removed, if desired)
GREEN ONION 1 tablespoon thinly sliced green onion 1 teaspoon dried shredded green onion
HERBS
(leafy green herbs, such as basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, tarragon, thyme)
1 tablespoon fresh herb leaves, chopped 1 teaspoon dried herb leaves
1 teaspoon dried herb leaves 1/2 teaspoon ground herb leaves
LEMON 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel 1 teaspoon dried lemon peel
or
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

 

Top
PRODUCT Recipe calls for: Substitute with:
MACE 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground mace
MUSTARD 1 tablespoon prepared mustard 1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon prepared hot mustard 1 teaspoon ground hot mustard
NUTMEG 1/4 teaspoon ground mace 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
ONION 1 medium onion, chopped 1 teaspoon onion powder
or
1 teaspoon liquid onion seasoning
ORANGE 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel 1 teaspoon dried orange peel or
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
OREGANO 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
PARSLEY 1 tablespoon fresh parsley 1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves
RED PEPPER/CHILI 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne or ground red pepper 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne or ground red pepper
1 small dried whole red chili 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 to 3 drops hot pepper sauce 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or ground red pepper
RUM FLAVORING 1/4 cup rum 1 tablespoon rum extract
(with 3 to 4 tablespoons water)
VANILLA 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-inch piece vanilla bean
(split, seeds removed, simmered in liquid from recipe)
1-inch piece vanilla bean
(split, seeds removed, simmered in liquid from recipe)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


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