12 Amazing Caraway Seeds Substitutes You Can Use For Any Dish

Caraway seeds are a unique spice that flavor many sweet and savory dishes. However, there are definitely going to be times when you skim through your spice cabinet, and you won’t find caraway seeds when you need them.

That’s why it is essential to have a good substitute you can use to replicate the flavor. Up ahead, you’ll find some incredible options you can try.

Nutrition Table

What Are Caraway Seeds?

Caraway seeds are a spice that originated in Europe. These “seeds” are actually not seeds at all but dried fruits of the caraway plant. They are very versatile and have been used for hundreds of years as culinary and medicinal ingredients. 

In the culinary world, they are favored for their sharp aroma and bittersweet taste. They are used to impart a rich flavor to many dishes and possess a citrusy and peppery undertone of flavor that enhances the taste of many foods. 

You’ll often find caraway seeds in baked pastries like bread and cake, but they are also a very common ingredient in savory dishes like casseroles, curries, soups, and stews.

Caraway seeds also contain many amazing nutrients, which make them popular as medicinal seeds. They contain iron, calcium, zinc, dietary fibers, and vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex vitamins.

They are also commonly used to aid digestion. Caraway seeds are often sold as whole seeds, but you can also find them ground into a powder.

1. Ground Caraway Powder

When you don’t have caraway seeds, ground caraway is undoubtedly the next best thing you can use. 

It is essentially caraway seeds that have been grounded into a fine powder texture so it will impart the same taste and flavor into your dish. 

The only thing you won’t get is the crunchy texture of the whole seeds. Ground caraway can be added to savory soups, sauces, and stews, but it can also be incorporated into baked goods.

How To Substitute

Use ¼ of a teaspoon of ground caraway for each teaspoon of caraway seeds required in a dish.

2. Fennel Seeds

If you don’t have caraway seeds, fennel seeds are one of the best replacements you can use.

They are aromatic seeds obtained from the fennel plant, and they are known to have a similar flavor profile as caraway seeds.

 In fact, most people often confuse fennel seeds with caraway seeds because of how similar they are.

They impart an earthy taste to most dishes and work really well when paired with seafood and meat dishes. 

The only difference you might notice with using fennel is that they have a slightly more pronounced licorice flavor, but they can work in just about any dish that calls for caraway seeds.

How To Substitute

Use a 1:1 when replacing caraways seed with fennel seeds.

3. Anise Seeds

Anise seeds are another great substitute you can use in place of caraway seeds. These small brown seeds are obtained from the Pimpinella anisum plants and have a surprisingly similar taste to caraway seeds. 

Anise seeds have a rich, aromatic, and sweet flavor with a distinct licorice taste that works well in most recipes that call for caraway seeds.

They are a common ingredient in many baked goods like cookies, pies, and bread, but they can also be infused into teas or coffee.

However, anise seeds shave a stronger licorice flavor, so you’ll need to reduce the quantity to avoid ending up with an overly pungent licorice flavor.

How To Substitute

Use half a teaspoon of anise seeds for each teaspoon of caraway seeds required in a dish.

4. Mustard Seeds

Mustard seeds are another great substitute for caraway seeds. They are a popular ingredient in Indian cuisine used to flavor sauces and curries, but they also work well with dishes that call for caraway seeds. 

Mustard seeds have a mild nutty taste with a pungent spicy and floral aroma, so they won’t exactly result in the same exact flavor as caraway seeds. 

However, they bring an earthy taste and warmth that enhances the flavor of any dish. 

Just like caraway seeds, mustard seeds can be added to savory sauces, stews, and dressing or incorporated into baked goods.  They are also commonly used for pickling.

How To Substitute

Use a 1:1 ratio when replacing caraway seeds with mustard seeds.

5. Dill Seeds

Dill seeds are a great substitute for caraway seeds. They are from the same plant family as caraway seeds and tend to mimic the flavor really well. 

They have a citrus flavor with a slight licorice undertone, so they’ll impart the same flavor you would expect from caraway seeds.

Dill seeds are also very versatile and can be added to baked goods, soups, sauces, and vegetable dishes.  You can even use them for pickling. 

Like caraway seeds, dill seeds can also be used whole or ground to get a more even spread of flavor.

How To Substitute

Use a 1:1 ratio when replacing caraways seed with dill seeds.

6. Celery Seed

Celery seeds are another versatile spice that can easily be used in place of caraway seeds.

It is obtained from the seeds of wild celery and has a strong aromatic flavor that works well with dishes that call for caraway seeds. 

However, the taste of celery seeds is more savory and earthy with a slight bitterness, so they work best as a substitute when you’re making savory dishes. You can add them to sauces, soups, salads, and even drinks.

How To Substitute

Use half a teaspoon of celery seeds for each teaspoon of caraway seeds required in a dish.

7. Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds are another fantastic substitute for caraway seeds. They are strongly aromatic and have an earthy and sweet taste with pronounced citrus notes.

So, they will mimic the flavor profile of caraway seeds really well. 

The only thing you might notice with coriander seeds is that they don’t have the licorice undertone you would typically get from caraway seeds. 

However, once they are added to food, they release a robust flavor and aroma that is sure to enhance the taste of any dish.

How To Substitute

Use a 1:1 ratio when replacing caraway seeds with coriander seeds. It is also best to lightly toast coriander seeds before using them to get the full release of their flavors.

8. Cumin Seed

Cumin is another great substitute you can use in place of caraway seeds.  It comes from the same plant family as caraway seeds and tends to mimic the flavor really well. 

Like caraway seeds, cumin has a bittersweet taste with citrus notes. However, its flavor is more intense than that of caraway.

You can add cumin to sauces, soups, rice, and meat dishes. It is also usually available as whole seeds or ground powder.

However, it is best to use the seeds when trying to replicate the taste of caraway. The flavor of ground cumin is stronger.

How To Substitute

Use a 1:1 ratio when replacing caraway seeds with cumin.

9. Cloves

If there’s one thing cloves are known for, it’s their rich aroma and bittersweet flavor. That is why they make a great substitute for caraway seeds.

They bring a certain warmth and pungent aroma to most dishes and tend to mimic the flavor of caraway seeds really well.

The only difference you’ll notice with cloves is that they lack the licorice and citrus notes of caraway, but they will certainly improve the taste of your dish.

Cloves are also very versatile. You can add them to baked goods, desserts, sauces, stews, and curries.

However, their flavor is much stronger than that of caraway seeds, so you’ll need to reduce the amount you use.

How To Substitute

Use ¼ of a teaspoon of cloves for each teaspoon of caraway seeds required.

10. Star Anise

Star anise is another great substitute that will give you a similar licorice-like flavor as caraway seeds. This star-shaped spice is similar to anise seed which we already mentioned, but the two are unrelated and come from different plants. 

Star anise has a warm, sweet licorice flavor that mimics the flavor profile of caraway seeds. You can add star anise to baked pasties, sauces, meat dishes, or even tea.

When using star anise, it is best to add it halfway into the cooking as its strong flavor can overwhelm all the other ingredients if it is added too early.

How To Substitute

Use ¼ of a teaspoon of star anise for each teaspoon of caraway seeds.

11. Carom Seeds (Ajwain)

Camron seeds are a great alternative you can use when you don’t have caraway seeds. They are a common spice used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking and are known for their fragrant flavor.

Camron seeds have a complex and layered flavor with a bittersweet thyme-like flavor and notes of licorice and mint.

When incorporated into savory dishes, they enhance the flavor and result in a taste very similar to caraway seeds.

How To Substitute

Use ¼ of a teaspoon of camron seeds for each teaspoon of caraway seeds.

12. Nigella Seeds

If you’re in a bind and can’t find any of the other options listed above, then a great alternative you can try is nigella seeds.

They have a slightly bitter smokey flavor, so they aren’t exactly a perfect replica for the taste of caraway seeds. However, they have a distinct cumin-like taste that works well in any recipe that calls for caraway seeds. 

Like caraway seeds, you can add nigella seeds to sauces, stews, and baked pastries.

How To Substitute

Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting caraway seeds with nigella seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Omit Caraway Seeds In A Dish?

You can omit caraway seeds in a dish if you don’t have them. However, they are used to impart a sharp aroma and flavor, so skipping them would mean your dish lacks much of that flavor.

Instead of skipping them entirely, it is best to replace them with something like fennel or cumin.

Can Caraway Seeds Be Replaced With Cumin?

Caraway seeds can be replaced with cumin. The two have a similar flavor profile with a sharp aroma and a sweet citrusy taste, so they can be used interchangeably.

What Is The Taste Of Caraway Seeds?

Caraway seeds have a bittersweet and slightly nutty taste with strong citrus and anise notes.

Is Fennel The Same Thing As Caraway Seeds?

Although the two have a similar flavor profile and are often confused with each other, fennel is not the same thing as caraway seed. Fennel has a slightly more licorice note which you won’t get with caraway seeds. 

Can I Use Dill Instead Of Caraway Seeds?

You can use dill in place of caraway seeds. The two species have similar citrusy flavors and work well in savory dishes.

Where Are Caraway Seeds In The Grocery Store?

Caraway seeds are usually stocked in the spice aisle of the grocery store.

What Are Caraway Seeds Used For?

Caraway seeds are used to impart a rich flavor to both savory and sweet dishes. They can be added to stews, curries, sauces, bread, and pastries.

They are also sometimes made into teas and oils and used for their medicinal properties.

12 Amazing Caraway Seeds Substitutes You Can Use For Any Dish

Prep Time

1

hour 

45

minutes

Cooking Time

30

minutes

Total Time

2

hours 

15

minutes

When you’re looking for a way to add some flavor to your dishes without adding fat or salt, caraway seeds substitutes can help.

Ingredients

• Dill seeds

• Anise

• Mustard seeds

• Fennel seeds

• Celery seed

• Coriander seeds

• Cumin seed

• Caraway powder

• Black sesame seeds

• Cloves

• Star anise

• Carom Seeds (Ajwain)

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio
  

Recipe Video

• Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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