If you run out of cloves in your kitchen, keep reading to discover 9 fantastic alternatives! After exploring all options, you will be able to tell the best substitute for cloves for your needs.

Cloves have the iconic flavor associated with the holiday season. You can use them to make your festive drinks sweet and savory or to dress the Christmas ham. Some people even use cloves to decorate their homes during the winter holidays.
If you run out of this ingredient, it may be challenging to replicate its unique flavor but not impossible.
Keep reading to discover the best substitutes for cloves.

1. Allspice

Allspice is possibly the best substitute for cloves. It’s usually a mixture of several spices with ground cloves included.
Like cloves, allspice has a robust fragrance, but it’s more poignant. It’s the perfect spice for making snickerdoodles, apple pies, tomato marinades, split peas soup, and apple spice cake.
When replacing cloves with allspice, apply the 1:1 ratio. But you can always add a bit more allspice for enhanced flavor.
In the next section, let’s check out pumpkin spice.

2. Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin spice is a well-rounded substitute for cloves. Just like allspice, pumpkin spice contains ground cloves. Additionally, it has a characteristic pumpkin taste but not enough to interfere with most recipes.
When replacing cloves with pumpkin spice, use the 1:1 ratio. It’s ideal forcreamy pumpkin soup or pear pumpkin tartine. But you might want to add a little cinnamon or nutmeg to dial down the pumpkin essence.
In the next section, let’s check out nutmeg.

3. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a warm spice that has a nutty and sweet flavor, making it an excellent substitute for cloves.
When replacing ground cloves with ground nutmeg, stick to the 1:1 ratio.
You can also combine it with other spices like cinnamon or cardamom. However, keep in mind that nutmeg is super strong, so you only need to use a little in your dishes.
Start with only half of the ground nutmeg the recipe calls for and gradually add more as needed.
In the next section, let’s check out cardamom.

4. Cardamom

Cardamom is a spice sold in either ground form or its pond and used in combination with other spices. It’s a great substitute for cloves, thanks to itsslightly herbal and citrusy flavor that works in sweet or savory recipes.
When replacing cloves with cardamom, apply the 1:1 ratio. You can even combine it with nutmeg or cinnamon to make a stronger cloves substitute.
In the next section, let’s check out cinnamon.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon and cloves have a complementary flavor and are used in similar recipes. As such, cinnamon is a great substitute for cloves.
When used on its own, cinnamon doesn’t have a sweet flavor, soyou shouldn’t use it in place of ground cloves. Instead, use a nutmeg-cinnamon mixture in the 1:1 ratio.
In the next section, let’s check out mace.

6. Mace

Mace is a popular spice with a warm, woody, sweet and spicy flavor. It’s a wonderful substitute for cloves since it compliments other spices used in the dish.
Mace is usually made by grinding the coating of nutmeg seeds. Its flavor resembles that of a pepper-cinnamon mixture.
You can use mace in spice mixtures, soups, sauces, poultry and fish dishes, baked goods, and rice.
When replacing cloves with mace, apply the 1:1 ratio.
In the next section, let’s check out white or black peppercorns.

7. White or Black Peppercorns

White and black peppercorns come from the same plant but have different flavors. When used in place of cloves, they add an earthy and spicy flavor to a dish. Both are great substitutes for cloves.
Black peppercorns have a slightly stronger flavor compared to white peppercorns. Meanwhile, white peppercorns have a mild sweet-smelling flavor and are mostly used in light-colored dishes.
When replacing cloves with white or black peppercorns, apply the 1:1 ratio. You can use them in either whole or grounded form.
In the next section, let’s check out star anise.

8. Star Anise

Star anise is a star-shaped seedpod with eight peas inside. Both the pod and seeds are used whole or grounded in different dishes.
The spice has a strong spicy, warm, and sweet flavor similar to cloves. As such, star anise is a great substitute for cloves.
When replacing cloves with star anise, use the 1:1 ratio. It’s a wonderful idea formarinades, baked goods, soups, sauces, and many other savory and sweet dishes.
In the next section, let’s check out five-spice powder.

9. Five-Spice Powder

Five-spice powder is a spice mixture of ground cloves, cinnamon, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel,turmeric, anise seeds, cardamom, and nutmeg. It has a bitter, spicy, sweet, and warm flavor.
When replacing cloves with five-spice powder, apply the 1:1 ratio.
You can use five-spice powder in dry rubs for meat, poultry and fish dishes, and marinades. It’s also a great addition to desserts and savory dishes.