5 Best Ground Cardamom Substitutes for Baking, Chai, Curry & More (Exact Ratios)

If you're out of ground cardamom, don't panic - here are the 5 best substitutes with exact ratios for baking, chai tea, curry, and more. Whether you're making Swedish cardamom buns, Indian chai, or Middle Eastern stews, these alternatives will rescue your recipe without compromising flavor.

What Is Ground Cardamom?

Cardamom comes from the seeds inside small green or black pods of the Elettaria cardamomum plant. When ground, it releases a powerful, exotic fragrance often described as a blend of citrus, pine, and clove, with a hint of sweetness. It's used extensively in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian cuisines.

Top 5 Best Substitutes for Ground Cardamom

Whether you're baking cookies, brewing tea, or making biryani, here are five stellar options to swap in when cardamom is MIA:

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most common and accessible replacements. While it doesn't mimic the floral notes of cardamom, it brings warmth and a touch of sweetness that works well in baked goods and spiced drinks.

• Use: Replace 1 tsp of ground cardamom with ½ to 1 tsp of ground cinnamon.
• Best for: Cookies, muffins, apple pie, chai tea, Swedish cardamom buns (use ¾ tsp Ceylon cinnamon per tsp cardamom plus a pinch of orange zest for authentic flavor)

2. Allspice

Allspice has a flavor reminiscent of a mix between cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Its bold profile makes it a close stand-in for cardamom, especially in spice blends or mulled beverages.

• Use: Match 1:1 with ground cardamom, but start with a little less.
• Best for: Baking, jerk seasoning, pumpkin spice lattes, Indian curries (use 1 tsp allspice per tsp cardamom for garam masala substitutions)

3. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is sweeter and more delicate than cardamom, offering earthy warmth. Use it when a subtle background note is all you need.

• Use: Use ½ tsp of nutmeg for every 1 tsp of cardamom.
• Best for: Custards, eggnog, rice pudding, Scandinavian pastries (use with cinnamon for better flavor match)

4. Cloves

These tiny but mighty buds pack intense heat and bitterness if overused. But when added sparingly, they echo cardamom's spiciness and depth.

• Use: Start with ¼ tsp of ground cloves per 1 tsp of cardamom.
• Best for: Meat rubs, holiday breads, spiced wine, Indian biryani (use ⅛ tsp cloves per tsp cardamom for balanced flavor)

5. Mixed Spices (DIY Cardamom Mimic)

Want to get creative? Combine equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of clove or ginger to create a balanced, cardamom-like flavor.

• Use: Mix ¼ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg + ⅛ tsp clove = ¾ tsp "cardamom"
• Best for: Any recipe where you want layered spice complexity, especially for Indian dishes and Scandinavian baking

When NOT to Substitute Cardamom

Cardamom has a unique flavor profile that's hard to replicate. Avoid substituting in recipes where cardamom is the star ingredient, such as:

• Swedish cardamom buns (kardemummabullar) where the floral notes are essential
• Traditional Indian garam masala where cardamom is a key component
• Scandinavian pastries like Swedish cinnamon rolls where cardamom is traditional

In these cases, it's better to find cardamom or adjust the recipe entirely.

How to Tell If Your Cardamom Is Fresh

Many people search for cardamom substitutes because their cardamom has gone stale. Here's how to tell:

• Smell test: Fresh cardamom has a strong, sweet, citrusy aroma. Stale cardamom has little to no scent
• Color: Fresh green cardamom pods are bright green; stale ones turn dull and brownish
• Taste test: Grind a small amount - fresh cardamom should have a strong, complex flavor; stale cardamom tastes flat and dull
• Storage tip: Keep cardamom in airtight containers away from light and heat to maintain freshness for up to 12 months

Substitute	Flavor Profile	Best Used In	Ratio to Cardamom
Cinnamon	Sweet, warm, woody	Baked goods, chai, oatmeal, Swedish cardamom buns	½–1 tsp
Allspice	Pungent, spicy-sweet, similar to mixed spices	Apple pies, Caribbean dishes, mulled drinks, Indian curries	1 tsp
Nutmeg	Earthy, nutty, mildly sweet	Desserts, creamy sauces, egg dishes, Scandinavian pastries	½ tsp
Cloves	Intense, bitter, hot	Mulled wine, meat marinades, festive bread, biryani	¼ tsp
Mixed Spices Blend	Balanced, layered spice combo	Indian dishes, Scandinavian baking, spice rubs	¾ tsp blend

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the closest flavor match for ground cardamom?

The mixed spice blend (¼ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg + ⅛ tsp clove) offers the most balanced alternative that captures cardamom's complex profile. Allspice comes second for savory dishes, while cinnamon works best for sweet applications where floral notes aren't critical.

Can I substitute whole cardamom pods for ground cardamom?

Yes! Use 10-12 crushed green cardamom pods to replace 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom. Remove seeds from pods before crushing, as the husks can impart bitterness. This method actually provides fresher flavor than pre-ground cardamom.

How much cinnamon should I use if replacing cardamom in chai tea?

For chai tea specifically, use ¾ teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon per teaspoon of cardamom called for. Add a pinch of ginger to better replicate cardamom's citrus notes. Avoid Cassia cinnamon as its stronger flavor can overpower delicate chai blends.

Will substitutes work in Scandinavian cardamom buns?

For Scandinavian baking like kardemummabullar, the mixed spice blend works best (¼ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg + tiny pinch of clove per ¾ tsp). Avoid using cloves alone as they'll dominate the subtle floral notes essential to this specialty bread.

Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead of cardamom?

Pumpkin pie spice makes a decent quick substitute at a 1:1 ratio since it typically contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. However, it lacks cardamom's distinctive citrus-pine notes, so add ⅛ tsp orange zest to baked goods for better flavor matching.

Final Thoughts

While nothing quite replicates the unique magic of cardamom, these substitutes are more than capable of stepping in during emergencies — or even enhancing your recipes with their own special flair.

Remember, substitution isn't about finding an exact copy; it's about matching flavor intensity and context. Whether you're baking, brewing, or braising, choose the substitute that best complements the dish you're creating.

So next time you open your spice drawer and think, "Wait, I don't have any cardamom!" — take a deep breath, reach for one of these five heroes, and let the show go on!