Best Ground Cloves Substitutes for Any Recipe

The best replacements for ground cloves are allspice (use 3/4 teaspoon allspice for every 1 teaspoon ground cloves), cinnamon (1 teaspoon cinnamon for 1/2 teaspoon cloves), or a blend of nutmeg and cinnamon. For baking, pumpkin pie spice works well as a 1:1 substitute, while cardamom offers a sophisticated alternative in savory dishes. Always adjust quantities based on your recipe's required intensity and flavor profile.

When you're in the middle of preparing a recipe and realize you've run out of ground cloves, knowing reliable substitutes can save your dish. Ground cloves have a distinctive warm, sweet, and slightly peppery flavor with aromatic notes that are challenging to replicate exactly. However, several common spices can effectively stand in depending on your specific culinary application.

Understanding Clove Flavor Profile

Before selecting a substitute, it's important to understand what makes ground cloves unique. Derived from dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, ground cloves contain approximately 15-20% essential oil, primarily eugenol, which gives them their characteristic pungent, warm, and slightly bitter-sweet flavor. This complex profile works differently in sweet versus savory applications, which affects which substitutes will work best for your specific recipe.

Top Substitutes for Ground Cloves

Allspice: The Closest Flavor Match

Allspice, despite its name, is a single spice (Pimenta dioica) that naturally combines flavors reminiscent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Its eugenol content (around 3-9%) makes it the closest single-spice substitute for ground cloves.

Best for: Baking, mulled wines, spice cakes, and savory meat rubs
Ratio: Use 3/4 teaspoon allspice for every 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
Tip: Allspice works particularly well in recipes where cloves play a supporting rather than dominant role.

Cinnamon: The Accessible Alternative

Cinnamon provides warmth and sweetness similar to cloves but lacks the distinctive peppery note. It's one of the most readily available substitutes in most kitchens.

Best for: Baking, oatmeal, fruit compotes, and beverages
Ratio: Substitute 1 teaspoon cinnamon for every 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Tip: For recipes calling for more than 1/2 teaspoon cloves, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to better approximate the complex flavor profile.

Nutmeg: The Subtle Partner

Nutmeg offers warm, nutty notes that complement rather than directly replace cloves. It works best when combined with other spices.

Best for: Custards, creamy sauces, and holiday beverages
Ratio: Use 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg plus 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to replace 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Tip: Freshly grated nutmeg provides significantly better flavor than pre-ground versions for substitution purposes.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: The Convenient Blend

This common blend typically contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sometimes allspice—making it an excellent ready-made substitute for recipes where cloves are just one component of a spice mix.

Best for: Pumpkin pies, apple crisps, and other fall desserts
Ratio: Use a 1:1 replacement for ground cloves
Tip: Check your blend's ingredients; if it already contains cloves, you'll need to use slightly less than a 1:1 ratio.

Substitute	Ratio	Best Recipe Applications	Flavor Notes
Allspice	3/4 tsp : 1 tsp cloves	Baking, mulled drinks, meat rubs	Closest single-spice match with warm, complex notes
Cinnamon	1 tsp : 1/2 tsp cloves	Desserts, fruit dishes, beverages	Sweeter, less pungent than cloves
Nutmeg + Cinnamon	1/4 tsp + 1/2 tsp : 1 tsp cloves	Custards, creamy sauces, holiday drinks	Softer, more rounded flavor profile
Pumpkin Pie Spice	1:1 replacement	Fall desserts, baked goods	Convenient but check for existing clove content
Cardamom	1/2 tsp : 1 tsp cloves	Savory dishes, Middle Eastern recipes	Floral notes work well in meat dishes

Recipe-Specific Substitution Guidance

For Baking and Desserts

When substituting in sweet applications like gingerbread, spice cakes, or fruit pies, allspice provides the most comparable flavor profile. For recipes calling for 1 teaspoon or less of ground cloves, cinnamon works well at a 1:1 ratio. In pumpkin-based recipes, pumpkin pie spice serves as an excellent 1:1 replacement since it's formulated for similar flavor profiles.

For Savory Dishes

In ham glazes, marinades, or Middle Eastern dishes, cardamom offers a sophisticated alternative with floral notes that complement meats beautifully. Use half the amount of cardamom compared to the cloves called for. For Indian curries that require cloves, consider using a small amount of garam masala instead, which typically contains cloves along with other complementary spices.

For Beverages

In mulled wines, chai, or spiced ciders, allspice provides the closest flavor match at a 3:4 ratio. If you're making a large batch of holiday beverages, consider creating a custom spice blend with equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to replace cloves for more complex flavor development.

Creating Your Own Custom Clove Substitute Blend

For the most versatile replacement, make your own blend:

• 2 parts cinnamon
• 1 part allspice
• 1/2 part nutmeg

Mix thoroughly and store in an airtight container. Use this blend at a 1:1 ratio to replace ground cloves. This homemade substitute works particularly well for ground cloves alternative for apple pie and other fall desserts where the complex spice profile matters most.

Common Substitution Mistakes to Avoid

When searching for what spice can I use instead of ground cloves, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Using too much substitute: Cloves have an intense flavor, so most substitutes require less quantity
• Ignoring recipe context: A substitute that works in pumpkin pie may not work in a ham glaze
• Overlooking freshness: Old spices won't provide adequate flavor replacement
• Not adjusting other spices: When replacing cloves, you may need to reduce other warm spices in the recipe

Special Considerations for Dietary Restrictions

For those seeking non-alcoholic clove substitute options (as cloves are sometimes used in alcoholic infusions), consider using clove essential oil diluted in a carrier oil (use just 1-2 drops per teaspoon of substitute). For individuals with clove sensitivities looking for ground cloves substitute for sensitive palates, milder options like cinnamon or a small amount of allspice blended with extra cinnamon provide warmth without the intense bite.

Can I use cinnamon instead of ground cloves in apple pie?

Yes, you can substitute cinnamon for ground cloves in apple pie using a 1:1 ratio for small amounts (up to 1/2 teaspoon). For recipes calling for more than 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, use 1 teaspoon cinnamon plus a pinch of nutmeg to better approximate the complex flavor profile. Cinnamon provides the warmth without the distinctive peppery note of cloves.

What's the best substitute for ground cloves in pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie spice is the best substitute for ground cloves in pumpkin pie, using a 1:1 replacement ratio. Since pumpkin pie spice typically contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sometimes allspice (and occasionally small amounts of cloves), it's formulated specifically for this application. Check your blend's ingredients first—if it already contains cloves, use slightly less than a 1:1 ratio.

How much allspice equals 1 teaspoon of ground cloves?

Use 3/4 teaspoon of allspice to replace 1 teaspoon of ground cloves. Allspice contains eugenol (the primary flavor compound in cloves) at about 3-9% concentration compared to cloves' 15-20%, making it the closest single-spice substitute. This ratio works well in most baking applications and savory meat rubs where cloves play a supporting role.

Can I use whole cloves instead of ground cloves?

Yes, you can substitute whole cloves for ground cloves using a 1:1 ratio by volume, but with important considerations. Whole cloves release flavor more slowly, so add them earlier in the cooking process. For baking, you'll need to remove whole cloves before serving. For beverages or dishes that will be strained, whole cloves work perfectly. Remember that 1 whole clove equals approximately 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in terms of flavor intensity.

What's a good substitute for ground cloves in a ham glaze?

Cardamom makes an excellent substitute for ground cloves in ham glazes, using half the amount (1/2 teaspoon cardamom for 1 teaspoon cloves). Cardamom's floral notes complement the sweetness of the glaze while providing similar warmth. Alternatively, use a blend of 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon allspice for a more traditional flavor profile that still works beautifully with ham.