Best Substitutes for Cloves in Cooking and Baking

The best substitutes for cloves include allspice (use 3/4 teaspoon allspice for 1 teaspoon cloves), cinnamon (1:1 ratio), nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon nutmeg for 1 teaspoon cloves), or pumpkin pie spice (1:1 ratio). The ideal substitute depends on your recipe type—use allspice for savory dishes, cinnamon for baking, and nutmeg for subtle flavor in sauces.

When you're in the middle of cooking and realize you've run out of cloves, knowing reliable alternatives can save your recipe. Cloves offer a distinctive warm, sweet, and slightly peppery flavor that's essential in many dishes, from holiday baked goods to savory stews. Understanding proper substitution ratios and flavor profiles ensures your culinary creations maintain their intended taste without compromising quality.

Understanding Cloves and Their Unique Flavor Profile

Cloves come from the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree and contain eugenol, which gives them their characteristic pungent, warm, and slightly sweet flavor with hints of citrus and bitterness. This complex profile makes them challenging to replace perfectly, but several common pantry staples can effectively mimic their essence in different applications.

Top 6 Cloves Substitutes with Exact Ratios

Choosing the right substitute depends on whether you're preparing sweet or savory dishes. Here's a detailed comparison of your best options:

Substitute	Ratio (for 1 tsp cloves)	Best For	Flavor Notes
Allspice	3/4 tsp	Savory dishes, mulled wine	Warm, peppery, with clove-like notes
Cinnamon	1 tsp	Baking, desserts	Sweeter, less intense, missing peppery notes
Nutmeg	1/2 tsp	Sauces, custards, mashed potatoes	Milder, earthier, less sweet
Pumpkin Pie Spice	1 tsp	Pies, breads, cookies	Pre-mixed blend with similar warming spices
Apple Pie Spice	1 tsp	Fruit desserts, compotes	Slightly sweeter than pumpkin spice
Cardamom	3/4 tsp	Indian cuisine, coffee, baked goods	Citrusy, floral notes with warmth

Choosing the Right Substitute by Dish Type

Not all substitutes work equally well across different recipes. Consider these specific recommendations when looking for what to substitute for cloves in your particular dish.

For Baking and Desserts

When baking cookies, cakes, or pies that call for cloves, cinnamon makes the most seamless transition. Use an equal amount of ground cinnamon for ground cloves. For recipes where cloves play a starring role (like gingerbread), combine 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon with 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg per teaspoon of cloves required. This cloves alternative maintains the warm spice profile while compensating for cinnamon's sweeter, less complex flavor.

For Savory Dishes and Stews

In savory applications like braises, curries, or meat rubs, allspice serves as the closest cloves replacement. Its flavor profile contains natural clove-like compounds, making it ideal for dishes where cloves provide depth rather than prominence. Use 3/4 teaspoon allspice for every teaspoon of cloves. For Indian or Middle Eastern dishes, consider a blend of 1/2 teaspoon allspice with 1/4 teaspoon cardamom to better match regional flavor expectations when substituting for cloves.

For Beverages and Mulled Drinks

When making mulled wine, cider, or chai where cloves contribute significantly to the aromatic profile, pumpkin pie spice works surprisingly well as a cloves substitute. Use a 1:1 ratio, but add a pinch of black pepper to restore some of the missing heat that cloves normally provide. For a more authentic mulled drink experience without cloves, combine equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Advanced Substitution Techniques

For recipes where cloves play a critical role, consider these professional techniques to maximize flavor accuracy when you need a cloves alternative:

• Layered substitution: Combine 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/4 tsp allspice to replace 1 tsp cloves for complex dishes
• Whole spice alternatives: When a recipe calls for whole cloves (like in pickling), use whole allspice berries at a 1:1 ratio
• Flavor balancing: If using cinnamon as your primary cloves substitute, add a pinch of black pepper to restore some heat
• Acid adjustment: Cloves contain natural acidity; when substituting in fruit dishes, add 1/8 tsp lemon zest per teaspoon of cloves replaced

When Not to Substitute Cloves

While these alternatives work well in most situations, certain recipes rely so heavily on cloves' unique chemistry that substitutes significantly alter the final product. Avoid substituting when making:

• Traditional speculaas or pain d'épices (European spiced cookies)
• Authentic biryani rice dishes where cloves provide distinct floral notes
• Homemade chai blends where cloves balance other spices
• Preserves like clove-studded oranges or spiced pickles

In these cases, consider making a quick trip to the store or adjusting your recipe timeline rather than using a substitute that might compromise authenticity.

Storing Your Substitute Spices Properly

Since you're likely reaching for substitute spices when cloves run out, proper storage ensures these alternatives maintain maximum flavor. Store ground spices in airtight containers away from light and heat. Whole spices like allspice berries retain potency for up to 4 years, while ground substitutes stay fresh for 6-12 months. For the best flavor when substituting for cloves, toast whole substitute spices (like allspice berries) in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before grinding—this enhances their aromatic compounds and creates a more accurate cloves alternative.

Creating Your Own Custom Clove Substitute Blend

For frequent cooking needs, create a dedicated cloves replacement blend that stays fresh in your pantry. Combine:

• 2 parts ground cinnamon
• 1 part ground allspice
• 1 part ground nutmeg
• 1/4 part ground black pepper

Store this mixture in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Use a 1:1 ratio when replacing cloves in most recipes. This custom blend works particularly well as a cloves substitute in baking applications and provides consistent results across multiple recipes.

Can I use cinnamon instead of cloves in apple pie?

Yes, you can substitute cinnamon for cloves in apple pie using a 1:1 ratio. For better flavor balance, use 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg per teaspoon of cloves required. This combination mimics cloves' warmth while maintaining the pie's traditional flavor profile.

What's the best cloves substitute for beef stew?

Allspice works best as a cloves substitute in beef stew. Use 3/4 teaspoon allspice for every teaspoon of cloves called for in your recipe. For enhanced flavor, toast whole allspice berries briefly before grinding them. This substitution maintains the deep, warm notes that cloves would provide without overpowering the other ingredients.

How much nutmeg equals one clove?

Approximately 1/16 teaspoon of ground nutmeg equals one whole clove. For ground cloves, use 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg to replace 1 teaspoon of cloves. Nutmeg provides a similar warmth but is significantly milder, so you'll need to adjust other spices accordingly when making this substitution.

Can I substitute pumpkin pie spice for cloves in gingerbread?

Yes, pumpkin pie spice makes an excellent cloves substitute in gingerbread at a 1:1 ratio. Since pumpkin pie spice already contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, it provides a balanced flavor profile that works well in gingerbread recipes. For stronger clove flavor, add a pinch of allspice to the pumpkin pie spice.

What's a good non-spicy substitute for cloves?

For recipes where you want to avoid cloves' peppery heat, use a combination of 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract per teaspoon of cloves. This creates a sweet, warm flavor without the spiciness, making it ideal for delicate dishes like custards or light sauces where traditional substitutes might overpower the dish.