Best Clove Substitutes: 7 Practical Alternatives for Cooking

The best substitutes for cloves are allspice (use 1/4 teaspoon for every 1.5 teaspoons of cloves), cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon for 1.5 teaspoons of cloves), or a blend of nutmeg and cinnamon. For savory dishes, star anise works well, while pumpkin pie spice serves as a convenient baking alternative. Clove oil provides intense flavor but requires extreme dilution (1 drop = 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves).

When you're in the middle of preparing a recipe and realize you've run out of cloves, knowing reliable substitutes can save your dish. Cloves offer a distinctive warm, sweet-spicy flavor with hints of citrus and bitterness, making them challenging to replace perfectly. However, several common pantry spices can effectively mimic cloves' complex profile when used correctly. Understanding which substitute works best depends on your specific recipe and the role cloves play in your dish.

Understanding Cloves' Unique Flavor Profile

Cloves contain eugenol, the compound responsible for their intense, warming sensation and distinctive aroma. This powerful flavor can dominate a dish when used excessively, which is why precise substitution ratios matter. Unlike many spices, cloves don't have a single perfect replacement because they contribute multiple flavor dimensions: sweet, spicy, slightly bitter, and medicinal. The best substitute depends on whether you're making baked goods, savory dishes, beverages, or preserves.

Top Clove Substitutes with Exact Ratios

Successful substitution requires understanding both flavor compatibility and proper measurement. Using too much of a substitute can ruin your dish, while too little won't provide adequate flavor replacement. Here are the most effective alternatives with precise ratios:

Substitute	Ratio (for 1.5 tsp cloves)	Best For	Flavor Notes
Allspice	1/4 tsp	Baking, mulled drinks, stews	Most similar single-substitute option with warm, complex flavor
Cinnamon	1/2 tsp	Baking, rice pudding, chai	Sweeter, less medicinal than cloves
Nutmeg	1/3 tsp	Custards, creamy sauces, mashed potatoes	Earthy, nutty flavor; use sparingly
Cardamom	1/4 tsp	Indian dishes, Scandinavian baking	Citrusy, floral notes; complements cloves well
Pumpkin pie spice	1/2 tsp	Pies, cakes, quick breads	Pre-blended alternative with balanced warm spices

Specialized Substitutes for Specific Applications

Clove Oil for Intense Flavor

Clove oil provides concentrated flavor but requires careful handling. Use just 1 drop of clove oil to replace 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves. Always dilute clove oil in a liquid ingredient first—never add it directly to dry ingredients. This substitute works best in liquid-based recipes like mulled wine, syrups, or marinades where the oil can disperse evenly.

Star Anise for Savory Dishes

When substituting cloves in braises, stews, or Chinese five-spice applications, star anise makes an excellent alternative. Use 1 whole star anise pod to replace 4-6 whole cloves. Remove the pod before serving, as it remains too tough to eat. Star anise provides similar warming properties with a distinct licorice note that complements meats beautifully.

Homemade Clove Substitute Blends

For the most accurate flavor replacement, create custom blends tailored to your recipe:

• For baking: Combine 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/16 teaspoon ground allspice
• For savory dishes: Mix 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice with a pinch of ground black pepper
• For beverages: Use 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon with 1/16 teaspoon ground ginger

What NOT to Use as Clove Substitutes

Certain spices create flavor imbalances when substituting for cloves. Avoid using pure ginger alone, as its sharp heat lacks cloves' warmth. Pure mace works poorly as it's too subtle. Never substitute whole cloves with an equal amount of ground cloves—this common mistake results in overpowering flavor. Remember that nutmeg alone can become bitter if overused as a clove substitute.

Selecting the Right Substitute by Dish Type

The best clove alternative depends on your specific recipe. For gingerbread, pumpkin pie, or other baked goods, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice provides sufficient warmth without overwhelming other flavors. When making biryani or other Indian dishes where cloves play a supporting role among many spices, allspice maintains the complex spice profile. For pickling recipes where cloves provide essential antimicrobial properties, consider adding a small piece of cinnamon stick alongside other substitutes to help preserve your pickles.

Adjusting Recipes When Substituting Cloves

When replacing cloves, consider these professional adjustments to maintain recipe balance:

• Reduce sugar slightly when using cinnamon substitutes, as cinnamon tastes sweeter than cloves
• Add a tiny pinch of black pepper to allspice substitutions to mimic cloves' slight heat
• For meat rubs, increase the substitute quantity by 25% since dry spices concentrate during cooking
• When substituting in liquid recipes, add substitutes early to allow flavors to meld properly

Can I use cinnamon instead of cloves in apple pie?

Yes, use half the amount of ground cinnamon compared to cloves called for in your recipe. For every 1 teaspoon of cloves, use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. This maintains the warm spice profile without overwhelming the apple flavor.

What's the best substitute for whole cloves in pickling?

Allspice berries work best as a direct substitute for whole cloves in pickling. Use one allspice berry for every three whole cloves. Alternatively, add a small piece of cinnamon stick which provides similar antimicrobial properties during the pickling process.

How do I substitute cloves in garam masala?

For homemade garam masala, replace cloves with an equal amount of cardamom seeds. If you need a single-spice substitute, use allspice at a 1:1 ratio. Remember that garam masala's balance depends on multiple spices, so adjusting other components slightly may be necessary when substituting.

Can I use nutmeg instead of cloves in ham glaze?

Nutmeg works in ham glaze but requires careful measurement. Use one-third the amount of nutmeg compared to cloves (1/3 teaspoon nutmeg for 1 teaspoon cloves). Add a pinch of cinnamon to compensate for nutmeg's earthier profile and lack of cloves' distinctive sharpness.

Is allspice the same as cloves?

No, allspice and cloves are different spices, though allspice is the closest single-substitute for cloves. Allspice combines flavors reminiscent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Use less allspice than cloves (1/4 teaspoon allspice for 1.5 teaspoons cloves) because its flavor profile is more complex and slightly milder.