Five Tasty Alternatives for Coriander

You’ve had coriander if you’ve ever had curry powder, pickled veggies, or garam masala. Coriander, a popular spice with a warm, citrus-like flavor, may be used in a variety of savory recipes. However, if you cook at home frequently, you probably run the risk of running out of this popular spice just when you need it.

You probably have a substitute that will function just as well as the coriander seed itself, such as the spice blends we just discussed, provided your spice rack is well-stocked. And did you know that coriander has a younger leaf sibling?

Yes, coriander and cilantro are related plants. Although coriander seeds are available in whole or ground form, cilantro is a fresh leaf that is commonly used in Mexican and South Asian cooking. Fortunately, we have alternatives for both. So, if you’re in a hurry and need to replace your fresh or dried coriander, don’t let your food lose any taste by using our list of 5 tasty coriander substitutes.

1. Cumin

Made from dried and crushed cumin seeds, cumin is a widely used spice that works well as a stand-in for coriander in a variety of recipes, including chili, curry, soups, and hearty stews. Although cumin tastes distinct, it has earthy, toasty undertones. You can use a 1:1 ratio to substitute cumin for coriander, but you should taste as you season to ensure that this well-known spice is giving you the flavor and warmth you want.

2. Curry Powder

Curry powder is a fantastic substitute for coriander in most recipes because it is a blend of spices such as ginger, turmeric, chili, and coriander. Curry powder has savory and sweet undertones that give any meal you’re cooking a lot of depth. It can provide warm, intriguing flavors to meat or vegetable meals.

Curry powder has a strong flavor, so you might want to use less of it in your dishes than coriander. Taste as you season to make sure you’re not using too much.

3. Caraway

Because caraway and coriander taste so similar, you can use caraway in almost any recipe that calls for coriander without significantly altering the flavor profile. With its earthy and somewhat sweet flavor character, caraway works well in a wide range of recipes, including breads and other baked products, casseroles, and vegetable dishes.

Although caraway and coriander taste similar because they both contain aromatic oils, caraway has various flavor notes, so you might want to start with a tiny quantity and see if you need more.

4. Garam Masala

Garam masala, a spice combination akin to curry powder, is composed of several spices, such as turmeric, cinnamon, bay leaf, cumin, and coriander. Since one of the ingredients in the blend is coriander, garam masala can serve as a useful substitute for coriander in savory recipes.

You don’t want this potent spice combination to overpower the entire dish, so you might want to add it in little amounts until you have the flavor you want. That said, the blend has a lot of diverse flavors.

5. Parsley

The dried form of fresh coriander leaf, or cilantro, as we have already discussed, has a completely distinct flavor profile from that of dried coriander seed. In an emergency, grab that bunch of parsley that’s been sitting in your refrigerator for a fresh substitute.

If you want to add more flavor to your homemade tacos or Vietnamese pho, parsley can take the place of cilantro because of its bright, fresh flavor and comparable color. Cilantro contains undertones of citrus. There are several types of parsley, including curly, flat-leaf, and Italian types, that can be used in place of cilantro.

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