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Evidence Based8 Good Substitutes for Cumin

Medically reviewed by Kim Rose-Francis RDN, CDCES, LD — Written by Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD — Updated on October 30, 2023

Cumin is a nutty, lemony spice that’s widely used in many cuisines and dishes, from Indian curries to chili to black bean soup. If you need a substitute, you can use coriander, carraway, chili powder, and several other spices.

If you find yourself halfway through making your favorite dish and realize you’re out of this delectable spice, there are suitable replacements.

Here are 8 good substitutes for cumin.

cumin, caraway seeds, chili and other spices in a frying pan — Gillian Vann/Stocksy

1. Ground coriander

Cumin and coriander grow from a plant in the parsley, or Apiaceae, family. Both are used to season dishes in Latin, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines (1).

Fresh coriander stems and leaves are known as cilantro. Its dried seeds are used whole or ground into a powder for cooking.

Both coriander and cumin give dishes a lemony, earthy flavor, though coriander is milder in flavor.

To substitute coriander for cumin, add half the amount of coriander to your dish. If you would like to add some heat, use a dash of chili powder or cayenne.

Summary
Because coriander and cumin are botanical cousins, coriander is a great substitute. Both deliver earthy and lemony notes to a dish.

2. Caraway seeds

If you lay cumin and caraway seeds side by side, you’ll notice they resemble each other in their oblong shape and mustardy-brown color.

Botanically, this makes sense, as they are cousins. Like cumin and coriander, caraway belongs to the parsley family (2).

Caraway is popular in German cuisine, either as seeds or ground. While a bit milder than cumin, caraway still makes an excellent substitute.

A good general rule is that caraway seeds should substitute for cumin seeds, while ground caraway should replace the ground version.

Replace cumin with half the amount of caraway, and then gradually add more to taste.

Summary
Caraway is another member of the parsley family that tastes similar to cumin, meaning it’s an appropriate substitute. Start by replacing cumin with half the amount of caraway, and then gradually add more to taste.

3. Chili powder

Another suitable substitute is chili powder, as some versions have cumin as one of the primary ingredients.

Keep in mind that chili powder will provide some additional flavors, as the mix may contain paprika, garlic powder, oregano, ground cayenne, and onion powder.

This substitute works well if you’re making a dish like pinto beans but may not complement flavors found in some other dishes, such as Indian curries.

Because chili powder contains paprika and cayenne, it may also impart a more reddish hue to your dish.

As with the other substitutes, use half the amount of cumin called for in the recipe. If the recipe calls for 1 tbsp. (14 grams) of ground cumin, use 1/2 tbsp. (7 grams) of chili powder.

Summary
Chili powder is a spice blend that sometimes includes cumin, among other spices. To substitute, use half the amount of cumin called for in the recipe. Consider the additional flavors chili powder will add, as well as its red hue.

4. Taco seasoning

This spice blend has all the makings of chili powder, including garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and cumin. Additionally, taco seasoning contains salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Expect this substitute to bring a more complex set of flavors than cumin does on its own, as well as a bit more heat.

Also, keep in mind that taco seasoning blends contain varying amounts of salt.

For this reason, add taco seasoning to your recipe before salt or higher-sodium condiments like store-bought Worcestershire and teriyaki sauces. This helps you avoid oversalting your dish. Then, adjust to taste.

Summary
Taco seasoning is another spice mixture that can include cumin. It also contains salt, so use it before you add salt or higher-sodium condiments to a dish.

5. Curry powder

Curry powder blends commonly contain cumin, so they can be a great substitute. Like other spice blends mentioned above, curry powder also brings other flavors into the mix.

Curry powders vary in composition. In addition to cumin, they typically include about 20 ground herbs and spices such as ground ginger, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, black pepper, and cinnamon.

Combined, these spices yield a warm, aromatic blend with a deep yellow tone.

Curry is an ideal substitute in some Indonesian- and Malaysian-style foods. Keep in mind that it will give your dish a striking yellow color as a result of the turmeric.

Summary
Curry powder largely relies on cumin as a base ingredient, though it also includes many other warm and aromatic spices. It’s a good substitute but will make your dish more yellow.

6. Garam masala

Like curry powder, garam masala is a complex spice and herb blend often used in the cuisines of India, Mauritius, and South Africa. Because it contains cumin, it works well as a substitute (3).

Garam masala is typically added at the end of cooking and gives a dish a warm, citrusy, and inviting aroma.

As with many other spices, you can substitute with garam masala by starting with half the amount of cumin called for in the recipe and adjusting to taste. Add garam masala later in the cooking process for the most flavor.

Summary
Garam masala is a traditional Indian spice blend with warm, citrusy notes. It will best substitute for cumin in dishes from Indian, Mauritian, and South African cuisines.

7. Paprika

Paprika, a mainstay in Hungarian dishes, can range in flavor from mild to pungent and hot.

Known for its vibrant red color, paprika will also add a reddish tone to your dish.

To substitute, begin by using half the amount of cumin called for in the recipe. Taste as you go, because a little goes a long way.

Summary
Similarly to cumin, paprika brings smokiness to a dish, but be aware that it will also give your dish a reddish color.

8. Fennel seeds

As another member of the parsley family, fennel seeds are also a good alternative to cumin.

Unlike cumin, fennel seeds have an anise-like, licorice flavor. They will not deliver the same smokiness and earthiness as cumin but won’t taste out of place when you’re in a pinch.

Use ground fennel to substitute for ground cumin and fennel seeds to substitute for cumin seeds. Keep in mind that you can always pulverize fennel seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor for a few seconds to make ground fennel.

As with the other spice alternatives discussed here, start slow, with about half the amount of cumin the recipe calls for. Then, fold in the spice a pinch at a time to taste.

If you miss the smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of coriander to your dish as well.

Summary
As another member of the parsley family, fennel seeds make a great alternative to cumin in a recipe. While they don’t mimic the flavor exactly, they will not taste out of place. Start with half the amount of cumin the recipe calls for and adjust to taste.

The bottom line

Cumin is an earthy, aromatic spice that brings citrusy notes to a dish.

If you’re in a pinch, there are many great alternatives you might already have in your pantry.

Caraway seeds and ground coriander most closely mimic cumin’s flavor, while curry and chili powders contain cumin.

When you’re out of cumin, rest assured that your dish will still taste fantastic through the use of these clever substitutes.

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Medically reviewed by Kim Rose-Francis RDN, CDCES, LD — Written by Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD — Updated on October 30, 2023

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1. Ground coriander

2. Caraway seeds

3. Chili powder

4. Taco seasoning

5. Curry powder

6. Garam masala

7. Paprika

8. Fennel seeds

The bottom line

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