Chinese Five Spice Powder is a bold, aromatic, and popular seasoning blend in Chinese cuisine. It's typically made using a combination of fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, and cloves. This homemade five-spice powder is easy to make and can be used to enhance the flavor of a variety of dishes, including chicken, pork, beef, salmon, roasted and baked vegetables, soups, and stir-fry dishes.
In this post, I've provided a recipe for making Chinese Five Spice Powder with simple and easy-to-follow instructions. There's also a detailed video tutorial included below to make the cooking process even easier to understand.
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What is Chinese Five Spice?
Chinese Five Spice Powder is a bold and aromatic spice blend used in Chinese cuisine as well as in Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Hawaiian cuisine. It is usually made of five spices such as fennel seeds, Szechuan peppercorns, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks. The combination of these five spices creates a unique and complex flavor profile for a variety of dishes. It is one of the best seasonings that are commonly used in stir-fries, marinades, and meat dishes.
Chinese Five Spice Powder is a versatile spice blend, that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. This blend is not only used in Chinese recipes but it can also be added to other Asian dishes, such as Korean and Vietnamese cuisine, to enhance the flavor profile.
Additionally, the spices that make up this blend have various health benefits. For instance, cinnamon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while star anise helps with digestion. Incorporating this spice blend into your cooking can help add flavor to your dishes while also providing potential health benefits.
Making your own Chinese Five Spice Powder at home is not only cost-effective, but it also allows you to adjust the blend to your personal preferences. Additionally, making your spice blend ensures that you are using fresh, high-quality spices without any added preservatives or additives. You can store the blend in an airtight container and use it for various dishes. Overall, making your own Chinese Five Spice is an easy and beneficial way to enhance the flavor of your dishes.
Ingredients
To make Chinese Five Spice Powder, you will need five aromatic spices that are readily available at most Asian and Indian grocery stores. Let's take a look at each of them and their unique flavor profiles:
- Fennel Seeds - These seeds have a sweet, licorice-like flavor that adds a unique depth to the spice blend.
- Szechuan Peppercorns - These peppercorns are not related to black pepper, but have a citrusy, slightly numbing flavor that pairs well with spicy dishes. It also got other names like Sichuan peppers, Chinese pepper, mala pepper, and Chinese prickly ash. Black peppercorns or ground black pepper could be used instead of Szechuan peppercorns. However, keep in mind that black pepper has a much different flavor profile than Szechuan peppercorns
- Cloves - They have a warm, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor that adds complexity to the spice blend. Allspice berries or ground allspice could be used instead of cloves to add warmth and sweetness
- Star Anise - It has a strong licorice-like flavor that pairs well with sweet and savory dishes alike
- Cinnamon Sticks - Cinnamon has a sweet and spicy flavor
Note: Spice quantities and ingredient choices can vary greatly based on personal preference and the region, as well as individual households. However, the above spices are most commonly used in classic Chinese 5 Spice Powder.
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Chinese Five Spice Powder at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is a classic Chinese Five Spice Powder. It is a blend of five aromatic spices that can elevate the flavor of any dish. You can simply incorporate this spice blend into your favorite Chinese recipes, roasted or grilled meats, veggies, and more.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Grab the ingredients - To make this seasoning, all you need to do is add the ingredients to a glass bowl and measure them precisely to ensure the perfect blend of flavors.
- Blend the spices - Once you have all the spices in the bowl, transfer them to a blender and blend until you obtain a smooth powder. Your homemade Chinese Five Spice Powder is now ready to use
- Use - To use this spice blend, simply incorporate it into your favorite Chinese recipes, such as Szechuan chicken, Szechuan shrimp, Szechuan sauce, or other roasted and grilled dishes like roasted chicken, baked chicken drumsticks, grilled salmon, and roasted vegetables, to experience a burst of flavor. The possibilities are endless, and you can experiment with different dishes to see what works best for you
- Store - If you want to make this powder in bulk, you can easily double or triple the quantity and store it in a closed or tight container for up to six months. This way, you will always have this aromatic spice blend on hand whenever you need it
Substitutes for Five Spice
To achieve a similar flavor to Chinese five-spice powder, you can use substitutes if you don't have all the necessary spices at hand. Some suitable alternatives include garam masala, cinnamon spice mix, and baharat(Lebanese spice blend). However, note that these substitutes can provide a similar flavor to Chinese five-spice powder, but they may not be able to replicate the exact flavor profile.
Tips
- Right ratio: For a delicious and balanced blend of spices, it's important to use the right proportions. This recipe uses a combination of sweet, spicy, bitter, warm, and pungent flavors to create a unique blend of spices that will enhance any dish. Using too much of one spice can overwhelm the other flavors, so it's important to measure carefully
- Toasting the spices: While this recipe doesn't call for toasting the spices, you can do so for an even more intense flavor. Just heat the spices in a dry skillet until fragrant before blending
- Usage: When using this spice blend, start with a small amount, like ½ tsp, and then adjust to taste. Following the recommended amounts in the recipe will ensure the best results. However, it's important to keep in mind that individual taste preferences may vary, so adjusting the amount of spice blend used may still be necessary. With the right balance of spices, your dishes will be full of mouth-watering flavor
Storage Suggestions
This Chinese 5 Spice Powder can last up to six months when stored in a closed, airtight container. The recipe provided here yields 4 tablespoons, but if you would like to make bulk batches for future use, you can always double or triple the quantity.
Serving Suggestions
Chinese Five Spice Powder is a versatile seasoning that can add a distinctive flavor to a wide range of dishes. Here are a few ways you can use it:
- Meat Dishes: It pairs well with meats such as chicken, pork, and beef. You can sprinkle it on roasted or grilled meats or add it to marinades for a delicious Asian twist
- Stir-Fries: Add a pinch of Five Spice Powder to your stir-fry sauces to create a bold and flavorful dish
- Soups and Broths: Add a dash of this spice powder to soups such as hot and sour soup and broths for a warm and comforting taste
- Roasted and Baked Vegetables: It is not just for meat dishes. You can also use it in roasted carrots, roasted cauliflower, and baked tofu, to give them a unique and flavorful twist
- In Baked Goods: Chinese Five Spice can also be added to baked goods, such as muffins and cakes, for an unexpected burst of flavor
Related Recipes
You could also find similar seasoning recipes below and more at dips & condiments recipes.
- Garam Masala
- Curry Powder
- Chili Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
- Fajita Seasoning
- Italian Seasoning
- Chai Masala Powder
Five Spice Powder Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Chinese Five Spice Powder below that I hope will help you to make an aromatic spice blend at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Chinese Five Spice Powder
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Fennel Seeds
- 1 tsp Cloves
- ¾ tsp Szechuan Peppercorns
- 4 Star Anise
- 1 Cinnamon Stick, appx 3 inches long
Instructions
To make Chinese Five Spice Powder
- Add all the ingredients to a glass bowl. Make sure to measure all the spices precisely to achieve a perfect blend of flavors
- Next, transfer all the spices into a blender and blend until you obtain a smooth powder. Your aromatic Chinese Five Spice powder is now ready to use
To use or store
- Incorporate it into your favorite Chinese recipes such as Szechuan chicken, Szechuan shrimp, Szechuan sauce, or other roasted and grilled dishes like roasted chicken, baked chicken drumsticks, grilled salmon, and roasted vegetables, to experience a burst of flavor. You can make this powder in bulk and store it in a closed or tight container for up to six months
Video
Notes
- Right ratio: For a delicious and balanced blend of spices, it's important to use the right proportions. This recipe uses a combination of sweet, spicy, bitter, warm, and pungent flavors to create a unique blend of spices that will enhance any dish. Using too much of one spice can overwhelm the other flavors, so it's important to measure carefully
- Toasting the spices: While this recipe doesn't call for toasting the spices, you can do so for an even more intense flavor. Just heat the spices in a dry skillet until fragrant before blending
- Usage: When using this spice blend, start with a small amount, like ½ tsp, and then adjust to taste. Following the recommended amounts in the recipe will ensure the best results. However, it's important to keep in mind that individual taste preferences may vary, so adjusting the amount of spice blend used may still be necessary. With the right balance of spices, your dishes will be full of mouth-watering flavor
Nutrition
FAQ
Chinese Five Spice Powder is a popular spice blend used in Chinese cuisine, known for its sweet, spicy, and aromatic flavor profile. It's typically made using a combination of five spices, which include fennel seeds, Szechuan peppercorns, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks. This unique blend of spices adds depth and complexity to a variety of dishes, making it a staple seasoning in stir-fries, marinades, and meat dishes.
Chinese Five Spice Powder is a blend of sweet, spicy, warm, nutty, and pungent flavors that come from the combination of five spices. While it does contain some spicy notes, it's not typically considered a particularly hot or fiery spice blend.
When using Chinese Five Spice Powder in your cooking, it's best to start with a small amount, such as ½ tsp, and adjust to taste. Following the recommended amounts in a recipe can help achieve the best results. However, it's important to remember that personal taste preferences may vary, so adjusting the amount of spice blend used may still be necessary. By finding the right balance of spices, you can add mouth-watering flavor to your dishes.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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