Maybe you’re in desperate need for a cumin substitute because you’re out of cumin. Maybe you want to find a cumin substitute because you have a delayed allergy to cumin. Whatever the reason, we have some cumin alternatives for you to have on your shelf just in case.
Caraway Seeds
Caraway seeds is also a member of the parsley family, making it a great cumin substitute. Caraway seeds is one of the dominant spices in a traditional European cuisine. While this cumin substitute shouldn’t have an impact on the color of your recipe, it will provide a taste that isn’t as strong or hot as cumin. This cumin substitute is perfect if you have a delayed allergy to cumin. If you want to test to see if you have a delayed allergy to cumin, click here.
Health Benefits
- Caraway seeds are a rich source of dietary fiber, 38 grams of fiber.
- Caraway seeds contain health benefiting essential oils. Principle volatile compounds are carvone, limonene, carveol, pinene, cumuninic aldehyde, furfural, and thujone. These active principles in the caraway seeds known to have antioxidant, digestive, carminative, and anti-flatulent properties.
- Caraway has health benefiting flavonoid antioxidants such as lutein, carotene, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin.
- Caraway seeds are the storehouse for many vital vitamins. Vitamin-A, vitamin-E, vitamin-C as well as many B-complex vitamins like thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and niacin particularly concentrated in the seeds.
Ground Coriander
Ground coriander and ground cumin are used in various cuisines whose origins are on almost every continent in the world, but they provide widely different flavor profiles, making it a good cumin substitute. Ground coriander is another member of the parsley family, but using this cumin substitute will change the flavor of your recipe to an extent. Similar to Careaway seeds, ground coriander lacks the heat of cumin.
Health Benefits
Ground coriander is said to promote digestion and provides protection against infection in the urinary tract. It is also reported to have health benefits such as improved digestion, immunity as well as relieving asthma, bronchitis and the common cold.
Chili Powder
If you have a delayed allergy to cumin, this cumin substitute probably isn’t going to be your cup of tea because it will have cumin in it. However, if you are simply looking for alternatives to cumin, chili powder provides you the heat you may be looking for while possibly being able to save you a penny or two (maybe). Cumin is one of the main ingredients in chili powder, giving you another cumin substitute to have just in case you need one.
Chili powders are red and cumin has a brown color to it — so expect your color and flavor to change. Also remember that there are several other ingredients in chili powder that will affect your taste.
Health Benefits
- Improve cognitive functioning — The amount of iron in chili powder leads to increased hemoglobin production and increases blood flow. Proper amounts of oxygen and iron in the brain lead to improved cognitive performance and a decrease in cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
- Help maintain a healthy blood pressure — Chili powder has a great potassium to sodium ratio. They are well known because of its high potassium content.
- Helps support the digestive system — Chili powder possesses a considerable amount of fiber.
Garam Masala
Garam masala is another cumin substitute that includes a good percent of cumin. This Indian spice includes coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, creating a complex flavor that is at once earthy, sweet, citrusy and spicy.
The composition of Garam masala differs regionally, with many recipes across India according to regional and personal taste, and none is considered more authentic than others. The components of the mix are toasted, then ground together.
Because the color is very similar, the color won’t change your recipe.
Heath Benefits
- Improves digestive system — Garam masala is said to do this by increasing the consumer’s body temperature and consequently raising metabolism as well.
- Fends off constipation — Garam masala is said to decrease digestive transit time, which in turn is excellent for decreasing the liklihood for constipation.
Curry Powder
The ingredients in curry powder vary, but cumin always features in heavily. A typical curry powder includes, coriander, turmeric, ginger, mustard, fenugreek seed, black pepper and cinnamon. These lend an earthy, sweet and spicy flavor to whatever dish the curry powder is used in. The color of your recipe will change significantly. Turmeric is bright yellow.
Heath Benefits
- Reduces inflammation — Turmeric, a major ingredient in curry powder, has played an important role in India’s Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a treatment for inflammatory conditions.
- Helps with digestion — Traditional curry powder is filled with spices that help your digestive system. Black pepper, a common ingredient in most curry powder blends, promotes stomach acid secretion and reduces intestinal gas. Bay leaves promote proper digestion. Cinnamon is an antidote for diarrhea, vomiting and upset stomach.
Taco Seasoning Mix
The ingredients in taco seasoning are very similar to those in chili powder. In addition to cumin, you can expect, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, pepper and salt. Salt will be much more pronounced using taco seasoning mix, depending the brand you purchase. This will alter taste.
For more information on cumin substitute, click here.
If you’re looking for a coriander substitute, click here.