It’s almost the time of year for holiday baking. We all know what that means. We use recipes that call for ingredients we don’t keep in our kitchen at other times of the year. While I do enough baking year- round that I have a well-stocked spice cabinet, many of my family and friends don’t. That’s why we have substitutions! Today, I’ll tell you how to make allspice.

How To Make Allspice Substitute

A substitute for allspice is super simple to make and contains only three ingredients. You can whip up a batch in minutes. Feel free to double or triple the recipe.

What is Allspice?

Allspice is the dried berry form of the Pimenta dioica plant, found in Jamaica, southern Mexico, and Central American. It is picked when green and dried. When dried, it looks a lot like a peppercorn. It tastes like a blend of peppercorns, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, with a hint of juniper berries. If you are wondering how allspice got its name, there’s even a humorous story behind it. When it arrived in Britain, they were unsure which spice it tasted like. Since it tasted like several different spices, they began to call it allspice.

Searching for allspice in stores? Be sure to check labels carefully when purchasing ground allspice to ensure you aren’t getting a mixture of ingredients instead of the ground berry.

How do you use allspice?

You can use allspice whole, ground, or in a fine powder. In the US and Europe, allspice is often used in holiday desserts. But, you can use it any time of year in savory dishes! It’s popular in Jamaican cuisine, the Caribbean, along with Arab and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Here are just a few of the dishes you’ll find allspice in:

Jerk Chicken
Mulled Wine
Spiced Cider
Al Kabsa (Traditional Saudi Rice and Chicken)
Soups and Stews
As a topping for roasted root vegetables
Mixed in with pureed root vegetables
Marinades

How long does allspice last?

Allspice berries will last up to 3 or 4 years when stored in an airtight container away from heat and light.
Ground allspice will last up to 1 year when stored in an airtight container away from heat and light.

What You’ll Need to Make Allspice Substitute

ground cinnamon
ground nutmeg
ground cloves

Because most dishes call for ground allspice, this is the how to make it. If you are making a mulled wine or spiced cider calling for allspice, you can substitute cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
After preparing your “allspice,” store it in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark space for up to one year.

Printable Recipe to Make One Tablespoon

How To Make Allspice Substitute

Recipe by Pam

Servingsservings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calorieskcal

Easy allspice substitute.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

In a small bowl, mix cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until blended. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

Have you made your own allspice substitute? Tell us how it went and some of your favorite recipes using allspice in the comments.

Want even more recipes? Join our new Facebook group, Simply Southern Recipes and Tips. We share daily tips and recipes to make cooking easier and more enjoyable! It’s a supportive environment for all stages of cooks, from beginners to pros.