Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (2024)

Home » Recipes » Chinese Five Spice - Recipe and How to Use It

by Mike Hultquist · · 4 Comments · Jump to Recipe

This Chinese five spice recipe is pungent and vibrant, essential for many classic Chinese dishes and perfect for spicy food lovers seeking bold flavors. Learn how to make it and how to use it.

Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (1)

Chinese Five Spice Recipe

Today we are making homemade Chinese Five Spice powder in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen. If you have not used Chinese five spice, this is a seasoning I highly recommend.

What is Chinese Five Spice?

Chinese five spice is a traditional Chinese spice blend used in many Chinese and Sichuan dishes. It is a bold and flavorful mixture that spicy food lovers are sure to love.

You can buy good a good quality spice mix from the grocery store or online, but when you make it at home, you'll get the fullest, most pungent flavor, and you can adjust the ratios to make it your own.

Let's talk about how to make Chinese 5 spice powder, shall we?

Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (2)

What is in Chinese Five Spice? The Ingredients

Chinese five spice is made primarily from the following 5 ingredients: fennel, star anise, Chinese cinnamon, clove and Sichuan peppercorns. However, there are other possible combinations and substitutions for the Sichuan peppercorns.

I use the following ingredients:

  • Star Anise seeds
  • Fennel Seeds
  • Szechuan Peppercorns. Aka Sichuan Peppercorns. You can use white peppercorns or a milder flavor.
  • Chinese Cinnamon.
  • Clove.

How to Make Chinese Five Spice - the Recipe Method

FOR WHOLE SPICES

Toast the Spices. Heat a small skillet to medium-high heat. Add the whole seasonings - cinnamon, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds - and lightly toast them in the dry skillet, 1-2 minutes.

Stir part way through. Be sure to not let the spices burn. This lets the flavors of the spices bloom.

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Grind the Spices. Remove from heat and transfer toasted spices to a spice grinder. Grind until well blended. You can also use a mortar and pestle to pulverize the ingredients by hand.

A coffee grinder works well for this.

Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (4)

Store the Chinese 5 Spice Powder. Use as desired. Store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.

FOR GROUND SPICES

Mix and Use. Mix the ingredients together until well combined. Use as desired. Store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.

Boom! Done! Your fresh Chinese five spice powder is ready to use. Smells wonderful, doesn't it? Pungent! Unlike any other seasoning you'll encounter.

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Using Chinese Five Spice

Chinese 5 spice is used to season many different Chinese and Szechuan dishes, including classic stir fries, rice and noodle dishes. It can be used to season meats for grilling or sautéing, or vegetables to give them a little zing.

Try some of these Chinese recipes that use Chinese 5 spice:

  • Szechuan Beef
  • Szechuan Chicken
  • Szechuan Shrimp
  • Szechuan Sauce
  • Dan Dan Noodles
  • General Tso's Chicken
  • Mapo Tofu
  • Chicken Fried Rice
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
  • Bo Kho Recipe (Spicy Vietnamese Beef Stew)
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Recipe Tips & Notes

  • Other Possible Ingredients. In reviewing other Chinese five spice recipes and products that I have purchased, I've seen other ingredients used to make the blend. Some use licorice root, ginger, orange peel, or white peppercorns in lieu of the szechuan peppercorns, which have a slight numbing effect on the lips and tongue. It is a very unique flavor.
  • Taste and Adjust. When making any seasoning blend, it is best to give it a taste and adjust the ratios to your own preference. I like extra szechuan peppercorns in mine, for instance, and a bit less cinnamon. Adjust to your own palate.

Storage

Chinese 5 spice should be stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dark place. Use within 6 months, as the spice can lose potency.

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That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this Chinese 5 spice recipe. Let me know if you make it and how you use it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you love spicy and bold Chinese cuisine, I highly recommend this cookbook, which highlights Chinese food from the Sichuan province. I'm learning very much from this book.

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Try Some of These Other Popular Spice Blends

  • Chaat Masala
  • Sazon Seasoning
  • Adobo Seasoning
  • Fajita Seasoning
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Togarashi
  • See all of my spice blend recipes
Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (9)

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (10)

Print

Chinese Five Spice Recipe

This Chinese five spice recipe is pungent and vibrant, essential for many classic Chinese dishes and perfect for spicy food lovers seeking bold flavors. Learn how to make it and how to use it.

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course, Seasonings

Cuisine: Chinese

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Calories: 1kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 64 teaspoons

Tap or hover to scale

Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 6-10 star anise or use 2 tablespoons star anise powder
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds or use 1 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 1-2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns or use 1 teaspoon ground Szechuan pepper - use white peppercorns for milder flavor
  • 1 6- inch stick Chinese cinnamon you can sub for other cinnamon - or use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 10 whole cloves or use 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

FOR WHOLE SPICES

  • Heat a large pan to medium-high heat. Add the whole seasonings and lightly toast them over dry heat, 1-2 minutes. Stir part way through. Be sure to not let the spices burn.

  • Remove from heat and transfer toasted spices to a spice grinder. Grind until well blended. You can also use a mortar and pestle to pulverize the ingredients by hand.

  • Use as desired. Store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.

FOR GROUND SPICES

  • Mix the ingredients together until well combined. Use as desired. Store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 1kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg

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Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This post was updated on 10/28/22 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 7/26/21.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Beth W Thomerson says

    Just wanted to share my tip...five spice is magical on duck and really transforms apple crisp. Will try your recipe when I've run out of my current stash. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Nice! Thanks for the tips, Beth! Perfect!

      Reply

  2. Jeffrey Sherrard says

    I had purchased some 5 star a few weeks ago and kind of forgot to look for recipes for it. The store I go to does not have Szechuan peppercorns , but now you have me going to find them elsewhere after the words "numbing effect on the lips and tongue". I have to try some new tastes. Thanks for the recipes.
    Jeff

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Sure thing, Jeff. Szechuan peppercorns are truly unique, definitely something I love having in my pantry for so many recipes. Best of luck.

      Reply

Chinese 5 Spice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much Chinese 5 spice to use in cooking? ›

Although it's not spicy-hot, it is rather intense. “Less is more” is a good rule of thumb to use when cooking with it. With that in mind, feel free to experiment. It's such an easy way to add complex flavor to a dish, it's almost like cheating!

What's in the Chinese 5 spices? ›

But what exactly IS Chinese 5 spice? 5 spice is a combination of cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds and cloves – the 5th ingredient can vary across recipes, we use sichuan peppercorns. But ginger and white pepper are also commonly used as the fifth component.

What to use if you don't have Chinese 5 spices? ›

9 Top Substitutes for Chinese Five Spice
  • Garam Masala. If you have cooked Indian cuisine before, you would know the importance of Garam Masala. ...
  • Allspice. Our next top ingredient is Allspice. ...
  • Baharat. ...
  • Za'atar. ...
  • Cinnamon Sticks and Dillweed. ...
  • Ras elhanout. ...
  • Cinnamon and Star Anise. ...
  • Sichuan Pepper and Fennel Seeds.
Feb 1, 2023

Is there a difference between 5 spices and Chinese 5 spices? ›

In the culinary arts, five spice (also known as Chinese five spice) is a blend of ground spices used in Chinese and Vietnamese cooking.

How to use Chinese 5 spices in cooking? ›

As a spice rub, Chinese five spice adds a warmth and complexity that can only be achieved by a blend of ingredients. You can use it on roasted vegetables or to give some flavor to plain rice. It's also fantastic in cakes and other desserts, as it gives an interesting savory twist to something that's normally sweet.

What is the best way to use Chinese five spice? ›

Warm, sweet, and wondrous, Chinese five spice is a favorite for barbecue, braised dishes, roasted veggies, quick stir fries, noodle dishes, and even desserts. This blend creates a shortcut into authentic Chinese flavors, but you'll soon find yourself fusing it into all types of cooking.

What is Chief Chinese 5 spice? ›

A blend of anise, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and ginger, it is designed to impart a wide variety of tastes to fit many different types of prepared foods. A combination that produces citrus, licorice, earthy and sweet cinnamon notes.

Is Chinese 5 spice same as 7 spice? ›

At first glance seven spice powder may sound like a variant on Chinese five spice powder, but they couldn't be more different. Or rather, they're exactly as different as their native cuisines. Five spice, fragrant with sweet and spicy anise flavors, is the perfect compliment to meaty Chinese braises and barbecues.

What is the most common Chinese spice? ›

Popular herbs like ginger, garlic, scallions, star anise, cinnamon, and Sichuan peppercorns are frequently used in Chinese cooking because of their therapeutic properties, in addition to their ability to improve the flavour, aroma, and texture of food.

What is the closest thing to five spice powder? ›

Allspice

Allspice is a combination of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, pepper, and cinnamon flavors. It has a strong pungent aroma that is warm and spicy. What is this? It is the best alternative to Chinese five spice since it is a single spice powder without needing to combine with other spices.

What seasoning do Chinese restaurants use? ›

15 Essential Chinese Spices & Herbs to Enhance Your Cooking
  • Red Sichuan Peppercorns. Sichuan peppercorns are berries, not peppers, from the prickly ash tree. ...
  • Star Anise. ...
  • Chinese Cinnamon. ...
  • Fennel Seeds. ...
  • Cloves. ...
  • Bay Leaves. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Sand Ginger.
Oct 10, 2023

What is another name for Chinese five spice? ›

Known as Wu Xiang Fen (五香粉) in Chinese, five spice powder is a type of ground spice blend commonly used in Chinese cuisine. Unlike what its name suggests, it doesn't necessarily contain only five spices. Usually, the number is a little higher.

How long does Chinese 5 spice last? ›

Storage: McCormick Culinary® Chinese Five Spice has a shelf life of 1,080 days when tightly closed and stored in a cool, dry place to protect against flavor loss and moisture. Avoid exposure to heat, humidity, direct sunlight and fluorescent light to maintain flavor and color.

Can I use Chinese 5 spice instead of allspice? ›

The warm, spicy-sweet flavor of allspice is very similar to that of five-spice powder, a blend of cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cloves, and ginger or pepper. Use equal parts of five-spice powder in place of the ground allspice called for in a recipe—it's great for both savory and sweet applications.

Is ginger in Chinese 5 spice? ›

Chinese Five Spice is an intense spice blend that adds an Asian flavor to meat and poultry dishes. Try with spice cakes, muffins, or cookies. For an interesting twist, add to seafood batters or your favorite pumpkin pie recipe. Contains cinnamon, anise seed, cloves, ginger, and fennel.

How much spice to use in cooking? ›

The Rules. Remember the ½ Rule - Start off with 1/2 teaspoon of spice for any dish that serves four to six people. And for herbs, use 1/2 teaspoon for powders and 1-1/2 teaspoon for dried or chopped.

What is the most used spice in Chinese cooking? ›

Green onions, ginger, and garlic are the three most common Chinese herbs and spices, which are commonly used together to cook all kinds of vegetables and meat, especially in stir fry.

How much Chinese five spice powder equals one star anise? ›

Star anise is one of the main ingredients in Chinese five spice powder, which also includes cinnamon, fennel, pepper and cloves. Use this substitution ratio: For 1 whole star anise, use ½ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder.

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