Traditional Chinese Five Spice Powder

A common ingredient in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, Chinese five spice powder combines five spices in an explosion of flavor that covers all five tastes — sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. Use it in this probiotic apple chutney recipe or as a spice rub for your favorite roasted meat!

What spices are in Chinese five spice?

These are the spices you need, whether whole or ground. I recommend whole for the most potent and aromatic spice mix, but ground will work in a pinch.

You’ll find common substitutions below, too.

From left to right: Szechuan peppercorns, star anise, a cinnamon stick, fennel seeds, and whole cloves.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Cassia cinnamon – Also known as Chinese cinnamon.
• Clove – May use Mandarin orange peel instead.
• Fennel seed – This is a very flavorful spice that tastes like licorice. Feel free to use ginger root instead for a well-rounded, albeit different flavor.
• Star anise – Similar to fennel, this spice has a licorice-like, sweet yet peppery flavor. You may use anise seeds instead.
• Szechuan (Sichuan) pepper – You may use plain black pepper instead, although it won’t be the same. Szechuan pepper produces a tingly, numbing effect in the mouth when eaten, so it’s hard to find a close substitute.

Instructions

1. Gather your spices.
2. Optional: Toast your whole spices in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them! Once their aroma is released, remove it from heat and let cool completely.
3. Combine spices in a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle. You can also use your Mockmill! (See instructions below.)
4. Grind until they are a fine powder.
5. Transfer to a small, air-tight container. If desired, use a fine-mesh strainer to filter out any larger particles.
6. Store your Chinese five-spice powder in a cool, dark location. Use up within a matter of months for the best flavor.

I do recommend whole spices, but if any of your spices are ground, go ahead with grinding the whole ones and simply mix in the ground spices after the fact.

Using Your Mockmill

You already know I love my Mockmill. It is the easiest, cleanest, and quietest grain mill I’ve ever used… and it can grind many spices, too!

To use your Mockmill to make Chinese five spice powder, first cut the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces. Place a small bowl or jar underneath the chute to catch the spices. Turn your Mockmill on to its finest setting. Pour all of the spices into the hopper, and watch them come out of the chute… finely ground!

To clean your Mockmill after grinding those fragrant spices, simply mill some white rice. I show you how here.

The Mockmill is a wonderful way to grind spices because it offers more control of milling grade, continuous flow, and it’s much easier to clean than your typical spice or coffee grinder!

For more information on the Mockmill, check out our Home Grain Milling 101 series. You can also visit this link for 5% off (no coupon code needed) your purchase of a Mockmill!

Recipes That Use Chinese Five Spice

• Add to this apple chutney recipe.
• Use as a spice rub for grilled meats.
• Season roasted veggies.
• Combine with olive oil and add to roasting nuts for the perfect kick of seasoning.
• Enjoy in sourdough or soaked pumpkin bread.
• Add to stir-fries.

Did you try this Chinese five spice powder recipe? If so, please give us a rating on the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media so we can see your Asian-inspired recipes!

3.8 from 5 votes

Print

Chinese Five Spice Powder

A common ingredient in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, Chinese five spice powder combines five spices in an explosion of flavor that covers all five tastes -- sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. Makes about 1/4 cup.

Course Spice Mix

Cuisine Chinese, Vietnamese

Prep Time 5 minutes

Author Haniya Cherry

Ingredients

• 2 star anise or 1 teaspoon ground
• 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorn or 1 teaspoon ground
• 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground
• 12 whole cloves or 1 teaspoon ground
• 1-1/2 teaspoon fennel seed or 1 teaspoon ground

Instructions

1. Gather your spices and combine them in a spice mill, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle. You can also use your Mockmill! (See instructions below.)

2. Grind until they are a fine powder.
3. Transfer to a small, air-tight container. If desired, use a fine mesh strainer to filter out any larger particles.
4. Store in a cool, dark location. Use up within a matter of months for best flavor.

Recipe Notes

Feel free to increase or decrease the amounts of certain spices to get the taste that best suits your preference!

I do recommend whole spices, but if any of your spices are ground, go ahead with grinding the whole ones and simply mix in the ground ones after the fact.

To use your Mockmill to make Chinese five spice powder, first cut the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces. Place a small bowl or jar underneath the chute to catch the spices. Turn your Mockmill on to its finest setting. Pour all of the spices into the hopper, and watch them come out of the chute... finely ground!

Looking for more spice blend recipes? Try these!

• 2-Minute Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
• Homemade Za’atar Seasoning (Middle Eastern Spice Blend)
• Homemade Herb Seasoning Salt (Similar To Herbamare)
• Avoid Additives with 45 Homemade Dressings, Sauces, and Seasonings

This post was originally published and written by Wardee Harmon in 2o10. It was updated and republished on 4/21/21.