Whether it’s a bowl of cut vegetables or a freshly prepared curry, garnishing it with coriander leaves brings in so much fresh flavour. Coriander is a common household name that needs no introduction. But if you are out of it, try a coriander substitute.
Coriander can be used in all its forms. Coriander leaves commonly known as cilantro, and coriander seeds are something we all love. Coriander leaves can be used for garnishing as well as a cooking ingredient. Coriander seeds are often used in ground form.
I have the answer if you are wondering what could be used as a coriander substitute. Basil, dill, tarragon, curry powder, and garam masala are some of the best coriander substitutes we can use at home.
All of us must have had coriander at least once. Coriander’s taste is so unique that it’s hard to miss noticing it. However, if you have never had coriander, it might be hard to find a perfect substitute.
Let’s begin by learning about this amazing plant, the coriander. It tastes excellent in vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine and is simple to get and cultivate. Let’s learn a bit more about coriander in the following parts!
Quick Peek: Coriander
In this session, let’s take a close look at coriander. This session will discuss coriander, its taste, health benefits, uses, and much more!
What Is Coriander?
A member of the Apiaceae family, coriander is a green leafy plant. All parts of the plants are edible. However, the leaves and the seeds are the most commonly used parts of the plant. Different names in different parts of the world know coriander. The most common of them are dhania, cilantro, and Chinese parsley.
People all across the world use coriander for flavouring purposes. It is commonly used in seed, leaf as well as ground form. In this article, we will look into how coriander can be substituted in all its forms.
If you are someone who loves Asian cuisine, then coriander is something you cannot avoid. The flavour coriander brings into the dish is unparalleled. However, if you cannot find coriander, we need to look for a good coriander substitute.
Describing Coriander: Flavor And Texture
Coriander has a strong flavor profile. Coriander has a bright and warm lemony flavor to it. It has a very fresh, pungent fragrance. The flavor and fragrance of coriander influence the dish’s overall flavor.
Fresh coriander has a minty flavor to it. It is slightly citrusy and tart in nature. But when added freshly to dishes, the tart flavor won’t affect the dish’s overall flavor. The coriander seed in nut form has a nutty flavor, which combines very well with most other seeds, like cumin and pepper.
Both fresh coriander and ground coriander are widely used all across the world. It is a staple in Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine. It brings a nutty flavor to the dish and is often associated with many health benefits.
However, coriander is not everyone’s cup of coffee! Some people hate coriander with all their hearts and think that coriander tastes like that soap!
Uses Of Coriander
Coriander, as a spice, has multiple uses. It is widely used as a spice to add flavor to food. Moreover, it is also used for multiple purposes. Coriander is widely used as a medicine in many cultures.
Coriander On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Most of you must have used coriander in your food. You must have used it for the flavor it brings to your food. But do you know coriander is much more than just a flavoring ingredient? In this section, let’s look into some of the coriander’s most incredible health benefits.
- Helps with Diabetes – Coriander is said to be extremely effective in lowering blood sugar levels. In fact, people with low blood sugar levels should use coriander ( in all its form ) in moderation. A study on animals shows that 9 mg of coriander can lower blood sugar by 4 mmol/ L.
- Boost Antioxidants – coriander is a powerhouse of many antioxidants. It is an effective way to boost immunity. Coriander is also said to help in treating inflammations and burns.
- Cools Down Body – Coriander is said to have many uses in ayurveda. Cooling down the body is one of the many uses of coriander. For this purpose, coriander can be added to your food either in raw form or in ground form.
- Improves Heart Health – Coriander can lower the blood pressure and cholesterol levels in our bodies. Thus including coriander in your diet on a daily basis can reduce the risk of having strokes and heart attacks.
- Protects Brain Health – Many brain ailments like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are caused due to inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of coriander are said to be extremely beneficial in preventing these diseases.
- Promotes Gut Health- Coriander helps in indigestion. In many cultures, coriander leaves are given to get relief from indigestion issues. Coriander is also said to improve appetite. Thus if you are facing any appetite loss, try including some coriander in your food.
- Protect Skin: Coriander leaves are used for many skin issues. Since coriander is said to be extremely beneficial for treating inflammation, coriander leaf juice is often used for acne and pimple marks. Coriander can even control rashes to an extract.
Why Use A Coriander Substitute
After reading about all coriander’s uses and health benefits, I’m sure you must reconsider your decision to find a good coriander substitute. But in this session, I have enough reasons for why you need to try a coriander substitute.
Unavailability is the first reason. Ground coriander and coriander leaves are something we all love. But regardless of our love, these items are not always available to us. Especially fresh coriander leaves; thus, if you cannot find a coriander, you need a coriander substitute.
Food adulteration is something very common these days. If you are going for ground coriander, always make sure to grab the original coriander powder. The best way to use ground coriander is to make it at home. If you cannot find a good coriander powder, use a good substitute instead.
Many people love the taste of coriander. But there is another section of society that hates coriander and its taste. If you are someone like that who hates the taste of coriander, replace that coriander with a good coriander substitute and continue your cooking journey!
I hope I have given you good reasons to try a replacement for coriander. Now that we have talked so much about coriander and its substitute let’s dive straight into the core of our article, which is the best coriander substitute?
9 Best Coriander Substitutes
For Cilantro/ Coriander Leaves
1. Tarragon
Tarragon has a pungent bittersweet flavor and can be used as a good coriander substitute. Tarragon, just like coriander leaves, has a bright green color and looks almost similar to fresh coriander leaves.
Tarragon combines very well with all other spices, especially drill and basil. Thus if you are preparing any chicken or fish dishes, tarragon can be easily used in place of coriander.
2. Basil
Basil is another leaf that has a minty flavor to it. It is a common flavoring ingredient in Italian dishes and can be very well used in almost all dishes as a coriander substitute. It has small leaves and a fresh fragrance to it.
Basil brings in flavor as well as aroma, just like coriander leaves. Thus, if you run short of coriander leaves, use some basil leaves instead. Basil is sweeter than that coriander leaves; thus, you should add more spice to your food to balance the flavor.
3. Parsley
Another favourite coriander substitute is parsley leaves. Parsley leaves are available in both flat as well as curled forms. Both of these can be used as coriander leaf substitutes. Just chop them off into small pieces and add them to all your favourite dishes; you won’t miss coriander leaves anymore!
However, parsley is more on the bitter side. Thus when adding to dishes, add ½ tablespoon of parsley leaf in place of 1 tablespoon of coriander leaves. It can be added to salads, casseroles as well as soups.
4. Dill
Dill is one of the most widely used coriander substitutes. Fresh dill brings so much flavor to your dishes, just like that of coriander. Thus if you are out of coriander leaves, go looking for some fresh dills.
Even though dill is the perfect replacement for coriander leaves, fresh dills are hard to come. Dill leaves become a little bitter in the hot season and cannot be used as a coriander substitute. Thus, always go for fresh dill leaves as a coriander substitute.
For Ground Coriander
6. Cumin
If you have ever cooked an Indian dish, you might have noticed that most dishes that call for coriander also ask for cumins. Cumins add a burst of flavour to the dishes just like coriander and can be easily used as a coriander substitute.
Cumin has a rich earthy flavor with a hint of citrus notes. It can be used as seeds or in ground form. However, the pungency of flavor is less in cumin; thus, when replacing, use two tablespoons of cumin for 1 tablespoon of coriander powder.
7. Curry Powder
Curry powder is a mix of different spices. It contains chilli powder, coriander powder, pepper powder, and other spices. Thus curry powder can be used as a good coriander substitute.
The ingredient list of curry powder changes from one brand to another. Hence, always go for curry powder which uses chilli and coriander powder as its main ingredients. Moreover, curry powder brings so much flavour to your dish.
Therefore before adding any other spice, do a quick taste test of your dishes. Choose some other coriander substitute if your dish doesn’t call for any other flavor other than just coriander.
8. Garam Masala
Garam masala is a commonly used spice mix in most Indian cuisines. Other than coriander seeds, it also contains nutmeg, fennel, cumin, cardamom, and many more spices. Thus it can be used as an idle coriander substitute.
Garam masala, like curry powder, brings so much flavor to your dish. Also, garam masala will have a more robust flavor and aroma than that coriander powder. Then while replacing coriander powder with garam masala, use garam masala in a moderate manner.
Also, if you are preparing any western cuisines, the use of garam masala will not be suitable. It brings the flavor of so many herbs along with that of coriander. Always add a little amount of garam masala and test its taste before adding a huge quantity.
9. Caraway Seeds
Caraway is one of the most suitable coriander substitutes we can use. It brings a similar flavor, like that of coriander, and is easily available. It has a nutty flavor with a hint of bitterness and a citrusy flavor, just like the coriander seeds.
If you are here to find a coriander substitute because you do not like the taste of it, then stay away from caraway seeds because they taste just like coriander seeds.
Caraway seeds can be added to dishes in ground form or as seeds. It goes very well with vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.
A Short Recap Of Coriander Substitutes
That was a long read about coriander and its substitutes. But if you still need clarification about what to use as a coriander substitute. In the following section, let’s categorize coriander substitutes accordingly
Best Coriander Leaf Substitutes
- Basil
- Parsley
Best Ground Coriander Substitutes
- Caraway Seeds
- Curry Powder
Coriander Substitutes That Should Be Least Considered
- Garam Masala
How To Use Coriander Substitutes In A Recipe
9 Best Coriander Substitutes You Can Try!
Ingredients
- Tarragon
- Basil
- Parsley
- Dill
- Cumin
- Curry Powder
- Garam Masala
- Caraway Seeds
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
As we are at the end of this article, I hope you have found a good coriander substitute. Coriander brings so much flavour and aroma to your dish. However, if you cannot find coriander leaf or ground coriander, go for one of the most suitable coriander substitutes.
Ground coriander is milder than that fresh coriander. Thus always use all the substitutes moderately and do a quick taste test of your dish before using the substitute in large amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to substitute for coriander?
Caraway seeds, dill, tarragon, and garam masala are some of the best coriander substitutes.
What herb can I use instead of coriander?
Basil and tarragon are two herbs which can be used in place of coriander.
What flavour is similar to coriander?
Cumin and caraway have a similar flavour as that of coriander.
Can I replace coriander with parsley?
Yes. Parsley can be used as a coriander substitute.
Do cumin and coriander taste the same?
No. Cumin is more bitter than that coriander.
