Top 3 Coriander Substitutes You Need to Know

Coriander is a tiny seed, roughly the size of a peppercorn. Interestingly, it’s the seed of the cilantro plant, though its flavor is quite different. In many places, both the cilantro leaves and the coriander seeds are simply called 'coriander.'

What Is the Flavor of Coriander?

Coriander, being the seed of the cilantro plant, may raise concerns for cilantro haters, but thankfully, the taste is far from the herbal, soapy flavor of cilantro. You’ve probably already encountered coriander in curry powder or meat rubs.

Coriander is often part of spice blends, so while you might not always taste it individually, you’d certainly notice its absence. On its own, coriander offers a mild, nutty flavor with a hint of citrus. It’s similar to spices like cinnamon or nutmeg but with a fresher, sharper finish. Coriander stands out because it can complement both rich, warming blends like garam masala and bright, fresh ingredients like lemon and herbs.

Why You Might Need Coriander Substitutes

If you're reading this, chances are you’re in need of a coriander replacement for a dish you're preparing. Maybe you ran out, or perhaps you or someone else isn't fond of coriander—or is allergic to it. Or maybe you’re just curious to experiment with new flavors. Whatever the reason, a lack of coriander shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying your favorite recipes.

Try the recipe: Authentic and Easy Shrimp Curry

Top Coriander Substitutes

Cumin

Cumin and coriander are like the dynamic duo of your spice rack—often used together, particularly in Indian cuisine. Dishes like dahl frequently pair cumin with coriander and other spices, making it easy to increase the cumin if you’re out of coriander. The same goes for rice dishes from around the world, where the two spices infuse the rice with aromatic flavor.

If you enjoy Moroccan cuisine, try making your own Ras El Hanout, a popular spice blend that typically combines cumin and coriander. If you’re short on coriander, cumin can easily take its place in this flavorful mix.

Caraway

Coriander has a mild astringency that caraway shares, making caraway an ideal substitute for whole coriander in recipes like pickling spice or meat brines. These two spices are often paired in Tunisian harissa paste, a zesty condiment for meats, vegetables, and more. While ground caraway can replace ground coriander in a pinch, keep in mind the flavor will differ. Use half the amount of caraway as you would coriander when substituting.

Fennel

Coriander and fennel both carry an earthy flavor with a hint of citrus, but fennel has a stronger licorice taste. When using fennel as a coriander substitute, use half as much fennel. Whole fennel seeds also work well as a substitute for whole coriander in recipes requiring whole spices. Fennel pairs beautifully with lamb, so if you’re making kofta kebabs, consider swapping coriander for fennel for a delicious variation.

Effective Tips for Using Coriander Substitutes

• When you diverge from a recipe, it's important to remember that the end result won't be exactly the same as a non-substituted version. As long as you manage your expectations, things will still be delicious.
• Deciding which swap to use depends on the flavor profile of the dish you're making. Think about what you want the final dish to taste like and what cuisine or part of the world you're exploring. Some swaps will be better than others, depending on what else is in the dish.