Gourmet Hacks: 5 BEST Substitutes for Grains of Paradise

Finding the perfect substitute for grains of paradise can feel like a mini quest in your kitchen. These seeds pack a unique, peppery punch that’s hard to replicate.

Yet, we’ve all been there, right in the middle of cooking, only to realize we’re missing that one key ingredient.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered with five amazing alternatives. Each of these substitutes brings its own flare, ensuring your dishes still come out tasting fantastic.

We’ve been through the trial and error, so you don’t have to. Trust us, the results are worth it.

What is Grains of Paradise?

According to an article published by Serious Eats, Grains of Paradise is a spice used in many West African cuisines.

Grains of Paradise has an aromatic flavor that tastes like pepper but hints of cardamom and lemon peel.

It is different from black peppercorn because it contains no piperine (the compound responsible for the spiciness of black pepper.

) Grains of Paradise can be used to replace black pepper and is often found in spice blends.

Depending on the dish and the region, Grains of Paradise can be used in different ways:

• Used as a replacement for black pepper in West African cuisine.
• Used to flavor soups, stews, roast meats and vegetables, and rice dishes.

Grains of Paradise has many health benefits, such as preventing heart disease, diabetes, cancer cell growth inhibition, and relieving arthritis pain.

It isn’t easy to find in American supermarkets but can be purchased online or in specialty spice stores.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Grains of Paradise

It is known for its unique flavor profile, reminiscent of black pepper with hints of floral and citrus notes.

However, if you find yourself without grains of paradise or want to experiment with different flavors, there are several substitutes available that can provide similar characteristics.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Mustard Seeds	Slightly spicy and pungent flavor	Use an equal amount of mustard seeds as a substitute
Cardamom Pods	Warm and aromatic with a hint of citrus	Use an equal amount of crushed cardamom pods as a substitute
Allspice Berries	Complex flavor combining cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves	Use an equal amount of allspice berries as a substitute
Sansho Powder	Zesty and citrusy taste with a numbing sensation	Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sansho powder as a substitute for 1 teaspoon of grains
Ground Black Pepper	Similar peppery flavor with less complexity	Use an equal amount of ground black pepper as a substitute

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Mustard Seeds

A common substitute found in Indian and Asian food; mustard seeds are in the same family as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale.

This spice is used in many cuisines, including American cuisine.

It’s easy to see why mustard seeds are a good replacement for grains of paradise.

Their flavor is similar and can be found in almost any international market.

When you purchase mustard seeds, there are several options.

You can purchase the whole or pre-ground into a powder.

Grinding whole mustard seeds beforehand will help release their maximum flavor potential.

It’s important to note that mustard seeds have a very strong heat.

Thus, they may not be the best substitute if you’re looking for a more subtle spice.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of mustard seeds as a substitute for grains of paradise in your recipes.

2 – Cardamom Pods

In India and Asia, cardamom pods are used to spice in many rice dishes.

It’s also used to season curries, vegetables, and meat.

The flavor of cardamom is rich and mellow, similar to a mixture of nutmeg and black pepper.

This spice has a smoky taste that can mix well with other flavors.

It’s important to note that the price of these pods has risen over the years, just as grains of paradise have.

Thus, this may not be the best possible substitute for this spice.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of crushed cardamom pods as a substitute for grains of paradise in your recipes.

3 – Allspice Berries

While allspice was once a primary export of Jamaica, it also grows in Guatemala and Mexico.

It’s grown from the pimenta tree, which is related to the pepper family of plants.

This spice has a smoky flavor found in many of your favorite barbecue sauces.

In addition, allspice has a sweet and spicy flavor with hints of cloves.

The flavor of this spice is stronger than cloves and cinnamon but not as potent as ginger.

Allspice berries can be found in most international markets.

However, finding them fresh may be difficult to detect their sweet smell.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of allspice berries as a substitute for grains of paradise in your recipes.

4 – Sansho Powder

Sansho powder is a traditional Japanese spice.

It’s made from the seeds of the sansho fruit, which can be found in China and Japan.

This spice has a sour, citrusy taste similar to Grains of Paradise.

The primary difference is that sansho powder contains ginger and lemon peel hints.

It’s important to note that sansho powder should not be used to replace black pepper.

Sansho powder is best used in Japanese cuisines, such as yakitori and teriyaki dishes.

So experiment with this spice if you’re looking for a new flavor of your favorite Japanese dishes.

Proper Ratio: Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sansho powder as a substitute for 1 teaspoon of grains of paradise in your recipes.

5 – Ground Black Peppers

It may be surprising that black pepper is a good substitute for Grains of Paradise.

It’s used in many cuisines, including Spanish, Italian, French, and Chinese.

Black pepper has an intense taste with hints of nutmeg and cloves.

However, you’ll find this spice can vary in flavor by the type of pepper used.

For instance, Indian black pepper is smokier than its Malabar counterpart.

It has hints of clove and can be purchased in either whole or ground form.

Black pepper powder is also a great option – with its flavors being similar to grains of paradise but not as intense.

Of course, you’ll need to experiment with your favorite dishes.

Black pepper is typically milder than grains of paradise, so you may want to use a little bit more to get that same flavor.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of ground black pepper as a substitute for grains of paradise in your recipes.

Conclusion

Grains of Paradise is an interesting spice that’s used in many cuisines.

Its flavor is smoky with hints of black pepper and gingerbread.

However, plenty of other spices can be used as a replacement for Grains of Paradise.

These spices include mustard seed, cardamom pods, allspice berries, sansho powder, and ground black peppercorns.

Of course, it’s important to note that spices may not be a perfect substitute for Grains of Paradise.

They will have their flavors and strengths, so you’ll need to experiment with them in your favorite dishes.