Chinese Five Spice Powder
Chinese five spice powder is a flavorful blend often used in cooking fatty meats like pork and duck, but it also complements seafood beautifully. I always keep a large supply in my pantry for a variety of dishes.
Chinese 5 Spice Powder
Many believe this spice mix hails from the traditional elements: fire, water, air, earth, and space. While this connection might be a stretch, it does cover all flavor categories. This classic recipe offers a mix of sour, salty, sweet, and bitter notes.
The primary spices included are star anise, Sichuan peppercorns (or black pepper), fennel, and cassia or Chinese cinnamon. Additional spices like sand ginger, cloves, turmeric, licorice, fennel seeds, or citrus peel might be mixed in, making it somewhat akin to garam masala with its warm spices.
Traditionally, Asian cultures use Sichuan peppercorns, originating from China’s Sichuan Province, known for a distinctive spicy, pungent flavor. Modern variations often use black or white pepper, which are more readily available in grocery stores.
How to Use Five Spice Powder
If I’ve piqued your interest in Chinese Five Spice, here’s how to incorporate it into your cooking.
This spice is great for stir-frying, or seasoning roasted meats and vegetables. It blends well with fresh orange juice, lemon juice, and honey. While not traditional, it creates a delightful flavor.
Use it as a spice rub for grilled meats like beef, chicken, or pork belly. Incorporate it into a marinade or grain-free breading. Naturally, it complements Chinese-inspired dishes like Asian BBQ pork or Peking duck, but its use isn’t limited to just Chinese cuisine.
Some other fantastic ways to utilize this spice blend include:
If Five Spice isn’t your flavor preference, explore my other spice blend recipes to find one you enjoy!
Chinese Five Spice Seasoning
A homemade Chinese 5-Spice blend incorporating anise, black pepper, fennel, cinnamon, and cloves offers a rich, complex taste perfect for use on meats or vegetables.
- Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
- Use within 1-2 years and store in a cool, dark place for optimal flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Chinese Five Spice Seasoning
Amount Per Serving (1 tsp)
Calories 5
Calories from Fat 2
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.2g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.02g 0%
Trans Fat 0.001g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.04g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Sodium 333mg 14%
Potassium 21mg 1%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 0.02g 0%
Protein 0.2g 0%
Vitamin A 5IU 0%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 0.4mg 2%
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Great on veggies and in drinks too!
Amp Up the Flavor
I favor the above recipe for its simplicity and bold taste (a bonus for a mom of six!). Traditionally, you would start with whole spices and toast them for enhanced flavor. Here’s the process for those wishing to take this additional step:
- Use the specified amounts of whole, not ground, spices. For cinnamon, use six 3-inch sticks.
- Toast spices in a skillet over medium-low heat for several minutes until aromatic, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Transfer spices to a coffee or spice grinder and process until a fine powder is achieved.
Ever tried Chinese Five Spice seasoning? How did you use it? Leave a comment and let us know!
Leave a Reply