Cumin Substitute
Written by Mustapha B. · Updated August 13, 2026
Chili powder is the handiest cumin stand-in. See more below.
If you are out of cumin, ground coriander is the most natural replacement, since the two come from the same plant family and share an earthy warmth, though coriander is milder and a bit citrusy. Use it 1:1 and add a small pinch of chili powder if you want back some of cumin's smoky depth. Chili powder itself is another easy swap, because cumin is already one of its main ingredients, so it carries a familiar flavor into chilis, tacos, and stews.
Garam masala or curry powder can also fill in, especially in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, but use a lighter hand since both are complex blends with other strong spices. A practical tip: cumin's flavor is bold and distinctive, so when substituting, start with about three-quarters of the called-for amount, taste, and adjust upward. Toasting whatever spice you choose in a dry pan for a minute deepens its aroma closer to cumin's signature warmth.
Spice substitutions
Out of something mid-recipe? Search above for a working substitute with the right ratio. Below is the full list, each swap is chosen to behave as closely as possible to the original in cooking and baking.
| Out of… | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Cumin | Equal amount chili powder (milder, add a pinch of chili) · or · Equal parts ground coriander + a pinch of chili |
| Paprika | Equal amount mild chili powder · or · A smaller amount of cayenne (hotter) |
| Thyme | Equal amount oregano or marjoram · or · Italian seasoning |
| Oregano | Equal amount marjoram or thyme · or · Italian seasoning |
| Basil | Equal amount oregano · or · Equal amount thyme |
| Cinnamon | Equal amount allspice or nutmeg (use less) · or · Pumpkin pie spice |
| Nutmeg | Equal amount mace · or · Cinnamon or allspice |
| Ginger (ground) | Equal amount allspice, cinnamon or mace · or · ¼ tsp ground = 1 tbsp grated fresh |
| Garlic powder | ⅛ tsp powder = 1 fresh clove · or · Equal amount granulated garlic |
| Onion powder | 1 tbsp dried minced onion per 1 tsp powder |
| Italian seasoning | Equal parts basil, oregano, thyme & rosemary |
| Chili powder | Paprika + cumin + a pinch of cayenne · or · Taco seasoning |
| Cayenne | Red pepper flakes (use more) · or · A few dashes of hot sauce |
| Allspice | Equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves · or · Pumpkin pie spice |
| Cardamom | Equal parts cinnamon + nutmeg · or · Equal parts ginger + cinnamon |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good substitute for cumin?
Ground coriander is the closest single swap, used one-to-one. Chili powder also works well since it already contains cumin.
Can I leave cumin out of a recipe?
In many dishes you can omit it, though you will lose warmth and depth. Adding a little coriander or chili powder helps keep the flavor balanced.