Out of allspice? This easy allspice recipe uses cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to make a simple homemade substitute in minutes.
Allspice recipe searches are usually made by home cooks who either don't have allspice on hand or want an easy substitute that tastes right.
Despite its name, allspice is not a blend-it's a single spice made from the dried berry of the Pimenta dioica plant, with a flavor that naturally resembles cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Because of this, it's easy to recreate the taste of allspice at home using a few common pantry spices. This easy allspice recipe comes together in minutes and works beautifully in both sweet and savory dishes.
Let me show you how simple it is.
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Quick Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 1 teaspoon (easily scalable)
- Equipment Needed: Spice grater or microplane (if using whole nutmeg), small jar with a tight-fitting lid, whisk or spoon
- Serving Suggestions: Use this homemade allspice as a 1:1 substitute in baking and cooking, including cookies, cakes, quick breads, soups, and stews.
Ingredients
- Cloves: A bold, aromatic baking spice that gives allspice its signature warmth.
- Cinnamon: Adds natural sweetness and balance to the blend; use ground cinnamon or grind sticks if preferred.
- Nutmeg: Rounds out the flavor with subtle earthiness; freshly grated nutmeg provides the best aroma.
Instructions
To make 1 teaspoon of homemade allspice, combine:
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix well until evenly blended. Store in an airtight jar.
Use this blend as a 1:1 substitute for ground allspice in your favorite recipes.
Tips
- Scale easily: Double, triple, or quadruple the batch depending on how often you use it. Store in an airtight jar.
- Blend before using: Shake or stir to evenly distribute the spices.
- Storage: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months for best flavor.
- Sweet vs. savory: Add slightly more cinnamon for baked goods, or more cloves for savory dishes to enhance warmth.
- Gift idea: Package in a small jar with a handwritten label - perfect for friends, family, or holiday baskets.
FAQ
Allspice is the dried berry of the Pimenta dioica tree, native to Jamaica and the Caribbean. It's sometimes called Jamaican pepper because its flavor resembles a mix of several warm spices.
Allspice has a warm, aromatic flavor that naturally combines hints of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It's slightly pungent, with a mild peppery note, making it perfect for both sweet and savory dishes.
Real allspice is a single dried berry, not a blend. However, you can mimic its flavor at home by combining cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg - the proportions in this recipe work beautifully.
Allspice works in both sweet and savory recipes. Add a pinch to soups, stews, roasted vegetables, or savory sauces. It's also excellent in baked goods, like gingerbread, cookies, or pumpkin-based desserts.
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, this homemade blend keeps its best flavor for up to 6 months.
Our Favorite Allspice Recipes You'll Love
These tried-and-true recipes use allspice to add warmth and flavor to baked goods and savory dishes alike.
Recipe Origins
I have a fascination with herbs and spices. Their magical ability to elevate the flavor and fragrance of almost any dish is nothing short of spectacular.
My friends and family know this little obsession of mine. In fact, when they travel abroad, I am always the lucky recipient of some exotic spice! I am so grateful for this.
I was recently gifted nutmeg and cloves by a friend who just returned from Greece. Although they are considered warm spices, these basic spices are not very exotic. But I have to tell you, the fragrance was unbelievable!
One Sunday morning, not too long ago, I started baking my honey spice cake when I suddenly realized I had run out of allspice.
A quick search through my reference books confirmed that I had all the ingredients for my own allspice! Before I knew it, I was making the allspice recipe that I am now sharing with all of you.
I hope it comes in handy so that the next time you wonder what spices are in allspice, you will know.
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★★★★★ If you have made this Allspice Recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Allspice Recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Substitute That Works!
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Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground
- ¼ teaspoon cloves ground
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground
Instructions
- Combine all of the spices in a jar.
- Shake to ensure equal distribution of the individual spices.
- Place lid and store at room temperature.
Notes
- Double, triple, or quadruple the batch depending on how often you use it. Store in an airtight jar.
- Shake or stir to evenly distribute the spices.
- Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months for best flavor.
- Add slightly more cinnamon for baked goods, or more cloves for savory dishes to enhance warmth.
- Package in a small jar with a handwritten label - perfect for friends, family, or holiday baskets.
Nutrition
I originally published this article on February 14, 2019, and republished it on February 19, 2026, with updated content. Thanks for sharing!
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Cynthia Walton
I tried to buy allspice at Thanksgiving and my local store was out. I googled it and found out what the ingredients are. Made some up and used it the same day. Thanks for the recipe.
Maria
Fantastic Cynthia! Thanks for sharing.
Val
I remember this the next time I run out of allspice. Thanks for sharing!
Maria
My pleasure Val. It really does come in handy. Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it!