5 Best Pickling Spice Substitutes in Every Recipe

No ratings yet

Pick a substitute blend based on your recipe style (classic pickles vs. sweeter bread-and-butter style) and match intensity by aroma.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Servings: 1 batch

Course: Substitutes

Best Matches

1:1 Whole spice blend (mustard seed + dill seed + coriander + allspice) Closest overall aroma for brines; grind spices slightly for faster bloom.
1:1 Homemade pickling-spice mix (mustard seed + allspice + black pepper + bay leaf) Pepper-forward and balanced; bay leaf adds depth for hot brines.

Good Alternatives

¾:1 Allspice + black pepper + crushed garlic (brine-friendly trio) More savory than classic; reduce slightly because garlic can dominate.
1:1 Ginger + cinnamon (small-dose sweet-warm option) Works best for sweet pickles; use sparingly to avoid dessert flavor.

Emergency Swaps

1:1 Dill seed + mustard seed only (minimal classic base) Good if you only have the core “pickling” seeds; flavor will be simpler.
½:1 Jerusalem? (No) — Cloves + pepper (spice punch fallback) Cloves are intense; start at half and add more after the first taste test.

Choose the substitute that matches your recipe style: classic (mustard + dill seed + allspice) vs. sweet (add cinnamon/ginger).
Match the amount using the ratio for your closest option; if using an intense spice-only swap (like cloves), start at the reduced ratio.
If your substitute has whole spices, lightly crush them so the brine releases flavor faster.
Simmer or bloom the spices briefly in the brine (or pour over hot brine) to carry aroma into the jar.
Taste the brine after blooming; adjust with a pinch of pepper for bite or a tiny pinch of sugar for sweetness balance.

Whole-spice swaps bloom slower than ground mixes—crush or simmer briefly for best flavor.
If the swap includes cinnamon/ginger or cloves, use the listed reduced ratio to avoid overpowering.

Let us know how it was!