How to Substitute with Anise Extract

Anise, commonly used for adding licorice flavor to cooked dishes, baked goods, and beverages, gets its distinctive taste from a naturally occurring compound called anethole. This compound is also found star anise, fennel, and licorice root, all of which carry the same flavor. Because there are so many different ingredients that feature the same base flavor, it is easy to substitute anise extract for similarly flavored products to create authentic flavor profiles in cooking, baking, and beverages.

Substitute Anise Extract for Anise-Flavored Liqueurs

You can substitute 1 teaspoon anise extract for 1-2 tablespoons of any anise-flavor or licorice-flavored liqueur or spirit, such as:

• Ouzo, Mastika, Tsipouro (Greece)
• Pastis, Absinthe, Pernod, Ricard (France)
• Anisette, Sambuca, Galliano, Anesone (Italy)
• Arak, Arrack (Lebanon / Middle East)
• Raki (Turkey)
• Aguardiente (Colombia)
• Chinchon, Anis del Toro, Patxaran (Spain)
• Jägermeister (Germany)
• Herbsaint (USA)

Anise Extract to Anise Seed Conversion

When substituting anise seed for star anise, use twice the amount of anise seed. For example, substitute 1 teaspoon of anise extract for 2 teaspoons of ground anise seed.

How Much Anise Extract Instead of Star Anise?

While they both deliver licorice flavor, star anise and anise are two different plants and are not related to each other. Star anise has a stronger flavor. When substituting anise extract for star anise, use 1 teaspoon of anise extract for 1 teaspoon of star anise. One star anise pod equals approximately 1 teaspoon anise extract.

How Much Anise Extract to Replace Ground Aniseed?

You can replace 2 teaspoons of ground anise seeds with 1 teaspoon of anise extract.

Can You Use Anise Extract to Replace Licorice Flavoring?

To substitute Anise Extract for Licorice Flavor, use 1 teaspoon of anise extract for 1 teaspoon of licorice extract.

What is an Anise Extract Substitute?

If you are all out of anise extract, you can substitute for it with the following:

• Use 1 teaspoon of licorice flavoring/extract for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.
• Replace 1 teaspoon of anise extract with 1 to 2 tablespoons of anise-flavored liqueur (Anisette, Pastis, Ouzo, Galliano, Sambuca).
• Substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground Chinese Five Spice for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.
• Substitute 2 teaspoons of ground anise seed for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.