Chinese 5 Spice

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Unlock the secret to bold, aromatic flavors with this homemade Chinese 5 Spice blend—a spice mix that’s as versatile as it is fragrant. Featuring a harmonious balance of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds, this blend embodies the essence of Chinese cuisine with its sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes. Toasted to perfection and ground into a fine powder, this DIY spice mix elevates stir-fries, marinades, roasted meats, and even baked goods with its distinctive taste. Ready in just 15 minutes, this kitchen staple is fresher and more flavorful than store-bought versions. Store it in an airtight container for up to six months, and enjoy an authentic taste of China in every pinch! Perfect for those looking to expand their spice collection or try their hand at creating traditional Asian flavors at home.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 5 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Servings: 10 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

5 items

• 5 whole pieces Star anise
• 1 teaspoon Cloves
• 1 stick (2 inches long) Cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon Fennel seeds

📝 Instructions

7 steps

1. Place a dry skillet over medium heat and allow it to warm for 1-2 minutes.

2. Add the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds to the skillet. Toast the spices for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until aromatic. Avoid burning the spices.

3. Remove the toasted spices from the skillet and let them cool for 5 minutes.

4. Transfer the spices to a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle.

5. Grind the mixture into a fine powder. If using a coffee grinder or spice grinder, pulse in short bursts for even grinding.

6. Once ground, sift the spice blend through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any large, unground pieces. Discard the larger bits, or return them to the grinder for additional processing.

7. Store the Chinese 5 Spice blend in an airtight container, such as a small glass jar, and keep it in a cool, dry place. The blend keeps well for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (3.8g)

Calories		11
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		0.2 g	0%
	Saturated Fat	0.0 g	0%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		0 mg	0%
Sodium		2 mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate		2.5 g	1%
	Dietary Fiber	1.1 g	4%
	Total Sugars	0.1 g
Protein		0.3 g	1%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		19 mg	1%
Iron		0.4 mg	2%
Potassium		29 mg	1%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17 cal (13.2%%)

Protein: 11 cal (9.0%%)

Carbs: 100 cal (77.8%%)