Check out this list of delicious Chinese Five Spice Recipes! You’ll love having a simple weeknight dinner with so many great options.
The best part about using this spice is that you can see its versatility. The flavor is going to be unlike anything that you’ve ever tried!

Whether you’re a fan of heat or sweet, any of these simple dinner recipes using Chinese Five Spice will surely be a hit.
What can I use Chinese Five Spice for?
Chinese Five Spice is a versatile seasoning that uniquely flavors various dishes. This blend typically includes a mix of savory spices such as cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, cloves, and Szechuan peppercorns.
Combining these spices creates a savory and flavorful profile perfect for marinating meat, seasoning stir-fries, and adding flavor to soups.
It can also be used as a seasoning for roasted vegetables or blended into sauces and dips.
Chinese five spice works well with savory and sweet dishes, making it a versatile addition to any spice collection.
If you want to spice up your cooking and add some delicious depth of flavor, give Chinese 5 Spice a try. With its unique combination of spices, it’s sure to impress even the most discerning palate.
What does Chinese five spice powder taste like?
Chinese five spice powder is a versatile and flavorful blend of spices commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
Comprised of cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel seed, and Szechuan peppercorns, its taste profile can be described as savory and sweet, with notes of warmth and spice.
It can add depth and richness to the overall flavor when used in dishes. Some dishes that commonly use Chinese five spice powder include roast meats, stir-fries, and soups.
Despite its name, it is not limited to Chinese cuisine and can be used in various dishes to add unique and complex flavors.
How do you counteract too much five spice?
Five Spice is a wonderful blend of spices that uniquely flavors any dish. However, sometimes we may add too much five spice, and the overwhelming flavor can ruin the entire meal.
The good news is that there are a few ways to counteract too much five spice.
One option is to balance the flavor with acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar. Another option is to add some sweetness with sugar, honey, or even orange juice.
If the dish can handle it, diluting it with a little water can also help tone down the flavor. Additionally, adding more of the other ingredients in the dish can help to balance out the five-spice flavor.
Remember, it’s all about experimentation and finding what works best for your dish. Don’t be afraid to try different methods until you find the perfect solution to counteract too much five spice.
Does 5 Spice taste like licorice?
5 Spice is a unique blend of spices commonly used in Chinese cuisine. Although it contains licorice root, 5 Spice does not taste solely like licorice.
The spice blend typically includes star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, and licorice.
Combining these ingredients results in a complex, sweet, savory flavor profile.
While you may detect hints of licorice, it is not overpowering and blends seamlessly with the other spices. Overall, 5 Spice is a versatile and delicious seasoning that adds depth and complexity to many dishes.
25+ Chinese Five Spice Recipes
This is one mega list of yummy options! Work your way down and find one that calls your name. Then be sure to come back and tell me which one you chose!
25+ Chinese Five Spice Recipes
These Chinese Five Spice Recipes will have you craving more of that delicious flavor!
Add this seasoning to any of your recipe needs!
This quick and easy air fryer recipe is fuss-free and a quick and delicious Chinese food recipe you can make at home.
This pork belly is super juicy, and tender, with a great crunchy exterior.
Enjoy fake takeout right in your home with this easy Chinese-inspired chicken recipe.
This feijoa chutney is loaded full of flavors that pair wonderfully with cheese.
This BBQ Asian pork is a great crowd-pleasing recipe and full of amazing flavor. The classic sweet and spicy mix is a great slow cooker recipe whenever you need it.
You can make your own bao buns at home with this easy recipe! They’re light and fluffy yet soft and sweet.
This pork belly, slowly braised in honey soy sauce with ginger and other aromatics, produces tender and juicy meat with a crispy crackling. Absolutely mouthwatering and so easy to make!
5 Spice Meatloaf with Apricot Ginger Glaze is a make-over of an old classic that’s a delicious kid-friendly comfort food dinner!
A tasty, make-ahead meal of slow-cooked saucy Chinese beef. Perfect when you're cooking for a crowd!
Chicken seasoned with Chinese five-spice and fried with onions, peppers, and garlic makes this salt and pepper chicken recipe a tasty weeknight dinner. I mean what is better than a meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes?
These salt and pepper chips make a fantastic spicy side dish - crispy chips tossed together with Chinese five-spice, garlic, and chilies.
This stir fry is made with lean grass-fed steak, broccoli, and peppers and it has a sugar-free and gluten-free five-spice sauce that will tickle your taste buds. It’s paleo and whole 30 approved!
This Shrimp Fried Rice recipe comes together in less than thirty minutes and tastes so much better than takeout. I love to serve it with Sweet Pork Dumplings and Crab Rangoon. Be sure to read my helpful tips on making this recipe.
This Tofu Burger would not be so flavorful without this aromatic Chinese BBQ marinade using Chinese 5 spice and other simple yet delicious ingredients.
Delicious and healthy air-fried chicken wings are a combination that really speaks to me! My adaptation of Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken wings is easy to make and a unique flavor combination that you just have to try
This homemade crispy pork belly recipe will show you how to make such perfectly golden, crackling skin of a roast pork belly every time with a secret step.
Air fryer boneless beef ribs are quick and easy to make. They are delicious and made with little effort but full of flavor thanks to the use of Chinese 5 Spice.
Crispy seasoned tofu tossed in a sweet, sticky, spicy, tangy, and fragrant five-spice sauce. It's quick and easy to make and so delicious!
These lightly coated squash nuggets make the best taco filling. They are breaded with almond flour and Chinese 5 spice blend for seriously delicious flavor.
Jerk chicken drumsticks are deliciously spicy and flavorful. They're easy to make and economical, too.
Jerk chicken salad is a delicious full meal. The chicken is marinated in jerk seasonings and grilled along with fresh pineapple before topping fresh vegetables.
This chewy ginger molasses cookies recipe is easy to make and creates soft cookies with a hint of five-spice and vanilla flavor. They are fantastic on their own, and absolutely to die for when paired up with ice cream and made into an ice cream sandwich!
A cross between a roasted chicken & Peking duck, this Peking chicken recipe is for days when you have that craving for a Peking duck but chicken is all you have to work with
These chicken wings, cooked in an air fryer, are coated in a sticky Asian sauce and boast crispy skin as well as a sweet and tangy glaze with a touch of spice.
This healthy and flavorful chicken dinner recipe is a delicious addition to your meal plan. It’s filling, packed with veggies, and great for those who love meal prep too!
Out of this list of recipes using Chinese Five Spice, which one do you want to make first?