Make Five-Spice Powder at Home (Easy)

By Sarah Johnson · October 4, 2026

Chinese Five-Spice from Scratch

Five-spice powder balances all five flavor categories in Chinese cuisine: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. Making it fresh produces an incomparably fragrant blend.

The Classic Five

Star anise (sweet, licorice-like) — 4 whole stars
Sichuan peppercorns (numbing, citrus) — 1 tablespoon
Cloves (warm, intense) — 1 teaspoon
Chinese cinnamon or cassia (sweet warmth) — 1 stick, broken
Fennel seeds (sweet, anise) — 1 tablespoon

Method

Toast all spices in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes
Cool completely (5 minutes)
Grind to fine powder in a spice grinder
Sieve through a fine mesh strainer

Variations

Add 1 teaspoon white pepper for extra heat
Include 1 teaspoon ground ginger for warmth
Try a pinch of cardamom for complexity

Uses

Rub on pork belly before roasting, add to stir-fry sauces, season roasted nuts, or sprinkle on fried rice. Store in an airtight jar for up to 3 months.