9 ways to use 5 spice powder

Since I just shared a recipe for a 5 spice powder home blend, followed by a tau yew bak recipe (pork braised in soy sauce and 5 spice powder), it seems only natural to follow up with a post on how to use 5 spice powder. After all, it’s not one of the most commonly used spices in the kitchen, so you may need some inspiration! 🙂 I often do!

Snack recipes that call for 5 spice powder

Sweet and spicy peanuts made with 5 spice powder

A healthy(ish) and delicious snack

Check out this recipe

How to use 5 spice: vegan recipes

5 spice powder is most traditionally used with meat- especially pork- so I specifically decided to include a vegan section for this list!

Vegan bao with a mushrooms in 5-spice powder filling

5 Spice powder also goes really well with mushrooms, which make up the filling of these scrumptious Chinese baos

Check out this recipe

Vegan dan dan mian (noodles)

Mushrooms are the typical substitute for pork in vegan Chinese dishes so, as with the previous recipe, this vegan dan dan mian also comprises mushrooms in a savoury and unctuous 5 spice powder sauce.

Check out this recipe

Meat recipes that use 5 spice powder

Home roasted char siew or Chinese BBQ pork

In Singapore, the most popular cut for char siu is pig armpit- doesn’t sound appetising, but it has the perfect blend of fat and meat, making for heavenly BBQ pork. I’m not sure what the English term for it is, but I guess pork shoulder, as called for in this recipe, is a close second!

Check out this recipe

Chicken thighs baked with honey, soy and 5 spice powder

If the salmon meatballs weren’t quite your thing, these chicken thighs are marinated with a similar sauce and just as tasty!

Check out this recipe

Taiwanese popcorn chicken

One of the most popular snacks at Taiwanese night markets, these little morsels of crunchy goodness are a must add to your weekly menu! (Or perhaps fortnightly, since fried foods aren’t the healthiest!)

Check out this recipe

Salmon meatballs with honey, soy and 5 spice powder

A healthy and delicious recipe, 5 spice powder is more commonly used with pork so fish makes a light and refreshing change!

Check out this recipe

5 spice powder in sweet foods

Definitely the most intriguing 5 spice powder recipes that I came across were the chocolate and 5 spice powder ones. I’ve only included 1- the chocolate rolls below- as it seems that you can just use the same 5 spice powder-chocolate proportions in your other dessert recipes and experiment from there! Have you eaten any 5 spice powder desserts before?

PS If you’re not a chocolate fan, Gary Jones (who works with Raymond Blanc) has kindly shared a mulled wine fruits and ice cream recipe that uses 5 spice powder, courtesy of the Great British Chefs website.

Chocolate rolls seasoned with 5 spice powder

I’ve seen a couple of chocolate recipes that use 5 spice powder – it’s a flavour combination I’ve never tried but, as a chocoholic, couldn’t not include this 5-starred recipe! Can’t wait to try it!

Check out this recipe