Crocus sativus popularly known as saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spice. Saffron is comprised of the stigmas from the crocus sativus flower which are referred to as saffron threads. The spice is hand harvested and that is one of the reasons why it is such as expensive spice. It takes an estimated 13,125 threads to weigh one ounce of saffron. The spice can bring your dish to life with its vibrant reddish-orange colour, its musky, and astringent flavour profile, as well as its soul-warming aroma make it a delicious spice. Paella, bouillabaisse, risotto, and pilaf all benefit from the saffron spice. On the other hand, the scarcity of saffron makes it very expensive for some home cooks especially if you only need it for a few recipes. As such, it is common to shop around for saffron substitutes. Below is a list of some best alternatives to saffron spice which are also very affordable. It is important to note that these suggested options will not perfectly mimic the pungent, earthy taste of saffron spice.
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Turmeric
Turmeric is one of your best substitutes for saffron. It is referred to as the saffron of the Indies. Shonky spice merchants are known to lace saffron with turmeric to reduce their costs. If you are cooking a dish that needs colour, then turmeric is one of your best options. It is important to use turmeric sparingly as a backup ingredient though. Its acrid flavour will taste a little out of place when used in large quantities. You can also add a bit of Paprika to complement turmeric because it provides a more well-rounded flavour to your meal. For every quarter teaspoon of turmeric, use half a teaspoon of paprika to your dish. You can use the same ratio of turmeric for every dish that may require saffron.
Safflower
Another type of spice that you can use in place of saffron is safflower. As much as safflower sounds a lot like saffron, the two are actually from different families. Safflower does not give you the pungent flavour or aroma offered by saffron, but it provides a similar vibrant colour to your meal. To use safflower as a substitute for saffron use 5 to 8 times the amount of safflower to achieve a similar colour in slow-cooked seafood, soup, or any other savoury dish that uses liquid. Some stores may sell Mexican Saffron, which is made from safflower and is not that expensive. It is recommended to process this product in a spice grinder or food processor before adding it to your meal.
Mexican Saffron
Also similar to the saffron, Mexican saffron is a cheaper alternative to safflower and a also a good substitute for saffron. Known as Mexican saffron, this type of safflower is a close match to saffron in terms of its colour although the two ingredients come from different plants. As such, Mexican saffron does a good job as a saffron alternative when it comes to colouring your food. Keep in mind that the two ingredients do not taste exactly the same. To use Mexican saffron as a substitute for saffron, add an equivalent amount based on what the recipe states. It may a bit difficult to find the plant itself in stores, but some supermarkets like Whole Foods sometimes sell Mexican saffron seed oil.
Annatto
Also on our list of ideal substitutes for saffron is Annatto, which is known as poor man’s saffron but it makes an excellent saffron alternative. Annatto takes a little more work for you to use it. Simply add one teaspoon of annatto seeds to a quarter cup of water or vegetable oil and allow it to sit for 30 minutes or so. Thereafter, strain the liquid and use it in dishes like risotto or paella, or any other dish you may need.
Yellow Marigold Flowers
Yellow marigold flowers are also some of your best alternatives to use in place of saffron. The flowers are simple to grow, or you can buy a fully grown plant from a local plant shop. You simply pick off the petals and dry them in the microwave for an estimated 15 seconds at a time and then crush them into a powder using a mortar and pestle. You can use marigold flowers in any meal that calls for saffron for achieving a similar colour. You can also use equal quantities of this ingredient as a starting point then add more if needed.
Cardamom
Cardamom is another Indian spice that is often used in all kinds of meals, including sweet and savoury dishes. This spice has an earthy and sweet flavour that some may liken to mint and does not taste quite the same as saffron, but it can be used as a saffron substitute in certain meals. Some South Asian recipes, including pilaf, desserts, and tea, use both cardamom and saffron when preparing their meals. When substituting for saffron, add your cardamom slowly and taste your dish as you go. Keep in mind that you can add more if you do not have enough.
When it comes down to it, finding a saffron substitute is not that challenging, but you may struggle to find a precise match. The various options above should help you get close enough to selecting your best alternative. This is especially true for baked goods, where the flavour is not that prominent.
Spices offer a unique flavour and it is tough to substitute them with anything, saffron is no exception. If you require a substitute to provide your meal with colour, then turmeric, safflower, marigold flowers, or annatto are all affordable alternatives. If you need the colour, aromatics, and flavour of saffron, then your best option is to use saffron itself. The delicate threads of saffron may look expensive, but you can get a lot of use out of them if you let them steep overnight. It takes a long time for the flavour of saffron to release. By soaking them overnight, you can get away with using half the saffron that is required in your recipe.