7 Ways to Use Star Anise in Your Kitchen

Star anise, with its distinctive star-shaped pods and warm, licorices-like flavour, is a staple in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. This spice not only adds depth to dishes but also boasts numerous health benefits, including aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting immunity. If you’ve got a jar of star anise sitting in your spice rack, here are seven delicious ways to use it in your cooking in greater detail.

1. Infuse It in Tea and Beverages

Star anise is a wonderful addition to tea and warm beverages. Simply steep a pod or two in hot water along with other spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to create a soothing spiced tea. It also pairs well with black tea, chai, and mulled wine, adding a rich, aromatic depth to your drink.

For a winter warmer, try making star anise-spiced hot chocolate by adding a pod to your milk while heating it, letting the licorices-like flavour infuse before mixing in the cocoa. Similarly, adding a pod to your morning coffee grounds can create a subtly spiced brew that pairs beautifully with cream and sugar.

Beyond traditional teas, you can incorporate star anise into homemade syrups for cocktails or infused water. Try making a star anise and honey syrup to drizzle over iced tea or lemonade. Star anise can also be used in fermentation, such as adding it to kombucha or infused vinegars, lending a unique depth to your homemade beverages.

2. Enhance Soups and Broths

A key ingredient in pho, the famous Vietnamese noodle soup, star anise provides a sweet and slightly spicy undertone to broths. Toss a couple of pods into your homemade chicken, beef, or vegetable broth while simmering, then remove before serving for an enhanced, deeply aromatic flavour.

In Chinese and Thai cuisine, star anise is often used in combination with ginger, garlic, and lemongrass in broths to create complex layers of taste. It also works wonderfully in slow-simmered bone broth, infusing the liquid with a warm, almost floral aroma that deepens over time. Try adding star anise to French onion soup or even a hearty lentil soup to experience how this spice can transform simple flavours.

Star anise can also be used in creamy bisques and chowders, adding a subtle background warmth that complements ingredients like coconut milk or roasted tomatoes. A seafood bisque infused with star anise can take on a delicate balance of sweet and savoury flavours, creating a gourmet experience at home.

3. Elevate Meat and Poultry Dishes

Star anise pairs exceptionally well with meat, particularly pork and duck. In Chinese cuisine, it is commonly used in braised dishes like red-cooked pork belly. The spice helps tenderise meat and infuses it with an irresistible, slightly sweet aroma when slow-cooked.

A simple way to incorporate star anise into meat dishes is by creating a marinade. Mix crushed star anise with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and a splash of rice wine vinegar to make a flavourful marinade for chicken, ribs, or even tofu. It also works well in slow-cooked lamb or beef stews, adding a richness that enhances the overall dish.

For a more experimental approach, try roasting a whole chicken with star anise, orange zest, and cloves for a fragrant, spiced flavour. Adding a star anise pod to your barbecue rub or grilling marinade can also infuse your meats with a smoky-sweet taste that pairs beautifully with charred flavours.

4. Spice Up Your Desserts

While typically used in savoury dishes, star anise also shines in desserts. Add a pod to rice pudding, poached pears, or spiced apple compote for a subtle warmth. Ground star anise can also be incorporated into cookies, cakes, and gingerbread for a unique twist on classic baked goods.

For a decadent treat, try making star anise-infused caramel by adding a crushed pod to your sugar while melting it. This creates a warm, spiced caramel perfect for drizzling over ice cream, cakes, or pancakes. You can also blend star anise with nutmeg and cinnamon to create a spice mix that enhances fruit pies, banana bread, and even spiced whipped cream.

Consider making homemade ice cream with star anise and cardamom for an exotic twist. Star anise also pairs well with chocolate-based desserts, enhancing the depth of flavour in brownies, truffles, and hot fudge sauces. It can even be used to flavour homemade jams and preserves, particularly those featuring stone fruits like plums, peaches, or cherries.

5. Craft Homemade Spice Blends

Star anise is a crucial component of Chinese five-spice powder, which also includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, and Sichuan peppercorns. You can make your own spice blends by grinding star anise and combining it with other aromatic spices to use as a rub for meats or seasoning for stir-fries.

Try blending star anise with cumin, coriander, and black pepper for a versatile spice mix that works well on roasted vegetables, lentil dishes, and even popcorn. It also pairs beautifully with curry powder, making it a great addition to homemade Indian spice mixes.

For a festive twist, create a holiday spice mix with star anise, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg. This blend works well for holiday baking, spiced cider, or even sprinkled over roasted nuts for a flavourful snack. Star anise can also be used in DIY chai blends or masala spice mixes, perfect for enhancing both sweet and savoury dishes.

6. Infuse Oils and Syrups

For a hint of exotic flavour, try infusing star anise into oils, syrups, or honey. Simply heat a neutral oil with a few pods of star anise to create a fragrant cooking oil for stir-fries and marinades. Similarly, star anise-infused simple syrup can be used to sweeten coffee, cocktails, and desserts.

For a gourmet touch, create a star anise-infused honey by simmering honey with crushed star anise pods and letting it cool before straining. This spiced honey pairs well with cheese boards, toast, or yogurt parfaits. Likewise, star anise-infused maple syrup adds a delightful twist to pancakes, waffles, and French toast.

Try making a star anise and vanilla-infused cream or milk to use in baking and beverages. This infused dairy can enhance puddings, lattes, or custards, providing a rich and aromatic depth to your favourite recipes.

7. Add Depth to Curries and Stews

Star anise is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern curries to balance bold, spicy flavours. It complements ingredients like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, adding a subtle sweetness to slow-cooked dishes. Try adding a pod to your next batch of lamb curry or lentil stew for an extra layer of complexity.

It’s also a fantastic addition to hearty vegetable stews and bean dishes. When cooking with chickpeas, lentils, or kidney beans, adding a star anise pod while the dish simmers infuses it with a deep, earthy sweetness that balances strong spices like cumin and chilli.

Star anise can also be incorporated into Mediterranean and African spice blends used in tagines and slow-cooked dishes. Adding a pod to a Moroccan-style stew with apricots, cinnamon, and harissa can create a stunningly complex balance of flavours.

With its rich aroma and versatility, star anise is an essential spice for any home cook. Whether you're making a comforting bowl of soup, a fragrant cup of tea, or a spiced dessert, this star-shaped gem can elevate your culinary creations. Give these ideas a try and let star anise bring warmth and depth to your dishes. Happy cooking!