I have a recipe calling for juniper berries but none are available. Is there a good substitute or should I just skip it?

a Whole Foods Market Customer
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60 Comments

John S. December 21, 2020
I believe pine nuts maybe a good substitute. I know that costco carries them and you can find them in spice shops.
 
Maisie December 31, 2020
Thank you John
 
hawkster27 August 31, 2020
Here's a radical idea: Greek Retsina wine. It's white wine dosed with pine resin. Over the years, producers have reduced the resin considerably, but it's still there. You can read more about it here: http://winervana.com/kourtaki-retsina-of-attiki/
 
Liz B. January 14, 2018
Rosemary might be a substitute. It has a woodsy taste like juniper berries. But you would want to keep the rosemary in spice bag so it imparts its' flavor but doesn't wind up actually part of the dish. It might be too much.
 
GsR January 11, 2018
As gin’s basic flavor is juniper, perhaps a splash of gin? Either in the food or you. Either way wouldn’t hurt.
 
SA S. January 26, 2018
Agreed. I used 2 T of gin in my brine as it called for 12 juniper berries. My jackfruit is now brining away as we speak. Here's what I'm making. Tomorrow I get to put together and eat. I'm betting it will be a winner. Thank you, Sarah.

https://www.frieddandelions.com/corned-jackfruit/

 
Miss_Karen January 11, 2018
For the juniper berry hunters:
https://www.savoryspiceshop.com/
They ALWAYS have them. Additionally, Whole Foods has them too.
 
SCV November 12, 2017
If you have a evergreen tree or bush go out and get a sprig off the tree or bush and us it,since juniper berries are from the same family as the evergreens.
 
SCV November 12, 2017
If you have a evergreen tree or bush go out and get a sprig of the tree or bush and us it,sine juniper berries are from the same family as the evergreens.
 
Nancy November 12, 2017
Uh, do be careful - know what species you are taking, as some evergreens are POISONOUS to humans, esp children, and pets.
https://www.hunker.com/13427999/poisonous-evergreens
 
Mercedes T. August 11, 2017
amazon is the place to go for obscure items from food to spices,snd or condiments
 
Ljw C. January 7, 2017
Actually have a question to add. Since the juniper berries have a piney flavor, could I just crush green pine needles and put them in a mesh Spice Ball Herb Infuser? Has anyone tried this?
 
henry W. November 28, 2015
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Dea H. November 26, 2015
If you decide to add lavender, you might want to use Herbes de Provence. This is a traditional French spice blend, and I don't think it's at all potpourri-like. If you cannot find the spice blend (which includes lavender), you can make your own:

Herbes de Provence

4 tsp each dried thyme and marjoram
1 1/2 tsp summer savory
1/4 tsp dried rosemary and mint
1/8 tsp fennel seeds
Pinch each of dried sage and lavender flowers

This will keep for a long time in an airtight jar. The recipe makes enough to use for several recipes. It's an important ingredient in Chicken with Provençal Sauce, so I know it goes well with poultry, but it can also be used with lamb.
 
Christy November 26, 2015
I came to tho site with the same issue. There are none in my small Midwestern town till Christmas. I thought I had some left from prior years, but not. This is for a turkey brine recipe. I will add bay leaves etc. mentioned, don't know about the gin, but am wondering about adding some lavender sprigs. I have lavender plants. I believe they are in the same family as Rosemary. Anyone tried Lavender? Is it to potpourri fragranced for a brine? Thank you.
 
Nancy November 26, 2015
I think your instinct is right, that lavender has too much flowery (potpourri) fragrance for the purpose here. For a brine, you want some sharp, resiny (is that a word) flavors. I'm attaching a juniper brine recipe so you can see what other herbs & spices that cook uses. Hope it helps:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/juniper-brine-355429
 
Dea H. November 26, 2015
If you decide to add lavender, you might want to use Herbes de Provence. This is a traditional French spice blend, and I don't think it's at all potpourri-like. If you cannot find the spice blend (which includes lavender), you can make your own:

Herbes de Provence

4 tsp each dried thyme and marjoram
1 1/2 tsp summer savory
1/4 tsp dried rosemary and mint
1/8 tsp fennel seeds
Pinch each of dried sage and lavender flowers

This will keep for a long time in an airtight jar. The recipe makes enough to use for several recipes. It's an important ingredient in Chicken with Provençal Sauce, so I know it goes well with poultry, but it can also be used with lamb.
 
Jeremy C. November 7, 2015
Three year old question, but I believe Gin is a great alternative. I find juniper creates a bit of a medicine flavor, but the proper gin adds the right amount of "pine" to pork, beef, and lamb dishes. Someone mentioned to use any GIn, but I must say that Hendricks may be the best to cook with. Others seem to add more floral spices and Hendricks is a bit more piney than others...and it tastes great while cooking. A little bit goes a long way, so splurge on the Gin...avoid Bombay...its great to drink, but not to cook with IMHO.
 
Dea H. March 18, 2015
Check with your local health food store. They often have juniper berries in their bulk herb aisle.
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
Good idea!
 
Maisie March 19, 2015
Hi Dea,

Thank you for that idea - Brilliant! Found some in the local healthfood store this morning. I wouldn't normally think of looking there - my usual places are supermarkets, local market, etc. That was such a good idea - thanks so much!
 
Michele March 18, 2015
You probably will have made this already but maybe this will help?
http://www.realfoods.co.uk/product/16147/organic-juniper-berries
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
Are you suggesting that the spiced pickled onions could take the place of the juniper berries? Novel idea - may have to try it if I can't find the juniper berries in the health food shop. Incidentally, thanks for the new website you suggested - might find a whole new set of recipes there!
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
I quite like that idea the more I think about it - do you suppose chutney might be OK because I've never pickled anything before and they don't give quantities on that website (or suggest the spices that might be used). Thanks again.
 
Maedl March 18, 2015
Since you are in Britain, I am wondering if juniper berries may be known by a different name. It is odd that they are so hard to find, although, as you note, perhaps they are considered a seasonal food. If you have any junipers growing nearby that are not sprayed with chemicals, you could use the berries from the bush. Or you might try an apothecary to see if they have juniper oil. I would use just a drop of that, no more. Or try adding a spoon of pine honey to the dish. The sweetness will work with the venison, and you could still add a piney note to the stew.
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
Hello Maedl,

I've never come across pine honey! All sorts of honey, but not pine, but love the sound of it. Might try an apothecary (chemist to those of us in the UK!) and see if I get any joy out of that. I think juniper berries are not known by any other name - I have bought them before, dried, but don't think I've ever seen fresh ones, or a juniper tree! I'm going to be using a spoon of red currant jelly in the recipe, so will get the sweetness from that. Next thing is where to get a piney note from, as I wouldn't need both honey and the red currant jelly. By the time I make this, the recipe will be unique! But hey, I don't mind change if it turns out well. Thanks so much for taking the trouble to respond.
 
Maedl March 18, 2015
I just checked amazon.uk and they sell juniper berries--250 grams for £3.50. That's a lot of berries, but maybe you could plant some because it looks like junipers are not doing well in Britain--https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/learn/british-trees/native-trees/juniper/

I'd give the chemist/apothecary a try. I find all sorts of herbs and spices at my local apothecary in Germany--herbal medicine is very popular there--thankfully, because even things that I think of as common (i.e,, fennel seed) are hard to find in my town. I am even able to buy bitter almonds, albeit as a controlled substance, through the Apotheke.

Pine honey is popular in the Alps. It has a stronger flavor than most other honey and is made from the pollen from conifers.
 
Maisie March 19, 2015
Hello Maedl,

Thank you for the information on honey and the berries. I do like the idea of pine/conifer honey and if I ever see a jar of it, I'll buy some! Many thanks as well for the trouble you went to, to try and find the elusive juniper berries online. I'm amazed at the help I've received from people in America and Germany as well as the UK - so good of you all! I found some eventually at our local health food shop this morning, which is not the usual place I think of for spices and herbs, but they turned up trumps! So now I can start cooking! Incidentally, one thing we do have over here are fennel seeds! No problem finding those.

Thank you again all of you! I'm glad you made contact and your help and ideas have been super.
 
Maedl March 19, 2015
Good going! Let the cooking begin.

I wouldn't have thought fennel seed to be exotic in Germany--the bulb is easily found. I assumed that I could find the seeds in the grocery store spice rack. I got a nasty surprise and was lucky that I thought of the Apotheke. But that is in a small town where people are exceedingly resistent to trying new foods, much to the dismay of our local organic farmer, who loves to try growing various heritage vegetables. We've become buddies because he knows he can count on me to buy the weird stuff!
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
oops I meant no juniper trees!
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
Hello all,

The recipe is for venison casserole! One recipe has it marinating in wine and juniper berries, the other has no marinade, but still calls for juniper berries. I live in the UK. Absolutely no juniper berries here until Christmas time, and no juniper berries either!
Thanks so much for your ideas.
 
Nancy March 18, 2015
Maisie, just wondering, since the question started about 3 years ago, have you made the venison? what seasoning did you use? how did that turn out? If not yet made, please do tell us how you eventually cook it...Thanks, :)
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
Hi Nancy, Haven't made the venison recipe yet - will let you know how it turns out. The question that was raised 3 years ago wasn't mine - I kind of 'fell upon' this page when I was looking for a substitute for the juniper berries. Thanks so much for your suggestions.
 
Maisie March 19, 2015
Nancy - hi,

Just a thought - do you use star anise in savoury dishes? Pork maybe?

 
Nancy March 19, 2015
On star anise in savory dishes: yes, yes, yes. Alone or as part of Chinese 5-spice blend. Great in stir-fry dishes & on chicken. Also recommended for pork. Probably too strong for delicate fish but ok for seafood.
 
Maisie March 19, 2015
Thank you Nancy!
 
Nancy March 15, 2015
Bay leaf, clove and star anise are also from evergreens. they won't give the same taste as juniper, but an echo, or a family taste. Also - though not an evergreen - caraway seed is nice to use with or instead of juniper, especially in sauerkraut.
 
Maisie March 17, 2015
Thank you Nancy. Like the idea of cloves - presumably I should use all three together?
 
Nancy March 17, 2015
Maisie, hard to advise without knowing what the recipe is. If sweet, I would use EITHER the bay leaf (which is surprisingly good in sweet dishes) OR the clove & star anise. If savory, use one or more, according to what you have or like. Clove can overpower a dish, so I would start with very small amounts, cook, taste, adjust.
 
Maisie March 15, 2015
I've been looking for juniper berries too, for a venison casserole. Should I use gin or rosemary? I live in the UK and can't find any anywhere.
 
Michele March 17, 2015
Have you tried Sainsbury's? The juniper berries I have came from them.
 
Maisie March 18, 2015
Yes, I've tried Sainsbury's - none there!
 
paseo November 14, 2013
I live in coastal Maine and can find them at most grocers. If they are not available in your area, buy them online and keep some in the freezer.
 
dymnyno November 14, 2013
I don't think that I would sub gin for juniper berries because there are many flavors of gin, despite the common ingredient of juniper berry. Some are very floral and I have had gins that don't taste like "gin" at all. I think that rosemary is probably the closest herbal flavor to juniper.
 
Maedl November 14, 2013
I have never had a problem finding juniper berries in either the Midwest or Mid Atlantic--but if you can’t find them, you can certainly get them from Penzey’s or another on-line spice store. In my region, I find them at Safeway, Giant Wegman’s or Whole Foods. I am very surprised that they are so hard to find. If you want to use them for sauerkraut, I wouldn’t use rosemary--just doesn’t sound right to me with sauerkraut. On the other hand, if you do use it, provide a report!
 
Maedl November 15, 2013
I mean sauerbraten, not sauerkraut!
 
Pat November 14, 2013
Sorry to tell you Pierino but you're very wrong. Juniper berries are impossible to find in my area. I've been to Walmart super center and two major supermarkets in the northeast (shaws and hanaford) today as well as another small grocer and none of them carried juniper berries. Now I've wasted half my day and still haven't even stated my recipe. Thanks for sending me on a wild goose chase. Maybe you should check to make sure your advice is accurate next time because clearly they are NOT available in "virtually every major supermarket." I picked up caraway seeds and fresh rosemary to substitute. I'm making a brine for sauerbraten.
 
creamtea November 14, 2013
I'm sure pierino was trying to be helpful, not to send anyone on a wild goose chase. We all freely choose how we spend our day.
 
Maedl November 14, 2013
I missed the fact that you are making sauerbraten in my first reading of your note. I wouldn’t use either caraway or rosemary for sauerbraten. Perhaps add a spoonful of gin, or just omit the berries. They have a bitter, piney flavor, if that helps.
 
pierino November 14, 2013
I'm still perplexed by this because I can walk into an Albertsons, Safeway or Vons and ordinarily find at least two different lables of juniper berries for sale in the spice aisle; McCormick's, Schilling, Morton and Bassett. That said, Costco would not exactly be my first choice to shop for juniper berries.
 
Maedl July 5, 2013
Top dog, I think you need to hang around Food52 and get a feeling for the way we treat each other here. Your response is just a bit out of line.
 
paseo July 5, 2013
Great response to an unnecessary comment. Bravo.
 
Oberstdackel July 5, 2013
Have you thought perhaps where she lives there is no demand for Juniper Berries and accordingly the supermarkets stock none. Perhaps there are no suppliers of Juniper berries as they are more expensive to import than recouped through sales?
Maybe in her region there are no juniper berries as these are a seasonal northern hemisphere plant that grow only in certain climactic conditions?
Actually- you're the kind of simpleton who'd be surprised each time they saw the "welcome" on their doormat.
The world is a little larger than the USA. Thank God.
 
ALICE P. January 10, 2018
You have some valid observations/questions. However we could have lived without the comment regarding the welcome mat. You may want to review the reminder question on this website regarding whether you are"channeling your best self?" You may not be violating the code of conduct, but I really hope you have a kinder, gentler self and that you choose to share your better self next time. Thank you for considering my recommendation.
 
pierino May 29, 2012
Actually I'm surprised at the difficulty of finding juniper berries. They are available in the spice shelves of virtually every major supermarket under various major brands.
 
Beanwean February 22, 2015
Funny, I've been to several of my "major" supermarkets in the Seattle area and can't find juniper berries anywhere. I finally popped down to Market Spice and bought some there, but I can assure you they were not on the shelf at Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Safeway, Trader Joe's, or Thriftway.
 
Maedl May 29, 2012
Is the recipe for sauerkraut? If so, you could omit the berries or use caraway instead.
 
boulangere May 28, 2012
Do you have a juniper tree or bush nearby? Fresh ones are just budding here.
 
SKK May 28, 2012
You can use gin - doesn't have to be expensive gin or rosemary sprigs or bay leaf. Amounts below

1 tsp. of gin per 2 berries
8 berries = 1 tsp. crushed
Fresh rosemary sprigs – one sprig for every four berries
Single crushed bay leaf = six juniper berries
 
Amanda H. May 28, 2012
You can probably skip it -- I'm curious what the recipe is though; might be easier to think of a substitute for it. Let us know!
 
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