Our star anise recipes highlight the spice’s complex, warming, licorice-like flavor in hearty soups, braises, cozy baked goods and drinks.
1/14
Braised Corned Beef
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll need a bit of time to prepare this braised corned beef, but the end results make all that time worth it. Cook this for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration or for an extra-special meal. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked beef: 194 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 938mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein.
2/14
Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
From the Recipe Creator:
Pho is one of Vietnam's most well-known dishes. For many families, the cooking of the dish is a true labor of love and care. With its aromatic broth, slurpable rice noodles and many delicious garnish options, it is very easy to customize a bowl to suit your tastes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup noodles with 3/4 cup broth and 4 ounces cooked beef: 507 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1351mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 44g protein.
3/14
Grandma's Christmas Spice Cutouts
From the Recipe Creator:
My great-grandmother made these, and the tradition was passed down in the family—without a written recipe! My mother would always start them the day after Thanksgiving, which was exciting for us kids, as we knew Christmas wasn’t far off. They are easy to decorate with family; my grandchildren always look forward to them.—Elaine Phelps, Cornell, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 109 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.
4/14
Slow-Cooker Pear Butter
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a tasty spread for toast, muffins, biscuits or any of your favorite breads. It is easy to make and has a rich pear flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise, and lemon. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 41 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
5/14
Thai Iced Tea
From the Recipe Creator:
Thai iced tea blends the beautiful flavors of warm spices with black tea. Change the sweetness intensity with your chosen milk—sweetened condensed milk provides a sweeter sip, while half-and-half creates a balanced taste. —Cathy Trochelman, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 188 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
6/14
Fig and Goat Cheese Air-Fried Meatballs
From the Recipe Creator:
Around the holidays, saucy cocktail meatballs are always the first appetizer from the buffet to be eaten. In this dish, the sweet flavor of the fig sauce goes perfectly with the savory pork and tangy goat cheese. —Kim Banick, Turner, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 97 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
7/14
Pickled Apples
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy pickled apples are perfect alongside a pork entree or salad, or with a charcuterie cheese board. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 36 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 25mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
8/14
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This slow-cooker soup is a semi-homemade version that coaxes all the flavor out of a rotisserie chicken. The prep work for this can be done the day before so you can toss it into the slow cooker with ease. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2-1/2 cups (calculated without optional toppings): 398 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 1321mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.
9/14
Garam Masala
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for an easy and authentic garam masala recipe, I’ve got you covered. This spice blend—typically made with about 10 different ingredients—comes together in just a few minutes, and will bring out the best aromas and flavors in your Indian-inspired dishes. —Anvita Mistry, Erlangen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 30 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
10/14
Apple Tea
From the Recipe Creator:
A sweet and herbal tea brings coziness using natural ingredients straight from an apple. With a hint of spice from star anise and cinnamon, it’s comfort in a cup. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
11/14
Chinese Beef Noodle Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This peppercorn-infused beef soup is brimming with comfort and spice and classic Chinese ingredients: ginger root, star anise, chili bean paste and Szechuan chiles. Serve this piping hot with noodles and a scattering of freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. —Tria Wen, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 512 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 1963mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 35g protein.
12/14
Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
From the Recipe Creator:
Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely. —Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without whipped cream and blackberries): 295 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
13/14
Pickled Grapes
From the Recipe Creator:
Most people don't think about grapes when creating a canned pickle recipe. The pickling liquid for these grapes includes red wine, vinegar and common pickling spices like coriander, mustard seeds and hot pepper; it also contains warm spices like cinnamon and star anise along with brown sugar. These flavor-packed grapes are unique and delicious on a fab antipasto, pickle or cheese tray. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 32 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
14/14
Blushing Grapefruit Sorbet
From the Recipe Creator:
Not overly sweet, this sorbet is a hit at the holidays, when there’s plenty of citrus fruit on hand. Try it as a light, summer refresher, too. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 188 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
Star Anise Recipes FAQ
What dishes can I use star anise in?
Star anise works beautifully in both sweet and savory recipes. It adds depth to soups and stews with rich broths and tender meat, such as pho or a simple chicken noodle soup and enhances rice dishes, like biryani. For dessert, add it to the poaching liquid for fruit, spice cookie doughs, rice puddings or fruity sorbet bases. Use whole star anise pods for slow-cooked recipes, so the flavor can gradually infuse into the dish and ground star anise, which is more potent, for quick preparations.
How do I properly store star anise?
Store star anise in an airtight container, away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight, such as a pantry or kitchen cabinet. Whole star anise lasts up to four years, while ground star anise is best used within six months. Spices don’t expire, but they will lose flavor and intensity over time. Refrigerating the spice is not recommended, as it can become tasteless or spoil.
What flavors pair well with star anise?
Star anise is a natural partner to other versatile, aromatic, warm spices, like cloves, cardamom, fennel, ginger and cinnamon. The deep flavor also complements fresh produce and herbs, like citrus, fennel, mint and cilantro, and umami-rich condiments like soy sauce, coconut aminos and fish sauce.
