12 Best Substitutes for Capers

Capers may enhance the flavor of several dishes, and they have a distinct flavor that can be difficult to replicate. If you don’t have these pickled berries on hand, you can use several potential substitutes to make your favorite dish. Green olives, kalamata olives, lemon, pickles, lime, green peppercorns, thyme, artichoke hearts, anchovies, nasturtium seeds, vinegar, red or white wine are all common caper alternatives. Let’s take a closer look at each substitute in the list below!

Depending on the recipe, you can use the following caper replacements. It will significantly assist you in determining how much of the replacement you can use and whether or not you enjoy its flavor.

1. Green Olives

Green olives are an excellent alternative for capers. Green olives have a salty, oily, and acidic flavor that reminds me of capers. You’ll need one green olive instead of two capers if you use green olives. No one will be able to tell if you used green olives instead of capers, and your meal will still be tasty and flavorful.

2. Kalamata Olives

The famed Kalamata olives are another excellent caper replacement. Kalamata olives have an acidic, oily, and savory flavor similar to green olives. That is to say; you will like it in your recipes. Keep in mind that these olives have a deeper tint, which will change the color of your cuisine. Chop them how you want them to be for your dish. The proportion is determined by the size of the olives used. The rule of thumb here is still two capers for one olive.

3. Lemon

It may come as a surprise, but you may also use lemon in place of capers. You can use lemon juice, but you may need to add some pulp if you want some texture. Lemon adds a slightly extra acidity to capers, but you may use less of it if you don’t want such a strong flavor. When replacing capers with lemon, you’ll have to go by your particular taste preferences.

4. Pickles

If your recipe calls for capers, but you don’t have any on hand, pickles can come to the rescue. Depending on your tastes and the texture you desire in your cuisine, you may use a variety of pickled vegetables. Because pickles are crunchier than capers, the texture of your cuisine will alter. You’ll also need to cut the pickles into the desired size for your recipe. Use as many pickles as you wish in terms of ratio, as not all of them have the same acidity level.

5. Lime juice

You can use lime juice in the same manner that lemon juice is. On the other hand, lime has a distinct flavor than lemon and is more bitter than capers. You may also use the lime pulp depending on the recipe, but keep the seeds out of your meal. To acquire the acidity of capers or something similar, use as much lime juice as you wish.

6. Green Peppercorns

If you have green peppercorns on hand, you may substitute them for capers. Green peppercorns are an excellent replacement for capers since they are not as hot as black peppercorns and have a softer flavor. They also have a similar appearance and can help you preserve the aesthetic of your final meal. You can substitute green peppercorns for capers in the same amount. They’ll be perfect in any dish that calls for capers.

7. Thyme

Capers can be effectively substituted with thyme. You don’t want to use too much of this substitute since it will give your cuisine a stronger flavor. On the other hand, thyme has a lemony taste and bitterness similar to capers. Because the flavor of dried thyme is so much stronger than fresh thyme, you’ll want to use even less of it. Instead of capers, you can substitute thyme; this works best in prepared recipes when capers aren’t the primary element.

9. Artichoke hearts

If you can find artichoke hearts, you’ll be happy to discover that you may use them in place of capers in a variety of meals. Artichoke hearts aren’t always available at every store, but you might be able to buy them in larger supermarkets. Depending on where you can acquire artichoke hearts, you can use them pickled or marinated. Rinse and chop them to size before using them in place of capers in your recipes.

9. Anchovies

We all know how different anchovies and capers are. However, you’ll be surprised at how effectively anchovies can substitute for capers in nearly any meal. The only thing to bear in mind while using this thin fish is that you will use a lot less of it than capers. Anchovies are fatty, salty, and have a strong fish flavor. Anchovies may be used in various cuisines, including cooked dishes, sauces, and salads, depending on your preferences. Also, remember that anchovies can dissolve when cooked, so they will not provide the same texture to your cuisine as capers.

10. Nasturtium seeds

When making a dish that asks for capers, nasturtium seeds might come in handy. However, because this option is much harder to come by, you might not be able to buy it in your local supermarket. These spicy seeds are pickled in a jar or a can, and you may eat them right out of the container. Use these seeds in place of capers in any dish and keep the same amount.

11. Vinegar

If you don’t have any capers, vinegar can help you rescue the day. Using vinegar instead of capers, you can expect more acidity and no lemony taste. You may use vinegar in the same way as lemon or lime juice, as long as you keep in mind that the flavors will change. You may use vinegar to provide a bitter and acidic flavor to various foods, from cooking to salads.

12. Wine (red or white)

If you don’t have any of the replacements listed in this advice, you might try substituting red or white wine for capers in your recipe. Wine will not have the same flavor as capers, but it will provide a fruity and acidic flavor to your meal that you will like. It’s important to remember that wine contains alcohol, so don’t use it in recipes for children or those who don’t want to consume alcoholic beverages.

Substitute for Capers in Pasta

Pasta with capers is a delectable meal that is one of Italy’s most popular. If you don’t have capers on hand, you can substitute anchovies. You may use anchovies in any form of pasta sauce, whether it’s a white sauce made with sour cream or yogurt or a red sauce made with tomato paste. You can use green or kalamata olives in various pasta recipes in place of capers. You will enjoy the outcomes if you use all of these alternatives according to your tastes. Even if you use a replacement for capers, you may prepare your pasta meal in the same manner.

Substitute for Capers in Piccata

Piccata is an Italian meal cooked with a special sauce and a specific type of meat, such as chicken or beef. Lemon, capers, and butter are usually used in this sauce. What if you don’t have any capers to create this sauce but still want to have a piccata? Green olives are a good substitute for capers in this scenario. Just avoid getting the whole green olives, as you’ll have to slice them anyhow. One olive will be enough for two capers because green olives are more significant than capers. Chop them to your desired size and combine them with the remaining ingredients to make a delicious piccata sauce.

Substitute for Capers in Tartar Sauce

If you enjoy tartar sauce, usually prepared with capers, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can create it even if you don’t have any. You may substitute dill pickles for capers if you want a flavorful tartar sauce. By substituting pickles for capers, you may prepare your sauce as usual. To utilize the pickles in the sauce, make sure they are sliced to an insufficient size.

Is it possible to leave capers out of a recipe?

If you don’t have capers on hand, the last thing you should do is leave them out of your recipe. If you don’t have this ingredient on hand, use one of the replacements listed in this guide. Capers provide a unique taste to any cuisine, whether it’s a cooked dish, a sauce, a salad, or a pasta topping. Because they have such a powerful flavor, your supper will be incomplete without them. However, you may always swap one of the replacements above for capers to get a flavor near the original as possible.

What does a caper taste like?

Capers have an intriguing taste that is difficult to duplicate. You’ll find them to be salty, sour, and acidic. They have a light herbal flavor that lends character to whatever meal you use them. On the other hand, Capers are pickled in vinegar, brine, or salt to get this flavor. If you choose to consume raw capers, be prepared for a harsh flavor that is nothing like the capers found in vinegar brines.

Conclusion

Capers may enhance the flavor of any meal in which they are used. That isn’t to say you can’t utilize something else instead. You will not be disappointed if you use any of the replacements in this guide. They have a similar flavor to your food and, in some cases, even a similar texture.