The spice bag is a small sack that contains spices and herbs that are used to add flavor to sauces, soups, stocks, and casseroles.
The spice bags are like tea bags, so you can add them to the food, and once the desired flavor is achieved, you can take out the spice bag and discard it. However, spice bags aren’t very common, which is why we are recommending some alternatives!
Best Spice Bag Substitutes
1. Tea Bags
Since spice bags are similar to tea bags, you can use them to add flavor to the food without actually adding spices and herbs. To use a tea bag, you have to open it, take out the tea leaves, fill it with spices or herbs, and close it.
You can use kitchen twine to knot the tea bag. There are reusable tea bags available in the market, which can be filled with spices and herbs, tightened with strings, and put in the food (they are washable).
2. Fine Mesh Sieve
A fine mesh sieve is one of the most effective ways of infusing flavor into the food. To use a fine mesh sieve, you have to add spices to the conical mesh pocket and put the sieve in the food.
However, you must purchase a mesh sieve with a long handle, so you can control the mesh sieve and prevent it from falling into the cooking pot.
The fine mesh sieve is actually easy to use and can be reused. The only problem is that the mesh sieve can be hard to clean but using steel wool helps.
3. Dish Towel
A dish towel is usually used for drying the dishes. However, you can also use it to replace a spice bag. For this purpose, you have to put spices or herbs in the central part of the dish towel and make a bag by folding the corners.
Then, just wrap a string around the dish towel, add it to the food, and leave it in for a few minutes, so the flavors can be released.
Once done, you can take out the folded dish towel and wash it. A dish towel can trap the finest spices and herbs, so they won’t appear in the food. However, keep in mind that the spices and herbs might stain the towel.
4. Cheesecloth
Cheesecloth is one of the most versatile fabrics that’s used for straining liquids when preparing cheese. However, it can be used in place of a spice bag as well.
To use the cheesecloth, just put spices in the middle part and pour your food over the spices. The cheesecloth can only be used for stocks and broths as they have a liquidy texture and can pass through the cheesecloth.
5. Metal Filters
Using a metal filter is an eco-friendly option as it is made from a fine mesh screen that can hold spices and herbs. When you add the herbs and spices, cover the top with aluminum foil.
You have to make sure the foil is tightly wrapped around the filter’s edges to make sure the spices/herbs don’t fall into the food.
6. Cotton Sock
If you have a clean cotton sock, it can be used in place of a spice bag. For this purpose, you have to place the spices or herbs in the sock, wrap a rubber band around the opening to close it, and put it in the food (make sure the rubber band is clean).
The cotton socks are reusable, so just wash the sock and use it again.
7. Butter Muslin
Butter muslin is commonly used to strain the stock and drain buttermilk from milk. It has a fine and thin weave, which prevents the herbs and spices from falling into the food.
To use it in place of a spice bag, just add spices in the center and use a rubber band to tie it. Then, add the wrapped butter muslin to the cooking pot. Also, the butter muslin can be reused.
8. Tin Foil
Another option is to use tin foil in place of a spice bag (you can also use aluminum foil). So, just cut down a big square aluminum sheet, add your desired herbs, and clump it together.
In addition, you will have to use a needle to make small holes in the area where you’ve added herbs and put it in the pan. However, make sure you fold the aluminum or tin foil tightly to make sure it doesn’t open accidentally.
The Bottom Line
A spice bag is a reliable way of flavoring your food without having to strain sprigs and leaves. However, if you don’t have access to spice bags or spice sachets, you can try any substitute mentioned in this article.