
Looking for an alternative to Caper Berries? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Caper Berries substitutes.
What are Caper Berries?
Caper Berries are the edible fruit from the Caper Bush. They are preserved in either salt or vinegar and eaten in their delicious pickled form. The flavour is slightly floral with a salty briney tang.
Capers are the actual flowers from the caper bush. The flowers are smaller and have a milder flavour.
Simple Caper Berries Substitutes
1. Olives
While olives tend to be stronger and of course more ‘olive-y’ they will work in most cases where caper berries are used. Green olives are a closer match than black.
2. Gerkins or Cornichons
Diced cornichons or gerkins or even dill pickles will provide a little burst of punchy flavour that can work well to replace your caper berries.
3. Capers
If you do happen to have regular capers (the flowers), they can be used to replace the caper berries. You’ll need more because their flavour is less intense.
4. Roast Almonds or Pinenuts
If your recipe calls for fried caper berries to add as a crispy topping to a dish, roast nuts will provide a similar textural and flavour highlight.
5. Feta
This is taking things in a completely different direction but crumbled feta can provide a salty tang to replace your caper berries.
6. Fresh Herbs
Again, this is taking things in a completely different direction but torn fresh herbs like basil, flat leaf parsley or tarragon will add a different aromatic flavour highlight to replace the floral notes of your caper berries.
7. Preserved Lemons
Another left field idea, but diced preserved lemon flesh will add a tangy freshness to your dish in a similar manner to caper berries. As preserved lemon tends to be super salty, start with less and add more as needed.
8. Sea Salt Flakes
If you don’t have any of the above, a good sprinkle of sea salt flakes will go some way to making up the salty flavour burst of your caper berries.
How to Store Caper Berries
In an airtight container in your pantry. Once a jar of pickled capers is open I keep them in the fridge.
Caper Berries Flavour Pairings
- Anchovy & Caper Berries
- Fish & Caper Berries
- Olive & Caper Berries
- Tuna & Caper Berries
- Cream & Caper Berries
- Dill & Caper Berries
More Articles Similar to Caper Berries Substitutes
- The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Substitutes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Miso Paste
- Oyster Sauce
- Pesto
- Tahini
- My 3 Favourite Spice Blends (and their substitutes)
Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x