What Is Nutmeg and How Can I Use It?

Nutmeg is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 2,672 recipes to get you started.

What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg and mace have similar taste qualities, nutmeg having a slightly sweeter and mace a more delicate flavour.

Mace is often preferred in light dishes for the bright orange, saffron-like hue it imparts. Nutmeg is always used in ground or grated form, and is best grated fresh.

Essential Oil

The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg, and is used widely in the perfumery pharmaceutical industries. The oil is colourless or light yellow, and smells and tastes of nutmeg. It contains numerous components of interest to the oleochemical industry, and is used as a natural food flavouring in baked goods, syrups, beverages, and sweets.

It is used to replace ground nutmeg as it leaves no particles in the food. The essential oil is also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, for instance, in toothpaste, and as a major ingredient in some cough syrups. In traditional medicine nutmeg and nutmeg oil were used for disorders related to the nervous and digestive systems. 

Nutmeg Butter

Nutmeg butter is obtained from the nut by expression. It is semi-solid, reddish brown in colour, and tastes and smells of nutmeg.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find nutmeg: Nutmeg is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Nutmeg is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

肉豆蔻

British (UK) term

Nutmeg

en français

noix de muscade

en español

nuez moscada

How much does nutmeg weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using nutmeg

There are 2672 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Adam's Chai Latte Ice Cream

My brother Adam loves this ice cream so much that I asked him for the recipe. It's a Chai Latte with chunks of gingerbread cookies hidden within.

Blueberry French Toast Sandwiches

Golden French toast stuffed with warm blueberry-maple compote and dusted with powdered sugar. Make weekend brunch feel special with this sweet sandwich.

Very P-Nutty Muffins

Peanut butter banana muffins with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a swirl of sour cream for extra-tender crumb. Elvis-inspired snack muffins, freezer-friendly, ready in under an hour.

Pumpkin Biscuits (Lacto)

Savory pumpkin biscuits with whole wheat, wheat germ, bran, and a clever clove of garlic to balance the sweetness. Drop biscuits with a spoonbread interior, no butter or eggs needed.

Tortellini with Goat Cheese & Scallions

Learn to make homemade tortellini with creamy goat cheese and scallion filling, served in savory chicken broth. Simple sophistication in a bowl. This comforting dish features tender homemade tortellini filled with goat cheese and fresh scallions, served in a warm, flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it combines delicate pasta with a rich, savory filling, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and scallions.

Dave's Cream of Broccoli Soup

Lighter cream of broccoli soup using skim evaporated milk and sauteed leeks for body, finished with fresh basil and a hint of nutmeg. A leaner take on the diner classic.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie with a gingersnap crumb crust, dark rum, heavy cream, and freshly grated nutmeg. The double-boiler trick warms the filling before baking for a smoother, less weepy custard.

Gloria's Best Gingerbread Cookies

Soft, warmly spiced gingerbread cookies made with molasses, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Roll and cut into festive shapes for Christmas decorating with simple icing.

Nonfat Eggless Pumpkin Pie

Nonfat eggless pumpkin pie made with liquid egg substitute, evaporated skim milk, and brown sugar substitute. A diabetic-friendly Thanksgiving dessert with classic pumpkin pie spice.

Dave's Light Pumpkin Pie

Dave's light pumpkin pie uses artificial sweetener, skim milk, and nonfat evaporated milk for a holiday-classic flavor with significantly less fat and sugar. Thanksgiving dessert you can serve guilt-free.

Mommy's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft-baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, ready in under 30 minutes for chewy or crispy texture

Blueberry Muffins with Nutmeg Topping

Bakery-style blueberry muffins with nutmeg sugar topping. Three flours, butter, and buttermilk give a tender crumb and tall domed tops crowned with crackly spiced sugar.

Blueberry Muffins with Nutmeg Topping

Bakery-style blueberry muffins with nutmeg sugar topping. Three flours, butter, and buttermilk give a tender crumb and tall domed tops crowned with crackly spiced sugar.

Tradional Pumpkin Pie

Traditional pumpkin pie made with sweetened condensed milk, two eggs, pumpkin puree, and warming cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. The Eagle Brand classic that ends up on Thanksgiving tables for a reason.

T.M.'s Gingerbread Cookies

Classic roll-out gingerbread cookies with ginger, nutmeg, and molasses, perfect for cookie cutters and holiday decorating. The traditional Christmas cookie kids and grown-ups both love to ice.

Chocolate Almond Coffee

Chocolate almond coffee, a homemade flavored coffee blend with ground coffee, chocolate and almond extracts, and freshly grated nutmeg. Brew like regular coffee for a cafe-style drink at home.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Curried pumpkin soup with sweet pumpkin puree, golden sauteed onions, warm curry powder, and a swirl of half-and-half. A silky, autumn-spiced soup garnished with pepitas or chives.

Very Yummy Pumpkin Bread

Very yummy pumpkin bread bakes up moist and tender with warm nutmeg and an oil-based batter. This big-batch recipe makes multiple loaves and freezes beautifully for the holidays.

Karen's Pumpkin Pie

Karen's pumpkin pie uses fresh roasted pumpkin, heavy cream, brown sugar, warm spices, and a splash of whiskey for the richest holiday pie. From-scratch Thanksgiving classic.

Tom's Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

Old-fashioned pumpkin pie with molasses, evaporated milk, and the four classic spices: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. The grandmother-style holiday pie with a deep, dark filling.

Spiced Sweet Carrot Soup

Chilled carrot soup blended with orange juice, fresh nutmeg and chicken broth. A bright, low-calorie warm-weather starter served cold with an orange slice and mint. Six ingredients, blender-easy.

Buttered Rum Coffee

Try something new in the morning with this drink that has a buttery taste which is sure to perk you up in the morning.

Mother's Pumpkin Pie

Classic homemade pumpkin pie with a from-scratch shortening crust and a custard filling spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. Real evaporated milk and whole eggs, no shortcuts.

Spiced Carrot & Orange Soup

Warm up a cool autumn day with this fragrant soup that is full of flavor in every spoonful.

Blender Broccoli Soup

A creamy chilled broccoli soup blended silky smooth with milk, half-and-half, and a hint of nutmeg. Ready in 30 minutes with just a blender, a saucepan, and a handful of ingredients.

Awesome Ginger Spice Waffles

Gingerbread-style waffles with molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, half whole-wheat flour for body. Topped with vanilla yogurt and bright fruit, they taste like holiday morning.

Halloween Pumpkin Pie

Halloween pumpkin pie with a from-scratch pastry crust, silky spiced custard, and fresh grated ginger for a livelier kick than the usual canned pie. The kind of pumpkin pie that earns its place on the autumn table.

Light Pumpkin Pie

Light pumpkin pie sweetened with brown sugar, honey, and low-calorie sweetener, blended with non-fat milk for a creamy custard that skips the heavy cream without losing the warm ginger-cinnamon-nutmeg punch.

Reduced-Fat Apple Muffins

This apple muffins are rich in fibire and low-fat, they are fit for all!

Vanilla Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Vanilla oatmeal raisin cookies with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a touch of corn syrup for chewy texture. Soft, spiced, classic homemade cookies.

Holiday Vegan Pumpkin Pie

A vegan pumpkin pie with a silky tofu-set custard, spiced with cinnamon, ginger and mace and sweetened with molasses, in a flaky from-scratch crust. An egg- and dairy-free holiday classic.

Holiday Vegan Pumpkin Pie

A vegan pumpkin pie with a silky tofu-set custard, spiced with cinnamon, ginger and mace and sweetened with molasses, in a flaky from-scratch crust. An egg- and dairy-free holiday classic.

Yummy Pumpkin Biscuits

Vegan pumpkin biscuits use silken tofu and pumpkin puree instead of butter for a tender, whole-wheat morning bake spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. No dairy, no eggs, ready in 25 minutes.

Love Heart Sugar Cookies

Heart-shaped sugar cookies made the old-fashioned way with lard, sour milk, and a hint of nutmeg. Tender, slightly flaky cut-outs ready for royal icing or sprinkles. A Valentine's Day classic.

All-Time Delicious Pancakes

Oven-baked dessert pancake (Dutch baby): a giant puffed pancake baked in a hot skillet with butter, then dusted with sugar and lemon juice. Fill with fruit or ice cream for an instant dessert.

My Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie with pan-browned pumpkin for deeper caramelized flavor and a sugar-flour barrier under the custard that keeps the crust crisp. Holiday classic, reimagined.

Nutty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies with toasted walnuts, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and a hit of nutmeg. Chewy in the middle, crisp on the edges, and packed with three cups of rolled oats for serious texture.

Eggs Florentine Ham & Cheese Cups

These Eggs Florentine Cheese Cups are a satisfying, savory breakfast treat that combines the richness of cheddar and cottage cheese with the hearty flavors of spinach and ham. Freeze and reheat for a quick breakfast during the week.

Pleasure's Pumpkin Pie

Pleasure's Pumpkin Pie: a lighter Thanksgiving pie made with whipped egg whites and skim evaporated milk, packed with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice for classic fall warmth.

Banana Chocolate Whole Wheat Bread

This banana bread satisfy your sweet tooth and the chocolate cravings at the same time.

Favorite Chewy Spice Cookies

Chewy spice cookies are low-fat molasses cookies sweetened with applesauce, scented with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice, then drizzled with lemon icing. Holiday spice cookies without butter or eggs.

Grilled Jerk Pork Chops

A seasoning mix that originated in Jamaica, jerk is popular throughout the Caribbean in the preparation of meats such as pork and chicken for grilling. Jerk seasoning typically includes chilies, onion, allspice, and thyme.

Whole Grain Spice Pumpkin Muffins

Whole grain spice pumpkin muffins with whole wheat pastry flour, bran, honey, dates, and raisins. Naturally sweetened, fiber-rich fall muffins with warm spices and orange zest.

Silky Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Vegan pumpkin pie made with silken tofu instead of eggs and cream, sweetened with date sugar and molasses. Silky custard texture with classic Thanksgiving spice.

Cool & Creamy Pumpkin Pie

Cool and creamy pumpkin pie folds whipped cream into a butterscotch-pudding pumpkin filling spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, then chills in a cinnamon-sugar-glazed crust. A no-bake pumpkin pie that skips the oven entirely.

Last Word in Nutmeg Muffins

Nutmeg muffins built on freshly grated whole nutmeg with heavy cream and milk for a buttery, tender crumb. The bakery-style breakfast muffin where the spice is the star, not an afterthought.

Spiced Breakfast Apple Muffins

Spiced applesauce breakfast muffins with cinnamon and nutmeg, baked into tender rounds with a cinnamon-sugar crackly top. Pantry-staple muffins for grab-and-go mornings.

Cakey Gingerbread Squares

Cakey gingerbread squares with molasses, fresh orange zest, and warm holiday spices. Tender old-fashioned gingerbread, dusted with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

Holiday Gingerbread Waffles

Holiday gingerbread waffles bring molasses, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the breakfast table. Whipped egg whites give them an impossibly light, crisp-edged crumb.

My Mother's Sugar Cookies

These are better than ordinary sugar cookies because of the flavoring.

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