Used in Indian cuisine as well as in Mexican cuisine, where it is often paired together with cumin and cinnamon. In the north Indian cuisine, it is used in almost every sauce or side dish made. Cloves are also a key ingredient in tea along with green cardamoms. In the south Indian cuisine, it finds extensive use in the biryani dish and is normally added whole to enhance the presentation and flavor of rice dishes.

In Amercia and Europe it is heavily used in baking and is a main flavoring agent in court bullion in France and Béchamel sauce.