Are you looking for a substitute for lemongrass?
What will you do when you need lemongrass but don’t have any?
We have compiled a list of all the substitutes for lemongrass…
…that will give you a meal bursting with lemony flavor.
The tropical island plant lemongrass is a member of the grass family.
The main purpose for its use is to cook food in southern Asian countries…
…such as Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Asian recipes benefit from lemongrass grass’ citrus flavor.
Lemongrass is not only used by Asian countries…
…but also by African countries to season tea and other drinks.
Lemongrass is used in different ways by different continents for cooking.
As an alternative to lemongrass, these ingredients provide a close citrus flavor…
…and distinct aroma to complement your recipe almost as well as fresh lemongrass.
Let’s hear what Veronica said about this!
My mom is from Philippines.
That is why I used to eat many Asian dishes since childhood.
Honestly, that time I took that for granted.
Now that I have my own family,
there was a time when I miss my mom’s cooking.
One day I wanted to recreate my mom’s special recipe.
I have everything except a few stalks of fresh lemongrass!
The fact that I was less prepared was really discouraging me to continue cooking.
Until I surfed on the internet for the best substitute for lemongrass.
And the result was quite surprising for me.
There were several alternatives that can be used as fresh lemongrass substitutes!
And those ingredients were sitting happily on my pantry all the time!
She was very happy when she knew about the substitute for lemongrass.
What Is Lemongrass Used For?
This herb has a lemony scent that comes from the stalk of the lemongrass plant.
There are several types of lemongrass: whole lemongrass, dried lemongrass…
…and sometimes even lemongrass oil.
It tastes like a combination of ginger and lemon.
Lemongrass is traditionally used in Asian cooking…
…like stir-fries and soups, as well as tea.
“It’s a good idea to replace regular tea with lemongrass tea, which is tannin-free and caffeine-free, and works wonders for your health.”
Dr. Samaddar From Healthshots.com
Here’s what you are looking for!
The Substitute For Lemongrass
Even though Lemongrass has a complex flavor and aroma…
…that lends a uniqueness to Asian cuisine…
…there are other suitable substitutes available.
The substitute for lemongrass does not provide the exact flavor of lemongrass…
…but they are very close.
1. Lemon Zest
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Lemon zest can easily be substituted for lemongrass…
…because it is readily available at most local markets. Also, its taste profile is similar.
Using lemon zest with a recipe requires you to grate it (outer part of lemon)…
…and mix it according to the amount of food inside to ensure an even flavor.
The proper measurement is two small stalks of lemongrass per medium-sized lemon.
If needed, you can substitute lemon zest for lemongrass…
…depending on the amount of food consumed.
Scroll down to find out other available alternatives of fresh lemongrass!
2. Kreung a.k.a Lemongrass Paste
- Authentic Cambodian Food (Kroeung)
- No Artificial Preservatives, Colors or Flavors
- 2018 sofi Award Winner
- Made in
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Lemongrass paste is made in Cambodia and combined with other ingredients…
…to provide additional flavor besides lemongrass.
The main ingredients are galangal and shallots.
In place of one tablespoon of chopped fresh lemongrass…
…you can use 1 tablespoon of lemongrass paste.
You may even notice a stronger flavor from lemongrass paste.
If you’re cooking it in a soup, make sure you let it cook through the dish.
3. Keffir Lime Leaves
An excellent substitute for lemongrass that has a similar citrus aroma.
In addition to lime leaves, lime juice and lime zest can be added to enhance flavor.
- EXTREMELY AROMATIC: These edible leaves are highly aromatic and flavorful. Bai Magrood is an essential ingredient for cooking authentic Thai and Asian food. This lovely citrus leaf adds flavor to South-East Asian dishes, such as Thai curries, stir-fries and salads. Add Fresh Dried Kaffir Lime Leaves for a fragrant citrus flavor with a mild hint of spice in your Tom Yum soups, curry, spaghetti, marinades, spice-rubs, stews, curry paste, Tom Kha soup, Panang curry, Tom Kha Gai.
- 1 x 15 g bag (0.5 oz) of pure dried lime leaves , More powerful than fresh leaves, concentrated essential oils with water removed.
- People are raving about our curry leaves, grown by expert curry farmers, because they are the freshest you’ll find and make your curry meals taste like your favorite Thai and Indian restaurant prepared them.
- Dried Kaffir Lime Leaves are highly aromatic and provide a light citrus flavor to any dish.
- 100% PURE - We do not add preservatives or additives to our spices: 100% Satisfaction - All Thai Spices products come with a 100% money back guarant
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If you are using keffir lime leaves, remove the midrib from these leaves…
…to only use the fresh leaves. One lemongrass stalk is equal to…
…two tablespoons of lemon juice + one keffir lime leaf + one tablespoon of lime zest.
It is also preferable to remove the leaves from the food before eating it…
…so that the food does not get contaminated. It provides flavor and aroma.
Can we use dried lemongrass?
4. Dried Lemongrass
- LEMONGRASS POWDER - a flavorful herb used for cooking and tea, with a strong lemon flavor with a deep mint tone. It is also used to make Lemongrass paste and as an important ingredient of many eastern seasonings.
- MANY USES - Add to many dishes including chicken, stir fry, soups. Also makes a great flavorful tea.
- FRESH - made from premium Lemongrass, ground fresh.
- PURE - no additives, no fillers, no agents, Non-GMO, no preservatives.
- FARM TO TABLE - 30 years of experience in growing spices, herbs and peppers, using traditional methods like hand-picking, sun-drying and grounding at our facili
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In recipes, dried lemongrass is an excellent substitute for fresh lemongrass.
A proper amount of lemongrass should be added because it has a strong herbal…
…and citrusy flavor when dried.
The equivalent of one stem of fresh lemongrass…
…in dried lemongrass is one tablespoon.
Dried lemongrass can overwhelm a meal since it is more concentrated.
It is best to use dried lemongrass for meat dishes…
…and sauces in order to achieve better results.
You can substitute ginger and coriander as lemongrass substitutes…
…by using a combination of both.
Use 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger root and 2 teaspoons…
of freshly crushed coriander stalks to substitute one stalk of lemongrass.
This combination of ginger and coriander stalks…
…produces a taste similar to lemongrass.
Ginger is sweet and pungent, and coriander stalks have a strong scent.
One of the most effective lemongrass substitutes is lemon balm…
…which has a strong mint flavor.
By chopping or halving the leaves, you will maximize their citrus flavor elements…
…as well as their fragrance.
You can substitute three leaves of lemon balm for one stalk of lemongrass.
Along with its benefits as a lemongrass substitute…
…it may also help with digestion, headaches, and cramps.
Both ingredients are an excellent substitute for lemongrass.
Arugula adds a spicy undertone that can’t be replicated by lemon zest alone.
One fresh stalk of lemongrass can be substituted for every two arugula leaves…
…and one tablespoon of lemon zest in the recipe.
This combination brings out the citrus and herbal flavors of lemongrass in food.
5. Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena is a herb with an aromatic flavor similar to lemongrass…
…that is used to substitute lemongrass to provide a citrus flavor and a herbal taste.
If using in the dishes, add the leaves according to taste…
…monitoring it until the level of richness meets the requirements.
It is usually sufficient to equate one lemongrass stalk…
…with one to two lemon verbena leaves.
The leaves can either be chopped or inserted whole.
Before eating the food, make sure that the leaves are removed.
6. Preserved Lemon
The preserved lemon is a great substitute for lemongrass…
…because it has many lemon aspects.
With its citrus flavor, it complements your dishes without overpowering them.
In place of 1 teaspoon fresh lemongrass, use 1 1/2 teaspoons of preserved lemon.
It’s the best for cooking seafood.
Last but not least…
7. Japanese Yuzu
There is a Japanese yuzu with a citrus and floral scent…
…that has a flavor similar to lemongrass if you can find it.
- Green Yuzu Kosho is a Japanese traditional citrus seasoning with green pepper
- Teaspoon-size dollops of Green Yuzu Kosho will instantly impart depth to your dish - fish, steak, noodles, soups or desserts.
- Enjoy the perfect harmony of rich flavor of Japanese citrus fruit “Yuzu” and spicy taste of green chili pepper.
- No additives, no coloring, no MSG
- Every item has an English label on the bott
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The fruit belongs to the citrus family.
With curry and seafood dishes, Japanese yuzu is often used…
…in both savory and sweet dishes.
The substitute for lemongrass can provide a powerful flavor to your dish…
…when you don’t have lemongrass.
If you are using any of the substitutes listed above…
…I would recommend adding a few slices of ginger or some grated ginger…
…in order to impart all of the lemongrass flavors.
If you don’t have lemongrass, you may not have ginger, coriander, or arugula either.
Regardless, you still have options.
If lemongrass juice is not available, lime juice can also be substituted.
Lime zest can be used in the same way as lemon zest.
If lemongrass is just a hint required in a recipe, lime zest is better suited.
It is also possible to use coriander (also known as cilantro) and fresh ginger.
Don’t add too much ginger since ginger has a strong flavor.
It is recommended that you grate ginger…
…and then chop up coriander stalks (not the leaves!) along with the ginger.
The flavor of one stalk of lemongrass can be replicated…
…by mixing two tablespoons of ginger with two tablespoons of coriander.
In the event that you do decide to use dried ginger…
…you will want to use less as the flavor of dried ginger is concentrated.
How to store lemongrass if you have any?
How Do You Store Fresh Lemongrass?
The best way to store whole, fresh lemongrass is to wrap it loosely…
…and keep it in the fridge. You can also try mincing the lemongrass into a paste.
Sum Up
There are 7 ingredients in total that you can use as lemongrass substitutes…
…such as lemongrass paste, kefir lime leaves, Japanese yuzu, preserved lemon…
…lemon verbena, lemon zest, and dried lemongrass!
Conclusion
There you go! You can use the above ingredients to substitute for lemongrass soon…
…or to experiment with your cooking.
We have different preferences, so some people may find lemongrass alternatives…
…useful and others may not.
The best lemongrass substitute is lemon zest, according to most professionals.
Find the substitute for lemongrass that works best for you…
…from among the available alternatives.
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
