Substitutes for Lemongrass

What is Lemongrass?

Lemongrass is a tropical plant native to Asia and Africa. It has a strong citrus aroma and flavor, which makes it popular in Asian cooking. The leaves are used fresh or dried, but they are most commonly found in powdered form.

What are the best easy, quick, and simple substitutes for lemongrass?

The easiest lemongrass substitute is lemon zest. You can also use lemon verbena, ginger, galangal, preserved lemon, and lemongrass paste.

Lemon Zest Is the Easiest Replacement for Lemongrass

The most common substitute for lemongrass is lemon zest. It has a similar citrusy aroma but it doesn’t pack quite the same punch. If you want to add some extra flavor to dishes, try adding a few drops of lemon juice along with the zest. Plus, lemon zest adds a nice touch of brightness to dishes like chicken soup.

If you don’t have any lemongrass on hand, then lemon zest will do just fine as a replacement. Just be sure not to overdo it,

Other Top Replacements For Lemongrass Are

Lemongrass Paste Is the Most Similar Substitute for Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a fragrant herb that has a citrusy flavor. It is used in Thai cuisine and is often added to curries. The most common way to use it is in paste form. This is done by adding the fresh lemongrass to boiling water, then simmering it for 10 minutes before straining out the lemongrass. Lemon grass paste is great in stir fries, soups, and salads.

Fresh Lemongrass Alternatives
Fresh Lemongrass Alternatives – The best substitute for fresh lemon grass is Lemon Zest or Lime Zest

Kaffir Lime Leaves

The most common substitute for lemongrass is kaffir lime leaves. They taste similar but they are not interchangeable. Kaffir lime has a distinct and stronger aroma. If you want to try it out, you could add them to curries or stir-fries first to see if you like it.

Ginger Paste

Ginger has long been used in cooking and is readily available. It is a good alternative to lemongrass. Use it in a one to one ratio. The taste will be different than lemongrass, but it won’t be too far off. Ginger is especially good when combined with other spices like turmeric.

Mint + Lime Juice + Ginger + Sugar

The minty taste of this combination will remind you of the classic margarita cocktail. It’s refreshing, light, and easy to drink. But ut can also be used in cooking to provide an unexpected twist to your favorite dishes. Try using it in a salad dressing or even in a smoothie, rather than a recipe that requires cooking or frying.

Ginger Paste Is A Good Replacement For Lemongrass
Ginger Paste Is A Good Replacement For Lemongrass

Preserved Lemon

 Preserved lemons have a good shelf life and therefore are often available if you do not have lemongrass on hand. Start by using a small amount because they can be quite salty. Try using half a small spoon as a replacement for one piece of lemongrass.

Basil Mint Plus Cilantro

Using a combination of Basil mint and Cilantro will give your recipe a slightly sweet and spicy substitute for lemongrass. You also will get good aromas coming from a cooked dish.  For a milder version try using chives instead of basil.

Lime Zest

Try using lemon zest instead. It has a similar flavor profile and will give you a nice citrusy kick without the bitterness of the actual lime fruit. This is one of my favorite alternatives for lemongrass. 

Lime Leaves

Another very common substitute for lemongrass is lime leaves, which have a similar flavor profile. They’re often used in Thai dishes, but they can be found at Asian markets and online.

Ginger And Cilantro

Ginger and Cilantro if blended first are surprisingly similar to lemongrass.

Dried Lemongrass Can Be Substituted for Fresh Lemongrass
Dried Lemongrass Can Be Substituted for Fresh Lemongrass

Dried Lemongrass

If you don’t have fresh lemongrass, dried versions are available. They come in varying degrees of strength, so it’s important to read the label carefully.

The most common way to add flavor to dishes is by adding herbs and spices. While many people think they know which ones to choose, it turns out there are hundreds of different types of herbs and spices available. Some are better than others at adding flavor, but not all of them taste great together. For example, cilantro tastes terrible with garlic, so make sure you test a small amount in your recipe first.

Can You Substitute Dried Lemongrass for Fresh?

Yes, you can use dried lemongrass instead of fresh.

Fresh lemongrass has a unique flavor, so dried lemongrass will be similar but not as strong.

Is Lemongrass the Same as Spring Onions?

No spring onions are quite different and much milder in both flavor and aroma than lemongrass.

What Is the Best Lemongrass Substitute in Curry?

I am making a curry with chicken and potatoes and I need to know what lemongrass substitute to use instead of fresh lemongrass. You can use lemongrass paste or lemon zest and the best substitutes when making a curry.