Substitute for Lemongrass

 

Lemongrass is a popular ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine, with its fragrant citrus flavor and unique aroma. It can be hard to find fresh lemongrass or substitute ingredients that have the same taste and texture. If you’re looking for an alternative to lemongrass in your cooking, there are several options available. In this blog post we will discuss some of the most common substitute ingredients for lemongrass, as well as offer tips on how to use them effectively in recipes. Whether you want a substitute for soups, curries, stir-frys, meat dishes, seafood dishes, vietnamese dish,  or other variety of dishes – we’ve got you covered.

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bundle of lemongrass

 

Looking for a substitute for Lemongrass? You’ll find something that meets your needs on this list.

Here are some of our favorite lemongrass replacements along with suggestions on how to use them.

Lemon Peel

Lemon peel is a great substitute for lemongrass, as it has the same sweet and fragrant flavor profile. To substitute lemon peel for lemongrass in a recipe, use equal amounts of finely grated or minced peel, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is an excellent replacement for lemongrass substitute that is a herb with a strong lemon flavor, similar to that of lemongrass. It can be used in place of lemongrass in recipes, although the flavor will be slightly more intense so use it sparingly. If you substitute lemon verbena for lemongrass, add it at the beginning of the cooking process, as the flavor will be lost if added too late.

Ginger and Garlic

Ginger, fresh ginger and garlic are both common substitutes for lemongrass alternatives ingredients for lemongrass. They have similar flavors – ginger is spicy and citrusy, while garlic has a savory note – but neither ingredient can replicate the exact flavor of lemongrass. To substitute ginger and garlic for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly grated or minced ingredients, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lemongrass Extract

If you have trouble finding fresh lemongrass or substitute ingredients, you can also use a lemongrass extract to get the flavor you need. Lemongrass extract is a concentrated seasoning that can be added to recipes or savory dishes in place of the fresh ingredient. To substitute lemongrass extract for fresh lemongrass, use 1 teaspoon of extract for every tablespoon of chopped lemongrass called for in the recipe.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a lemongrass replacement that is lemon-scented herb with a slightly sweet flavor. It can be used as substitute for lemongrass, although its flavor will be milder than that of the original ingredient. To substitute lemon balm for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

 

Preserved Lemon

Preserved lemons are a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, but they can be used as substitute for lemongrass too. The preserved lemon will give the dish an intensely lemony flavor, so use it sparingly if substituting for lemongrass. To substitute preserved lemon for fresh lemongrass, use 1 teaspoon of chopped preserved lemon for every tablespoon of fresh lemongrass called for in the recipe.

Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaves are a fragrant ingredient often used in Thai cooking. They have an intense citrusy flavor and aroma, similar to that of lemongrass. To substitute kaffir lime leaves for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a popular substitute for lemongrass, as it has the same sweet and citrusy flavor. To substitute ginger beer for lemongrass in recipes, use equal amounts of the beverage instead of water or broth.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, coriander and cumin can all be used to substitute for lemongrass in recipes. These ingredients won’t give you the same flavor profile as lemongrass, but they will add a complementary flavor to the dish. To substitute herbs and spices for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried ingredients, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lime Leaves

Lime leaves are a excellent substitute for lemongrass that has the same citrusy flavor and aroma. To substitute lime leaves for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lime Zest

Lime zest is a substitute for lemongrass that has the same citrusy flavor, but it is more concentrated than the fresh ingredient. To substitute lime zest for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly grated or minced zest, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lime Juice

Lime juice is a substitute for lemongrass that has the same citrusy flavor, but it is more tart than the fresh ingredient. To substitute lime juice for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly squeezed or bottled juice.

Japanese Yuzu

Japanese Yuzu is a substitute for lemongrass that has the same citrusy flavor and aroma, but with a sweeter note. To substitute Japanese Yuzu for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly grated or minced zest, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lemon Zest

Lemon zest is a substitute for lemongrass that has the same citrusy flavor, but it is less concentrated than the fresh ingredient. To substitute lemon zest for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly grated or minced zest, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Eucalyptus Leaves

Eucalyptus leaves are a substitute for lemongrass, although they have a different flavor profile. To substitute eucalyptus leaves for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Basil

Basil is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute basil for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Mint

Mint is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute mint for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process

Cilantro

Cilantro is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute cilantro for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Lavender

Lavender is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute lavender for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Thyme

Thyme is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute thyme for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Oregano

Oregano is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute oregano for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Parsley

Parsley is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute parsley for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a substitute for lemongrass, although it has a different flavor profile. To substitute rosemary for lemongrass, use equal amounts of freshly chopped or dried leaves, added at the beginning of the cooking process.

 

We hope that this blog post has helped you find substitute ingredients for lemongrass in your cooking.  Whether you’re looking for a substitute for soups, curries, stir-frys, or other dishes, these substitute ingredients will help provide the flavor and aroma you need. Lemongrass is a unique and flavorful ingredient that can be hard to substitute. There are several options available for replacing this key ingredient in Southeast Asian dishes. Lemon peel, lemon verbena, ginger & garlic, lemongrass extract, and lemon balm are all acceptable lemongrass substitute ingredients.  I hope you find the perfect solution.

 
 

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