Lemongrass is a staple in many Asian cuisines, known for its bright, citrusy flavor with earthy undertones. But what do you do when you can't find fresh lemongrass at your local store? Don't worry-there are plenty of substitutes that can bring a similar zest to your dishes.
When fresh lemongrass isn't an option, I often turn to dried lemongrass as a convenient alternative. I find that it retains a concentrated flavor profile that's excellent in teas, soups, and curries.
Whether you're making a fragrant Thai curry or a soothing herbal tea, here are the best lemongrass alternatives to keep your recipes on track.
Quick Guide:
- For Teas: Lemon balm, lemon verbena
- For Soups and Curries: Kaffir lime leaves, fresh ginger, coriander stalks
- For Marinades and Dressings: Lemon zest, lime zest, lemon juice
Substitute Short List:
- Lemon Verbena Leaves
- Flavor Profile: Strong lemon flavor, less earthy than lemongrass.
- Best For: Teas, desserts.
- Substitution Ratio: Use sparingly-1-2 leaves per stalk of lemongrass.
- Kaffir Lime Leaves
- Flavor Profile: Robust citrus flavor, lacks grassy notes.
- Best For: Thai cuisine, curries.
- Substitution Ratio: 2 leaves per stalk of lemongrass.
- Fresh Ginger
- Flavor Profile: Warm, spicy kick with zesty notes.
- Best For: Soups, stir-fries.
- Substitution Ratio: 2 teaspoons finely minced ginger per stalk of lemongrass.
12 Best Lemongrass Substitutes
When looking for the best substitute or replace the flavor of lemongrass in recipes keep in mind that lemongrass has a distinct, lemony taste similar to lemon zest with an earthy undertone and a slightly grassy note with a hint of ginger, which can be attributed to its essential oils, primarily citral.
Keep those flavor notes in mind when you are searching your pantry for a substitute.
These alternatives are easily accessible and can seamlessly blend into most recipes that originally call for lemongrass.
Lemon Verbena Leaves
Lemon verbena has a strong lemon flavor that's quite similar to lemongrass, making it an excellent alternative. In comparison to lemongrass, it's more lemony and less earthy. Use it sparingly, as it is potent and can overwhelm the dish if used in excess.
Lemon Balm
Fresh Lemon balm, with its mild lemon scent and flavor, acts as a softer substitute for lemongrass. It's a great lemongrass alternative, especially in teas and desserts. One can replace one stalk of lemongrass with a few fresh leaves of lemon balm, finely chopped.
Kaffir Lime Leaf
Specifically kaffir lime leaf, lends a robust citrus flavor. Although it lacks the grassy notes of lemongrass, it's still a top contender when it comes to finding a lemongrass substitute, especially in Thai cuisine where it's also abundantly used.
Kaffir Lime Leaf Substitute
- I use two kaffir lime leaves per lemongrass stalk needed.
- Since they are potent, I typically bruise the leaves to release their oils.
Coriander
Coriander, also known as cilantro, can be used as a lemongrass substitute due to its citrusy undertones. When substituting, use the coriander stalks rather than the leaves, as the stalks contain more flavor that resembles the lemony zest of lemongrass.
How to substitute coriander for lemongrass
1 stalk lemongrass = 2 teaspoons coriander stalks
Fresh Ginger
Fresh ginger offers a warm, spicy kick that can mimic some of the spicy notes of lemongrass. Its zesty nature can complement many dishes that typically require lemongrass.
Fresh Ginger as Lemongrass Alternative
1 stalk lemongrass = 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger
Lemongrass Tea
If you have lemongrass tea in your tea box brew a double-strength cup and add it to taste.
Frozen Lemongrass
If my produce section is out of fresh lemongrass, I will head to the frozen section and see if the international section of the frozen foods has frozen lemongrass. Not all grocery stores have it. You can also ask your grocery manager to keep it in stock.
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Ingredient Blends To Substitute For Lemongrass
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice- I use it in dressings, marinades, and soups where lemongrass is called for. Combine it with other ingredients to mirror lemongrass's complexity. Here's how I typically replace lemongrass with lemon juice:
How to substitute with Lemon Juice
For 1 stalk of lemongrass, use, one tablespoon of lemon juice
Consider mixing with herbs like cilantro to add depth
Lemon Zest
For recipes that need the citrusy punch of lemongrass, I find lemon zest is a great substitute. One teaspoon of lemon zest can typically serve as an alternative for one stalk of lemongrass. It works exceptionally well in marinades and dressings.
Lemon zest combined with ginger has a more complex flavor profile if you have both ingredients on hand. Here's how I prepare it:
Lemon Zest Alternative for Lemongrass
- For every stalk of lemongrass required, I use 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.
- I add ½ teaspoon of finely chopped ginger to mimic the complex flavor.
When using fresh ingredients to substitute lemongrass, I ensure they are well-washed and finely chopped or grated.
Lime Zest
Lime zest - When using lime zest, I make sure to only grate off the green part of the peel to avoid the bitter white pith. My guidelines for substitution is as follows:
- For 1 stalk of lemongrass, use:
- 1 teaspoon of lime zest
- Combine with a pinch of minced ginger for a more rounded flavor
Lime Juice
Lastly, lime juice-it's sharper than lemon juice and imparts a distinct tropical flair. I often use it when cooking Southeast Asian dishes to add a punchy, tangy note. When substituting, I remember less is more to avoid overpowering the dish.
- For 1 stalk of lemongrass, use:
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- Optionally mix with a bit of lemon zest for that lemongrass-like zing
Dry Lemongrass Substitutes
When fresh lemongrass isn't an option, I often turn to dried lemongrass as a convenient alternative. I find that it retains a concentrated flavor profile that's works well in my recipes.
Please take note that dried lemongrass is more potent than fresh, so please use it sparingly. A good rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of dried lemongrass for every stalk of fresh required in a recipe.
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Dried Lemongrass
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Another substitute I consider is lemongrass paste. It's a handy ingredient with a softer texture compared to the dried version, and it incorporates seamlessly into dishes.
The paste is less intense compared to dried lemongrass, so I typically use a tablespoon of paste to replace one stalk of fresh lemongrass. Since it's a paste, it's best to add it in early to allow its flavors to meld with the other components.
Here's a table summarizing the substitute ratios:
| Fresh Lemongrass | Dried Lemongrass | Lemongrass Paste |
|---|---|---|
| 1 stalk | 1 teaspoon | 1 tablespoon |
I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 15 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
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