7 Perfect Substitutes For Lemon Grass
substitutes for lemongrass

7 Perfect Substitutes For Lemon Grass

If you are out of lemongrass and wondering about some substitutes that can bring the same kind of citrusy flavor to your dish, here is a list that can aid you in your search.

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Made famous by its use in Ayurveda, lemongrass is a lemony and floral herb that blends very well alongside sweet and savory dishes. It is known for its long list of health benefits such as its ability to lower cholesterol levels. Another one of the major benefits associated with the consumption of lemongrass is its ability to promote a healthy digestive system. It should be clear that its sweet lemony flavor is really hard to replicate, but what can you do if you are out of lemongrass? It sure is tough to find it in local supermarkets. This is where you’ll need a substitute to bring into your meal that same lemon-like freshness and tanginess.

 

Top Substitute: Lemon Pickle (Preserved Lemon)

 

There is a reason behind lemongrass’s name. Lemongrass has a certain citric tanginess that is usually associated with lemon itself. Keeping that in mind, it is certain that there could be no other perfect substitute for lemongrass than lemon itself. However, the zesty quality of lemon is much stronger than that of lemongrass, thus, preserved lemon, which is much less tangy in taste, could be a perfect choice for you. Dipped in brine, lemon’s citrus quality weakens over-time and makes it a flavoring that can be added to the meal in a controllable manner.

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perfect substitutes for lemongrass
Lemon, upon being dipped in brine, loses its citric taste over-time and becomes more flavorful instead of being sour and tangy.

 

Worth Trying: Coriander Stalks + Fresh Ginger

 

Coriander stalks can prove to be much more flavorful as compared to coriander leaves. When you mix it with a few teaspoons of ginger, you’ll get the similar tangy taste that you have been looking for. The mixture won’t be as zesty as lemongrass, but it will surely be enough to bring a citrusy twist to your dish. They are mostly used as a lemongrass substitute in soups and broths.

 

substitutes for lemongrass
Coriander stalks tend to be more tasteful than the leaves.

 

Other Great Substitute For Lemongrass

 

1. Lemon Zest

 

Extracted by the pealing of the outer skin of a lemon, zest is the thin white film found between the flesh and the skin. To use it as a substitute, it is advised to use fresh lemon zest, as it tends to have a weak citrus quality and can quickly lose it with time.

 

perfect substitutes for lemongrass
The zest is the thin white film found between the flesh of the lemon and its outer skin.

 

2. Lemon Juice

 

This is one of the most popular substitutes that are added to curries and soups to make them more tasteful and tangy. Diluting lemon juice with water can weaken its zesty quality and ensure there’s only a slight deviation in the taste.

 

substitutes for lemon grass
Upon being diluted with water, the stingy taste of lemon juice weakens, which make it more tasteful.

 

3. Lemon Balm Leaves

 

As a herb belonging to the mint family, lemon balm has a delicate fragrance that is citrusy in nature. They are usually added at the end of the cooking process. Furthermore, they have the most distinctive taste, which also makes them a great addition to desserts if you are looking for a fresh, tangy, aromatic flavor.

 

perfect substitutes for lemongrass
Lemon balm leaves are known for their distinctive taste, which works well when coupled with their delicate fragrance.

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4. Lemon Verbena

 

Known for its strong flavor and smell, verbena leaves are used in a small amount when added as a substitute for lemongrass. The leaves must be chopped before being added to the dish that involves a curry. Furthermore, This substitute is also used in the preparation of sauces.

 

perfect substitute for lemongrass
Since verbena leaves are quite strong in aroma and in taste, they are added to the meal in small quantities.

 

5. Kaffir Lime Leaves

 

Popular as a substitute for lemongrass is Thai cuisine, kaffir lime leaves are a solo citrus substitute that can be added to the dish without mixing it with any herb or ingredient. Thick in texture and dark green in color, these leaves could be your perfect choice if you are looking for something strong and pungent.

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perfect substitutes for lemongrass
Kaffir lime leaves can be used as a substitute for lemongrass if you are looking for something more strong and tasteful.

As you know by now, there are various substitutes that you can use for lemongrass in different settings. In the end, in order to replicate the same lemony flavor of lemongrass, you’ll have to test them out for yourself, for each of them have different levels of citric character.

 

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