Quick Answer: What Are The Best Alternatives To Ginger?
Ginger is a sweet spice that is used in many recipes and has a variety of different flavors. The best substitutes for Ginger are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger powder. If you are thinking of adding a tangy taste, you may also use lemon juice with garlic.
Ginger has been used across the globe for millennia as a natural and holistic health food. There are numerous historical references to using ginger plants and extracts to heal a variety of ailments including nausea, bloating, and inflammation.
Ginger is also a very distinct flavoring used in a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. It can be hard to replicate, but we are here to give you some ideas for the best ginger substitutes. You may be surprised by just how well some of them can work.
Other Forms Of Ginger
There are a number of different ginger products available, such as fresh, powdered, candied (or crystallized), minced, and pickled. In a pinch, any of these can be substituted for one another.
It is important to bear in mind that these different forms will need to be used in differing quantities and may well alter the flavor of your finished dish. Minced ginger and pickled ginger are typically a lot more vinegary in flavor.
Crystallized ginger has a crispy exterior coating of sugar and is much sweeter than fresh ginger root. Powdered ginger will have the most similar flavor profile but the taste is much more mild and you will need to use more to achieve the same result.
To substitute ground ginger for fresh ginger, use 1 teaspoon for every tablespoon or inch of grated fresh ginger the recipe calls for.
Best Substitutes For Ginger
Substitutes | Calories (Per 100 gm) |
Allspice | 263 |
Cinnamon | 247 |
Galangal | 71 |
Ginseng | 80 |
Lemongrass | 99 |
Lemon Juice And Garlic | 85.5 |
Mace | 475 |
Nutmeg | 525 |
Nutmeg, Lemon Juice & Sugar | 311 |
Turmeric | 354 |
Ginseng Root | 400 |
Ground Cardamom | 311 |
Ginger Paste | 125 |
Pumpkin Spice | 342 |
Pickled Ginger | 72 |
Store-Bought Frozen Ginger | 55 |
Candied Ginger | 304 |
Ginger Juice | 67 |
Allspice
Allspice is also sometimes referred to as Jamaican pepper. It is a ground spice with a mildly spicy and sweet taste. It has a similar color to ground ginger and the flavor profile is relatively similar.
When substituting allspice for ground ginger you should use equal quantities. If you are substituting allspice for fresh ginger, you should use about ¼ teaspoon to replace each tablespoon of fresh ginger the recipe calls for.
How To Substitute
Allspice, known as the Jamaican pepper, is considered one of the best substitutes for ginger dues due to its spicy and sweet taste. You may substitute allspice for ground ginger on a 1:1 ratio.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a popular spice and makes a good go-to replacement for ginger in a pinch. The sweetness of the spice combined with the slight heat make it an ideal substitute for ginger in most recipes.
You may think of cinnamon as just for use in desserts, but it is actually used in savoury dishes far more commonly than you may assume. It is a key ingredient in a number of Indian dishes to lend a depth of flavor.
When using ground cinnamon as a replacement for ginger we advise using ¼ teaspoon for each tablespoon of grated fresh ginger the recipe calls for.
How To Substitute
If you are running short of ginger, then cinnamon should be your go-to choice for the sweet and spicy flavor to acquire your desired taste in your recipe. However, use it wisely when replacing it as per the requirements of your dish.
Galangal
This is a Southeast Asian plant, the root of which is commonly used in various traditional dishes. The flavor is reminiscent of a combination of turmeric and ginger, and the plant is actually from the same family as the ginger plant.
This makes it a very good substitute for fresh ginger. The only downside is that galangal is often much harder to source than ginger root, making it not the most practical substitute.
If you do manage to locate galangal, be aware that the flavor is more potent than that of ginger. Use a slightly smaller amount of galangal, to begin with, working up to an equal quantity to taste.
How To Substitute
Galangal comes from the ginger family and provides the combined taste of ginger and turmeric. If you plan to use it, make sure to start with a smaller quantity since it has a more robust flavor than galangal.
Ginseng
This is another commonly-used root in Asian cuisine. It is visually similar to ginger and is said to have a comparable flavor profile too. Ginseng tastes slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness.
Ginseng makes a perfect substitute for fresh ginger root where you do not want to alter the textural component of your dish too much. Ginseng also has a number of health benefits such as energy boosts which can add an extra kick to whatever dish you are making.
Generally speaking, you should use equal quantities of ginseng to whatever the recipe calls for of fresh ginger. The flavor is slightly more mild, so you may find that you need to add some extra to taste.
How To Substitute
Ginseng is an everyday staple found in Asian cuisine and provides your dish a similar flavor to ginger. Using the same quantity as ginger is advised, but if you want the exact taste, you may add a little extra.
Lemongrass
This is an incredibly common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine and is relatively easy to find in most grocery stores. It is unlikely that you will not have ginger but will have lemongrass on hand, however if this is the case the latter will serve as a good substitute.
Lemongrass has a level of tanginess from the citrusy notes and will serve well to replicate the effects of ginger in most dishes. It is important to gently bash the lemongrass stems to bruise them before use. This helps the fibrous plant to release some of its oils, unlocking more of the flavors and aromas to benefit your dish.
How To Substitute
Lemongrass with a tangy flavor replicates the flavor of ginger in your recipe with aromatic benefits. You may use it in most dishes that call for ginger after bruising them a little.
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Lemon Juice And Garlic
This is a really good substitute for fresh ginger if you don’t happen to have any on hand, or if someone you are cooking for is allergic to ginger. It creates the similar sharpness and bite that you would expect from incorporating ginger into your dish.
The acidity of the lemon juice will mellow the bite of the garlic slightly, and you will end up with a similar flavor profile to ginger. A similar result can also be achieved by incorporating a little freshly ground black pepper too.
How To Substitute
Lemon juice with ginger resembles the same sharpness provided by ginger in your dishes. These two ingredients give exact flavor with a pinch of black pepper. You should use it carefully to avoid the mess up with the taste of your recipe.
Mace
Mace comes from the protective coating of the nutmeg seeds, known as airls. The flavor is warmer and more aromatic, with hints of sweetness. It is similar in taste to nutmeg, but with more notes of black pepper, cilantro-like citrus, and pine.
To replace ground ginger with mace, you can use a direct substitution.
How To Substitute
Mace, popularly known as Airls, are the direct substitute for ginger with a warm aroma and a bit of sweetness. Mace comes from the mint family with a citrusy taste, making it one of the best alternatives to ginger.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a large seed from the nutmeg tree. They can be purchased as the whole seeds to grate freshly into each recipe, or as a powder. Nutmeg has a slightly spicy and sweet flavor. It is commonly used in Christmas dishes.
If you are replacing fresh ginger in your recipe with nutmeg, you should use ¼ teaspoon for each tablespoon of ginger stated in the recipe.
How To Substitute
Nutmeg is an easy-to-find substitute for ginger in any recipe. Either in powder form or in grated, it won’t disappoint you. It is popularly used in festive dishes because of its spicy and sweet flavor.
Nuts, Lemon Juice, And Sugar
This may seem like an odd suggestion, but if you are looking for a replacement for candied or crystallized ginger it works perfectly. We recommend using pecans or walnuts for this, as they contain a lot of natural sweetness that works brilliantly for this purpose.
We suggest crushing or grinding the nuts down until they are a coarse powder and then combining them with some granulated sugar and some lemon juice. Play around with the quantities until you find something that works for you. You will be shocked at how effective this substitute is.
How To Substitute
It may sound unusual, but the flavor you will get by using them will be astonishing. You will get the exact taste with the combination of grinded walnuts, sugar, and lemon juice.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is very commonly used within Asian cuisine. It gives a warm flavor with notes of bitterness, and will give whatever you are making that classic yellow hue. Turmeric again is from the same family as ginger, meaning that it will have a similar impact upon your dish.
If you are substituting ground turmeric for ground ginger, you can use it in the same quantities as the recipe calls for ginger. You may find that you need to include up to double the quantity of turmeric as the flavor is more mild. Taste as you go along, and adjust as necessary.
How To Substitute
With a bitter and warm flavor, turmeric has become one of the best choices to replace ginger. Grounded ginger replaces ground turmeric exceptionally; however, in powder form, it may require adding a little more to replicate the exact taste.
Ginseng Root
Ginseng root and ginger have a similar taste profile and can become an easy substitution for ginger in various recipes.
You may find ginger root in the Asian market easily. Likewise, finding the ginseng content is very common in the vitamin tablet section; however, it might be challenging to get your hand, but it will do great in recipes if you find it.
You may use fresh ginseng or ginseng root to replace it, and you will get the delicious flavor in your recipe.
How To Substitute
Replace ginseng root with ginger in substitution of 1:1 for a similar flavor.
Ground Cardamom
Ginger and cardamom are common spices used in cooking and baking. The flavor of ginger is delicate, while the taste of cardamom is bold.
Because of the flavors, you may use cardamom to substitute ginger in recipes. However, when replacing cardamom with ginger, you will need to add more spice to the recipe to achieve the same flavor.
How To Substitute
Use one and a half teaspoons of ground cardamom to replace one teaspoon of ginger.
Ginger Paste
Ginger is an ingredient that many people use in cooking; however, it is only sometimes the most affordable. Ginger Paste is a cheaper substitute that you can use in many recipes.
Ginger Paste is a fine, thin paste made from ground ginger root and water. It is often used in curries, sauces, and marinades. In addition, you may use ginger paste for fresh ginger in various recipes.
So, if you are running short of ginger, you must try ginger paste once in a while.
How To Substitute
Use the ginger paste to substitute ginger in a 1:1 substitution ratio.
Pumpkin Spice
Ginger is a popular ingredient in many recipes and drinks. However, pumpkin Spice is a favorite flavor; you can easily substitute ginger. It has a strong and spicy taste that is perfect for many dishes.
Pumpkin Spice is a spice you can use in many different dishes to give them a unique taste. It is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. It is typically used to flavor fall dishes.
How To Substitute
Replace ginger with pumpkin spice in a substitution ratio of 1:1.
Pickled Ginger
Pickled ginger is a great way to flavor your cooking with a spicy taste and is best served as a condiment. You can use pickled ginger to substitute raw ginger.
The pickling process preserves the ginger’s natural spice, making it less intense than fresh ginger. You can use pickled ginger in salads, soups, and stews to add a touch of heat.
How To Substitute
Start by adding a small amount to your recipe and increase it according to your requirement.
Store-Bought Frozen Ginger
Since raw Ginger and frozen Ginger are the same ingredients, their taste will be the same, making frozen ginger an easy substitute.
However, depending on when ginger has been frozen, it might lose its flavor a little bit, so you have to use it accordingly in your recipe.
How To Substitute
Use frozen ginger for fresh ginger in a ratio of 1:1 in your recipe for the best results.
Candied Ginger
Candied Ginger is a delicious sweet, spicy treat that you can use to substitute for ground ginger in many recipes.
Candied Ginger is an easy way to make ginger taste better and more enjoyable. It is quick and easy to prepare, and you may prepare it ahead of time to keep in the refrigerator.
How To Substitute
Use an equal amount of candied ginger to replace ground ginger; however, change ingredients if your recipe needs a specific flavor.
Ginger Juice
The health benefits of ginger are too many to list, but ginger is often used to relieve nausea and as a digestive aid. You can find it in fresh root or dried ginger powder, but you will find it in juice.
Ginger juice may help you fulfill the ginger shortening in your recipe. You may use soups, stews, marinades, and sauces.
How To Substitute
Use ginger juice instead of ground ginger in your recipe. You may add a small amount and then increase it per your recipe’s requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Ginger Powder Instead Of Fresh Ginger In Tea?
Yes, you can. You will not get quite the same effect and your drink may be slightly grainy or may not combine well. This is because the ginger powder will not dissolve into your water. For each cup of ginger tea you wish to produce, use ¼ to ½ teaspoons of ginger powder.
Is Ginger Healthy For You?
Yes, ginger is very healthy for you. There are a large number of proven health benefits and ginger has been a staple natural healer for centuries. Gingerol is the main active component and is responsible for the majority of the health benefits. As well as what we have already mentioned, ginger can also be used to fight the common cold and the flu.
Ginger is also believed to protect your body’s cells against damage by harmful free radicals. This is because ginger contains a number of antioxidants that are used to reduce oxidative stress in the body.
New research shows that ginger has great potential as an anti-diabetic treatment. Studies gave participants with type 2 diabetes 2 grams of ginger daily. The results showed that the fasting blood sugar levels in the group collectively dropped by 12% and improved hemoglobin A1c levels.
Is Powdered Ginger As Good As Fresh Ginger?
This depends upon what criteria you are judging by. Powdered ginger has a much longer shelf life than fresh ginger, making it a more convenient store cupboard staple. The manufacturing process that the ground ginger must undergo greatly reduces the concentration of gingerol found within the final product.
Gingerol is the active component found within ginger and is responsible for the majority of the health benefits ginger offers. There is another component in the plant known as shogaols. As the gingerol levels decrease, the manufacturing process increases the shogaol levels. These are believed to enhance cognitive abilities, memory, and generally increase positive health.
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