If you’ve ever started a recipe only to discover you’re out of lemongrass, you’re definitely not alone. This fragrant herb is a staple in Southeast Asian cooking, adding a bright citrus flavor and subtle floral aroma to soups, curries, marinades, and noodle dishes.
While fresh lemongrass delivers a unique taste that’s difficult to replicate perfectly, several ingredients can serve as excellent lemongrass substitutes when you’re in a pinch.
Whether you’re making Thai curry, Vietnamese pho, or a flavorful chicken dish, knowing the best substitute for lemongrass can save your recipe without sacrificing too much flavor. The good news is that many common pantry and produce items can surprisingly mimic the fresh, citrusy notes of lemongrass.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best lemongrass substitute options, when to use them, and how to adjust quantities so your favorite recipes still taste delicious.
What Is Lemongrass and Why Is It Used?
Before choosing a substitute for lemongrass, it helps to understand what makes this ingredient special.
Lemongrass is a tropical grass widely used throughout Southeast Asia. The pale lower portion of the lemongrass stalk contains concentrated oils that provide a refreshing lemon-like flavor with hints of ginger and herbs. Unlike lemon juice alone, fresh lemongrass offers a more complex profile that combines citrus brightness with earthy undertones.
Many recipes call for one stalk of fresh lemongrass, finely chopped, bruised, or simmered to release its aroma. It appears frequently in Thai soups, Vietnamese dishes, curries, stir-fries, and marinades.
Because its flavor combines citrus, herbal, and ginger-like notes, the ideal lemongrass replacement often uses a combination of ingredients rather than a single substitute.
Fresh Lemongrass vs. Dried Lemongrass
When fresh lemongrass isn’t available, dried lemongrass is often the easiest alternative.
Dried lemongrass retains much of the herb’s characteristic aroma, although the flavor is usually less vibrant than that of fresh lemongrass. It works particularly well in soups, broths, teas, and slow-cooked dishes where it has time to rehydrate.
As a general rule, use about one teaspoon of dried lemongrass for every fresh lemongrass stalk called for in a recipe. Since dried herbs tend to be more concentrated, a little goes a long way.
If your recipe requires the texture of fresh lemongrass, however, another substitute may be a better choice.
Lemongrass Paste: The Closest Lemongrass Substitute
One of the best substitutes for lemongrass is lemongrass paste.
Made from processed lemongrass and seasonings, lemongrass paste offers a flavor profile very similar to fresh stalks. It’s widely available in grocery stores and can be stored conveniently in the refrigerator.
A common guideline is to use one tablespoon of lemongrass paste to replace one stalk of fresh lemongrass. This makes it an excellent substitute for lemongrass paste in recipes that rely heavily on authentic flavor.
For anyone wondering whether they can substitute lemongrass paste for stalk ingredients, the answer is usually yes. In soups, curries, sauces, and marinades, the results are often remarkably close.
Kaffir Lime Leaves and Makrut Lime Leaves
Kaffir lime leaves, also known as makrut lime leaves, are among the most popular alternatives to lemongrass in Thai cooking.
These aromatic lime leaves contribute a bold citrus fragrance that complements many of the same dishes that traditionally use lemongrass. While they don’t provide the herbaceous notes of a lemongrass stalk, they deliver a similar freshness that works beautifully in curries, soups, and coconut-based dishes.
For best results, add two or three kaffir lime leaves in place of one stalk of lemongrass. The leaves are usually removed before serving, much like bay leaves.
If you’re searching for a substitute for lemongrass in Thai cooking, makrut lime leaves are often your best option.
Lemon Zest and Fresh Ginger Combination
A mixture of lemon zest and fresh ginger is one of the most accessible substitutes for lemongrass for home cooks.
Freshly grated ginger contributes the warm, slightly spicy element found in lemongrass, while lemon zest supplies the bright citrus aroma. Together, they recreate many of the flavor notes that make lemongrass unique.
A common substitution is one teaspoon of lemon zest combined with a half teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to replace one stalk of fresh lemongrass.
This combination works especially well in soups, stir-fries, marinades, and chicken recipes. If you have wondered how much lemon zest to use as a substitute for lemongrass, this ratio provides an excellent starting point.
Lemon Verbena Leaves
Lemon verbena leaves are another excellent alternative to lemongrass.
Known for their intense lemon fragrance, lemon verbena leaves offer a clean citrus flavor without the acidity of lemon juice. Because of their delicate profile, they’re particularly useful in sauces, broths, and seafood dishes.
Many cooks consider lemon verbena leaves a close substitute for fresh lemongrass. Although the flavor lacks some of the ginger-like complexity, the citrus aroma is remarkably similar.
When substituting, use several fresh leaves in place of one stalk of lemongrass and adjust according to taste.
Lemon Balm Leaves and Fresh Lemon Balm
Fresh lemon balm and lemon balm leaves can also serve as a suitable substitute.
As a member of the mint family, lemon balm provides a gentle lemon aroma with subtle herbal undertones. While it isn’t as potent as lemongrass, it adds a fresh flavor that pairs well with lighter dishes.
Fresh lemon balm is especially useful in salads, seafood recipes, teas, and delicate broths. If you’re looking for a milder lemongrass alternative, lemon balm may be a great choice.
Because the flavor is less concentrated, you may need several leaves to achieve the desired result.
Lime Zest and Lime Juice
Lime zest and lime juice are simple substitutes that many cooks already have on hand.
Lime zest contributes fragrant citrus oils, while a small amount of lime juice adds brightness. Together, they mimic some of the fresh qualities associated with lemongrass.
Use the zest sparingly, as too much can overwhelm a dish. A combination of lime zest and a small splash of lime juice works particularly well in curries, marinades, and noodle dishes.
Although this substitution lacks the herbal depth of fresh lemongrass, it can rescue a recipe when other alternatives aren’t available.
Coriander Stalks and Other Creative Alternatives
In some recipes, finely chopped coriander stalks can provide a fresh herbal note that complements other citrus ingredients.
While coriander stalks alone are not a direct replacement, combining them with lemon zest or lime zest can create a more balanced lemongrass substitute. This approach is especially useful in soups and savory dishes where fresh herbs already play a prominent role.
Some cooks also experiment with lemongrass powder, although its intensity varies significantly between brands. If using lemongrass powder, start with a small amount and adjust gradually.
Which Lemongrass Substitute Works Best?
The best substitute for lemongrass depends on the type of dish you’re preparing.
For authentic Southeast Asian cooking, lemongrass paste and kaffir lime leaves are often the closest replacements. For everyday cooking, a combination of lemon zest and fresh ginger is affordable, accessible, and highly effective.
If you’re making soups or curries, makrut lime leaves can provide an excellent citrus aroma. For lighter recipes, lemon verbena leaves or fresh lemon balm may offer the perfect touch.
No substitute perfectly replicates fresh lemongrass, but these alternatives can help preserve the intended flavor profile of your favorite recipes.
Final Thoughts
Running out of lemongrass doesn’t mean abandoning your recipe. From lemongrass paste and dried lemongrass to lemon zest, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves, there are plenty of effective substitutions available.
The key is understanding which aspects of lemongrass flavor your dish needs most. Some recipes rely on its citrus flavor, while others benefit from its herbal complexity or subtle ginger notes. By selecting the right combination of ingredients, you can create delicious dishes even when fresh lemongrass isn’t available.
The next time you find yourself searching for a substitute for lemongrass, you’ll have several reliable options ready to keep your cooking on track.
FAQ
Lemongrass paste is generally considered the best substitute for fresh lemongrass because it closely mimics its flavor and aroma. A mixture of lemon zest and fresh ginger is another excellent option.
You can use lemon juice in a pinch, but it only provides acidity and citrus flavor. It lacks the herbal and ginger-like notes found in fresh lemongrass. Combining lemon juice with fresh ginger often produces better results.
Kaffir lime leaves, also known as makrut lime leaves, are among the best substitutes for lemongrass in Thai cooking. They contribute a similar citrus aroma and pair well with curries, soups, and coconut-based dishes.
A common guideline is one teaspoon of lemon zest combined with about half a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to replace one stalk of fresh lemongrass.
Yes. In most recipes, one tablespoon of lemongrass paste can replace one stalk of fresh lemongrass. This works particularly well in curries, soups, marinades, and sauces.
Yes. Dried lemongrass works well in soups, broths, and slow-cooked dishes. Typically, one teaspoon of dried lemongrass can replace one fresh stalk, though you may need to adjust according to taste.
