Ginger is a great spice and everyone knows about it. It has been used for many years for making medicines and culinary. If you are run out of Fresh Ginger/Ground Ginger right now, you don’t need to get anxious. There are lots of Ginger Substitute you can use in place of Ginger. First, you need to know about Ginger deeply before using any of its substitutes in your recipe.
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What is Ginger?
Ginger belongs to the root family. It is the most flavorful root ever. It is close relative to turmeric and Galangal. Its flavor is spicy and a bit sweet. Ginger has a strong aroma. It can be found as fresh ginger and ground ginger. Ginger is the most used spice in Asian cuisines. Ginger paste is an essential ingredient in many Indian recipes. The ginger paste can be stored for a week in the refrigerator. There are lots of health benefits of eating Ginger.
Nutrient Profile of Ginger:
- 4.8 calories
- 1.07 grams (g) of carbohydrate
- .12 g of dietary fiber
- .11 g of protein
- .05 g fat
- .1 g of sugar
Vitamins and minerals present in fresh ginger in trace amounts:
- Vitamin B3 and B6
- Iron
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Folate
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
Health Benefits of Ginger:
- Ginger is helpful to soothe an upset stomach.
- It also reduces blood pressure.
- It prevents the risk of cancer.
- Ginger also relieves menstrual cramps.
- Helps to prevent the common cough and cold.
What can You Substitute for Ginger?
We know that it’s not worth it to make any recipe without Ginger. What can you do if you run out of any type of Ginger? We have listed some best Ginger Substitutes here for you. You can choose according to what you have right now. All these substitutes can replace ginger without ruining your recipe/dish.
1. Ground Ginger:
If you are running out of fresh ginger, ground ginger would be the best substitute for fresh ginger. It is similar but in powdered form. It is less spicy than the fresh one. This is easily available in your pantry or your nearby grocery store. All the recipes/dishes that call for fresh ginger can be replaced by ground ginger. For every 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger use 1/2 tablespoon of ground ginger.
2. Allspice:
Allspice is an all-in-one flavor spice. It is also known as Jamaica Pepper. It comes from the dried unripe berry plant and is not a mix of spices. This is a bit spicy and peppery. It is available in almost every home and easily available in grocery stores. Use 1/2 tablespoon of Allspice as a replacement for ginger.
3. Candied Ginger/Crystallized Ginger:
Candies Ginger or Crystallized Ginger is prepared when ginger roots are cooked in sugar water and rolling it again in the sugar. This spicy and sweet delight becomes part of the dessert. This way you’ll all the health benefits of ginger. It helps to cure nausea and lowers the blood sugar level. You can also use Crystallized Ginger in place of ginger paste.
4. Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is the ideal substitute for ginger in every recipe. It is obtained from the skin of fragrant barks on the Cinnamon tree. It is usually used in Indian Cuisine. Cinnamon is the most popular spice in the world. It is also used in some coffee, latte, cakes, and other baked recipes/dishes.
5. Nutmeg:
Nutmeg is known for its sweetness and warmth. It can mimic ginger for certain recipes. It is a very strong spice and has a dominating aroma. Nutmeg is commonly used for its taste and aroma. It is mostly used in baked dishes/recipes such as potatoes, sausages, eggnog, and meats.
6. Mace:
A mace is obtained from the coating of the nutmeg. It is brownish-yellow in color. As you know Nutmeg is a great substitute for Ginger. So, it’s not shocking to know that the outer layer of Nutmeg is also a substitute for Ginger. It has a more sweet and more subtle taste than the nutmeg. It is used in some recipes like cookies, doughnuts, and cakes also. Use 1/2 tablespoon of mace in place of 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger. It is very effective even when it is used in small amounts.
7. Turmeric:
Ginger is very much related to the Turmeric root. So, the flavor of turmeric can be similar to ginger. Ground Turmeric is easy to find in stores. You need to buy turmeric roots from organic stores. It gives a warm bitter taste with a nice aroma to your meal. It also gives color to the dish/recipe. You can use ground turmeric in the same way that you would use ground ginger. You can use 1/4 teaspoon of grated turmeric roots as a substitute for Ginger.
8. Cardamom:
Cardamom has a different sweet aroma. It is healthy and nutritious. It is used in many dishes/recipes for flavor and a nice aroma. You can use an equal amount of Cardamom in place of Ginger. It is easy to swap Ginger with Cardamom.
9. Galangal:
Galangal looks almost similar to ginger. It’s a root used in South Asian cuisines. It may be hard to find in your nearby store until it’s an Asian or Indian grocery store. It belongs to the same family as ginger. The taste is also similar to ginger and turmeric. This Galangal root is good for cooking curries, stews, teriyaki, and other sauces. Galangal has a bit more strong taste than ginger, so it should be used in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.25 to adjust the taste of your recipe/dish.
10. Ginseng:
Another root is common in Asian cuisines known as Ginseng. It looks similar to Ginger and Galangal. You can replace Ginger with Ginseng root in various soups, salads, and fried or stirred recipes. Ginseng helps to boost your energy while Ginger has vitamins and minerals to make you healthy. You can use Ginseng in equal amounts to replace it in cooking.
11. Pumpkin Pie Spice:
Pumpkin Pie spice is made from a combination of allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. So, it can be used as an alternative to Ginger in many recipes. It may change the color of your recipe and taste as well. So, use half amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice in place of Ginger. It is a good substitute for powdered ginger.
12. Citrus Zest:
If you have orange or lemon at home right now, you can use its zest to replace fresh ginger in your recipe. The outer layer of lemon has become popular in a few decades because scientists have researched it and tell the many health benefits. If you run out of ginger paste, you can you lemon zest or orange zest in your recipe to give some tangy flavor and natural fragrance. Citrus Zest has a good nutrient profile. It contains some nutrients such as calcium, vitamins, and iron and makes the immune system stronger.
13. Lemongrass:
Lemongrass looks pale green and yellow and has a strong fragrance of citrus. It has a tarty taste with a kick of mint. Its flavor is stronger than the Ginger. We are suggesting you use a decent amount of Lemongrass in starting. You can find fresh Lemongrass at your nearby grocery stores. It can be easily available at organic stores. Lemongrass is used in many recipes like curry paste, stir-fry, teriyaki sauce, orange chicken, and even beverages.
FAQ:-
Which Ginger is the best?
Ginger must have shiny and taut skin. This kind of skin should be easily removed with your nails.
What is Ginger high in?
A substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties is known as gingerol present in Ginger.
What are Ginger and Lemon good for?
Having a cup of Ginger water with Lemon regularly helps to reduce nausea and inflammation and detoxify the body.
How much ground Ginger replaces stem Ginger?
If you're cooking a recipe that calls for stem Ginger, you should take 1/8 teaspoon of ground Ginger in place of every tablespoon of stem Ginger.
Now, you know the best Ginger Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also buy from amazon. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you. 🙂
