Kaffir Lime Leaves are also known as Makrut Lime Leaves. Kaffir Lime Leaves are the key ingredient in many Thai and Malaysian cuisines. This is not an easy-to-find ingredient, but the aroma it gives to the recipe is incredible. You can use Kaffir Lime Leaves substitute in case you are unable to find these leaves nearby. We don’t recommend eating these leaves raw because these leaves are only used for cooking purposes.
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What are Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves?
Kaffir Lime is a citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia. Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves are responsible for the distinctive lime aroma and flavor. These leaves are mostly used in Thai and Malaysian cuisines. The leaves of Kaffir Lime tree are dark green in color with a glossy shine. There are lots of health benefits of Makrut Lime Leaves. You should know about Kaffir Lime Leaves’ health benefits we have listed below:
Health Benefits of Kaffir Lime Leaves:
- Kaffir Lime Leaves has anti-cancer properties.
- It may help to boost immunity.
- It may prevent infection.
- These leaves also promote digestive health.
- It also prevents liver toxicity.
What can I Substitute for Kaffir Lime Leaves?
If you are cooking a recipe that calls for Kaffir Lime Leaves, unfortunately, you don’t have it at the moment. We know that Kaffir Lime Leaves are not easy to find ingredients. You should use substitutes that resemble the same aroma as well as taste. Everyone knows that using a substitute to replace the main ingredient is not that much worth it, still makes sense in terms of taste and aroma. Here, we have the best substitute for Kaffir Lime Leaves that you can choose accordingly to what you have right now in the pantry/kitchen.
1. Dried Kaffir Lime Leaves:
The first option that comes to our mind is to use dried Kaffir Lime Leaves instead of fresh ones. The dried ones are stocked in plastic bags and can last for months. You can also find frozen Kaffir Lime Leaves. The quantity you should take depends on how much you need.
2. Fennel Seeds:
Fennel Seeds are a secret ingredient that you don’t want to reveal. Using Fennel Seeds in a recipe gives a tangy-sweet flavor with some notes of licorice and dill. These little seeds are becoming more and more popular every year. If you are looking for something new and want to try a different type of taste with Fennel Seeds. Just go ahead!
3. Coriander Roots:
Coriander Roots are elegant replacements for citrus-based dishes. These roots are compatible with onion and cumin in curry rice. The different flavor profiles of Coriander Roots enable a level of diversity that is sure to please a recipe.
4. Fresh Ginger Root:
Fresh Ginger Root can be a great Kaffir Lime Leaves substitute. You just have to peel off its tough outer skin and grate away its flesh. The flavor of Ginger is not the same as Kaffir Lime Leaves still, but it has a similarity in taste when used in a cooking recipe.
5. Bay Leaf:
Bay Leaves are one of the best Kaffir Lime Leaves substitutes. Bay Leaves are as pungent as Kaffir Lime Leaves and often used in savory dishes/recipes. You don’t get the same citrus flavor as Kaffir Lime Leaves, but it’ll add complexity to the recipe. If you really want to add some citrusy flavor then, you can use lemon or lime zest with bay leaves as a Kaffir Lime Leaves alternative.
6. Lime or Lemon Zest:
Lime or Lemon Zest is another Kaffir Lime Leaves replacement. The pungency both lime and lemon contain is required in most recipes/dishes. This substitute is easily available around you. The tanginess and bitterness of lime or lemon zest enhance the overall taste. The amount you should take is equal to 2 Kaffir Lime Leaves. Use zest in any Asian-made chicken or any other recipe. You can also use lemon or lime zest to flavor rice dishes/recipes.
7. Lemongrass:
Basically, lemongrass is an herb, used for medical purposes also. Lemongrass has a similar taste to lemon, but it also has a distinctive taste of its own. The crusty lemony flavor makes it different from other substitutes. Lemongrass is not as strongly flavorful as Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves, so use 1.5 times or more of the amount of Lemongrass as a Kaffir Lime Leaves replacement. Using Lemongrass more than the required amount won’t ruin the recipe because it has a light taste and aroma.
As we know Lemongrass is tough and hard to chew so remove the large pieces of lemongrass before serving. You can grate them into fine pieces if you don’t want to remove them later when serving.
8. Persian Limes:
Persian Limes are also known as Tahiti Limes. The great thing about Persian Limes is that there is no seed, so you can easily use them in a recipe. You just have to slice the lime and add it to the soup, stews, and other recipes. Once you use Persian Limes in a recipe, you’ll give a delicate touch to the recipe that makes your meal even tastier.
9. Thai Basil:
Thai Basil is an herb commonly used in many Asian cuisines. This delicate herb can easily fit into your recipe. You can use it in curries, noodles, and summer rolls. You can easily swap it whenever a recipe needs Kaffir Lime Leaves. Using small leaves of Thai Basil will be perfect for soups, sauces, or any other rice dishes.
10. Lemon Thyme:
Lemon Thyme is another herb that can be used to replace Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves. Lemon Thyme is the most used aromatic herb in cuisines. Regular Thyme is a bit more bitter than Lemon Thyme. The citrus flavor of Lemon Thyme makes it different from regular Thyme because the citrus flavor cuts the bitterness to a certain level. The tiny leaves can be used whole or chopped in all kinds of recipes such as soups, stews, and savory dishes.
11. Curry Leaves:
Curry Leaves come from the sweet neem tree. The taste makes a similarity between Kaffir Lime Leaves and Curry Leaves. These leaves are different from the lemon leaves and can not be eaten, so it’s good for you to remove all Curry Leaves from a recipe before serving. We know that curry leaves don’t provide the same pungent citrus taste, but add a nice touch to your recipe/dish. Using these leaves in Indian cuisines such as curries, and Indian rice is worth using.
12. Lime Juice:
Lime Juice is a perfect swap for Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves if you are making Thai Curry paste. This substitute may not work for every recipe.
FAQ:-
Why are Kaffir Lime Leaves so expensive?
Kaffir Lime Leaves are rare to find. The thing that makes it expensive is its harvesting process. The plant has long thorny branches and the handpicking process is also involved.
How to store Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves?
It's easy to store Kaffir (Makrut) Lime Leaves. You can store these leaves in an airtight container for up to two weeks or freeze them for up to six months.
Now, you know the best Kaffir Lime Leaves Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also purchase from Amazon. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you. 🙂
