Substitute for Ginger: 14 Fantastic Alternatives to This Unique Condiment
Updated on March 2, 2023
Ginger adds a sweet and savory flavor to meals, which is often hard to replicate. If you’re looking for the best substitute for ginger, keep reading to discover 14 excellent alternatives!
The peppery taste with sweet notes and spicy aroma makes ginger indispensable in cooking. Besides, it has many health benefits.
Unless you grow ginger at home, you might be looking for alternatives to this unique condiment. Thankfully, ginger occurs in many forms, and many of them can be used to replace this spice in cooking.
This article lists some of the best substitutes for ginger to use in your dishes, together with brief descriptions and ratio recommendations. These alternatives include nutmeg, pumpkin spice, turmeric, mace, cinnamon, and allspice.
But first, let’s take a closer look at the ginger flavor profile.
Ginger’s Flavor Profile
Regarding flavor, ginger is one of the most complex spices, which you can use in both sweet and savory dishes.
This condiment has a unique flavor profile and fragrant aroma: spicy with a strong zing kick, earthy and woody aroma, floral fragrance, and peppery undertones.It also has a warming effect and an intense taste.
When tasting ginger, the first thing that kicks in is the tart, spicy and tangy kick, which is immediately followed by a warm and tingling sensation.You will notice the floral, exotic fragrance, subtle sweetness, and lingering ginger aroma.
The flavor profile of ginger is challenging to replicate, but not impossible.
In the next section, let’s discover the best substitutes for ginger.
The Best Substitute for Ginger: 14 Excellent Alternatives
The top substitutes for fresh ginger are ground ginger, candied ginger, ginger paste, frozen ginger, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, turmeric, cardamom, galangal, pumpkin spice, ginseng, and lemongrass.
Let’s get started with ground ginger.
1. Ground Ginger
Ground ginger is an excellent substitute for ginger and works just like fresh ginger. The only difference is that it’s less spicy.
The taste of ground ginger is quite similar to the one of the fresh vegetable. But ground ginger is a bit more concentrated.
When replacing fresh ginger with ground ginger, use the 2:1 ratio. For example, replace a tablespoon of fresh ginger with half a tablespoon of ground ginger.
In the next section, let’s take a look at candied ginger.
2. Candied Ginger
Candied ginger is another fantastic substitute for ginger. It’s made by cooking fresh ginger in sugar and water before rolling the pieces again in sugar and storing them.
Ginger candies are sweeter than fresh ginger, making them ideal for baked goods.
When replacing raw ginger with candied ginger, stick to the 2:1 ratio.For instance, replace a tablespoon of raw ginger with half a tablespoon of candied ginger.
In the next section, let’s look over ginger paste.
3. Ginger Paste
Also known as pureed ginger, ginger paste is a decent substitute for ginger.
Ginger paste is usually preserved in oil, so you must adjust the amount of oil in your cooking accordingly.
When replacing raw ginger with ginger paste, use a tablespoon of ginger paste for every 1 inch of raw ginger.
In the next section, let’s check out frozen ginger.
4. Frozen Ginger
Frozen ginger is a great substitute for ginger since it’s basically the same vegetable in frozen form.
Frozen ginger has the same unique flavor profile as fresh ginger.However, depending on how long the vegetable has been in the freezer, it might lose some flavor.
When replacing fresh ginger with its frozen counterpart, apply the 1:1 ratio. So use a tablespoon of frozen ginger for every tablespoon of fresh ginger.
In the next section, let’s look into allspice.
5. Allspice
Also known as Jamaican pepper, allspice is an awesome substitute for ginger. It’s made from dried brown berries of the Pimenta Dioica tree.
Allspice has a unique taste, almost a cumulative of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It also has an even balance of spiciness and sweetness with a classic minty aftertaste.
When replacing ginger with allspice, apply the 2:1 ratio. For example, for every tablespoon of ginger, use half a tablespoon of allspice.
Use allspice to replace ginger in stews, meat, and vegetable broths.
In the next section, let’s check out cinnamon.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon work well as ginger substitutes. This is a spice derived from the skin of the cinnamon tree bark.
Cinnamon has a sweet, spicy, and slightly minty flavor like ginger. It’s a popular ingredient in chicken and lamb stews, Asian dishes, and baked goods like pastries and cakes.
If your recipe requires ginger, you can use cinnamon without worrying about losing the flavor.
When using ground cinnamon to replace ground ginger, stick to the 1:1 ratio. So for every tablespoon of ground ginger, use a tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
When using cinnamon powder in place of fresh ginger, apply the 1:2 ratio. For example, use half a tablespoon of cinnamon powder for every tablespoon of fresh ginger.
In the next section, let’s look into nutmeg.
7. Nutmeg
Nutmeg has the same flavor profile as ginger, which is why it is used as a substitute for ginger in many recipes, such as sweet dishes, confections, and baked goods.
Derived from the seeds of the tropical trees in the Mystica Fragrans family, nutmeg is sweet and spicy with a slightly nutty taste. Compared to ginger, nutmeg is slightly sweeter and less spicy.
If you’re making a sweet dish that requires ginger, use less nutmeg instead. But if you’re preparing a spicy dish, add a hot spice like chili powder to dilute the sweet taste of nutmeg.
When replacing ground ginger with nutmeg, apply the 4:1 ratio. So, forevery tablespoon of ground ginger, use ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg.
When replacing fresh ginger with ground nutmeg, use the 8:1 ratio. Specifically, for every tablespoon of ginger, use ⅛ tablespoon of ground nutmeg.
In the next section, let’s check out mace.
8. Mace
Derived from the red outer coating of the nutmeg, mace is a fantastic substitute for ginger.
Mace has a sweet, warm, and mellow flavor. It’s sweeter than nutmeg, primarily used in baked goods like doughnuts, cookies, and cakes.
You can use mace to prepare spice blends in curries, meats, sauces, and stews. Just remember that it turns bitter when overcooked, so it’s best to use it at the end of the cooking process.
When replacing ginger with mace in sweet and spicy dishes, stick to the 2:1 ratio. So for every tablespoon of ground ginger, use half a tablespoon of mace.
When replacing freshly grated ginger with mace, apply the 4:1 ratio. So you should use ¼ tablespoon of mace for every tablespoon of fresh ginger.
In the next section, let’s look into turmeric.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric is a great substitute for ginger. It’s a bitter spice with warm undertones, commonly used in Asian dishes.
Turmeric is bright yellow, mainly used in curry. It’s best to use it in foods that don’t require the sweetness of ginger since turmeric isn’t sweet. Its flavor is strong, though, best suited for chicken, rice, curry, and stews.
When replacing ginger with turmeric, apply the 1:1 ratio. So use one tablespoon of turmeric for every tablespoon of ginger.
In the next section, let’s check out cardamom.
10. Cardamom
Cardamomis a good substitute for ginger. It’s a complex spice with a sweet, citrusy flavor. Its aroma is almost methanol-like, and the condiment can be used in sweet and savory dishes to complement their flavor.
You can use cardamom in recipes like sausages, pork, lentils, curries, and even teas.
When replacing ginger with cardamom, apply the 1:1 ratio. So, for 1 tablespoon of ginger, use 1 tablespoon of cardamom.
In the next section, let’s look into galangal.
11. Galangal
Galangal is a fantastic substitute for ginger. It’s a spice that closely resembles ginger since it’s also a root. You can buy it from most Asian stores.
Galangal has a fresh, sweet, and spicy taste like ginger. But its flavor is sharper, spicier, and peppery.
When replacing ginger with fresh or ground galangal, stick to the 3:1 ratio. So, for every tablespoon of ground or fresh ginger, use ¾ tablespoon of galangal.
In the next section, let’s check out pumpkin spice.
12. Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin spice is an excellent substitute for ginger, thanks to its rich flavor and aroma. It’s a blend of different spices, including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.
When replacing ginger with pumpkin spice, stick to the 1:1 ratio. So, for every tablespoon of ginger, use a tablespoon of pumpkin spice.
You can use pumpkin spice in most recipes that call for ginger, but it works particularly well in baked goods.
In the next section, let’s look into ginseng.
13. Ginseng
Ginseng is a decent substitute for ginger. It’s a root spice commonly used in Asian cuisines.
Ginseng has a sweet and bitter aroma, mainly used in fried rice, curries, soups, stir-fries dishes, and salads.
When replacing ginger with ginseng, use the 1:1 ratio. So, for every tablespoon of ginger, use a tablespoon of ginseng.
In the next section, let’s check out lemongrass.
14. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an excellent substitute for ginger. It has an intense citrusy lemon-like aroma, a peppery taste, and a hint of minty freshness.
You can use lemongrass to replace ginger in a 1:2 ratio since lemongrass has a strong fragrance.
In the next section, you can find out more about ginger and its substitutes.
Substitute for Ginger (FAQ)
Discover more information about ginger and its substitutes.
What can I use instead of ginger in stir-fry dishes?
Nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice are decent ginger substitutes in stir-fry dishes. When using them to replace ginger, use a 1:1 ratio and only add more if you are not satisfied with the taste.
Is nutmeg a good ginger substitute?
Nutmeg is an excellent ginger substitute. It provides similar results as ginger and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes in a 1:1 ratio.
How can I store ginger?
You can store ginger in an airtight container in the refrigerator and keep it fresh for about 1 week. It’s also possible to freeze ginger root to store it longer.
The next and final section summarizes the entire article on ginger substitutes.
Substitute for Ginger (Summary)
To review, you can replicate fresh ginger in your recipes by turning to ground ginger, candied ginger, ginger paste, frozen ginger, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, turmeric, cardamom, galangal, pumpkin spice, ginseng, and lemongrass.
What’s your favorite substitute for ginger? How do you use it in your recipes? Let us know in the comments below!