Top 5 Galangal Substitutes: Replace Spice In Your Recipe

Galangal is a unique ingredient, and not many people know about it. It is also not commonly available in supermarkets. You may find it in some Asian stores or places where the vendors keep other Asian food items. If you are one of them who knows about galangal and actually use it in your recipes, you have all my heart. However, if you are unable to find it, here are the best five replacement of galangal. The best part is you may already have these ingredients in your kitchen. Even if you don’t, these products can be found easily in any nearby supermarket. Also, they are inexpensive and convenient to use. Let’s start with the most favorite ones.

Top 5 Galangal Substitutes

Cooking Ingredients That Can be Used as Galangal Substitute

1. Ginger

Whenever you need the best replacement of galangal, go for the ginger. It will never fail you and provide the flavor you are looking for. Generally, galangal has a spicy and a bit minty flavor. You may taste menthol in it while ginger has a sweet and a bit peppery taste than the galangal. If you use 50 grams of galangal in the making of some recipes, you should use 100 grams of ginger. Apart from that, you will notice that there is no such difference between the taste and you can cover it with ginger. 

If you still think that ginger is not giving the taste, you wanted in your recipes, and you can also add fresh lime leaves along with ginger. You may find this combination best as a galangal replacement. Apart from that, you can try dry ginger or ginger powder while making rice or certain curries. But keep in mind that the powder form is not as powerful as the fresh galangal. So, either use fresh ginger or a large quantity of ginger powder to get the best taste.

2. Fingerroot

If you don’t like ginger or even it is not available in your kitchen, then you can try Fingerroot. Galangal, ginger, or fingerroot, all are members of the same family. When we talk about fingerroot, it includes a long, carrot-shaped finger. Its color is slightly brown with a pinch of orange. Galangal has a bent and twisted appearance. Because of the color and shape, the fingerroot doesn’t look like galangal, but it contains a pungent flavor. 

Many people in Asia use it as medicine. However, you will find it as an essential spice in Thai and Cambodian cooking. Authentic Thai families use fingerroot in fish curries to neutralize excessively fishy flavors. Just like ginger, fingerroot also contains more intense flavors compared to galangal. Because of the high intensity, you will need just a half amount of fingerroot to add flavor. 

3. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is also one of the most commonly used galangal root substitutes. It is basically a plant that is useful in the making of medicine. It is widely available, and many Asians use it as a spice. When you want to make some extraordinary tea or even some soups, add a pinch of lemongrass as a galangal replacement. You may feel that its smell and taste resembles citrus lemons, but it tastes fantastic. You can also grow it in your balcony or backyard. I personally love to drink lemongrass tea.

4. Black or White Pepper

You know that peppers can be used to make the dishes spicier. White and black, both peppers have a different taste. So, you have to use it as per your judgment and requirement of the recipe you are making. Adding pepper will not give the exact same flavor of galangal, but will surely help to give some beautiful blend. If you don’t want to add even a bit of citrus notes, then try white pepper for the sharp and peppery taste.

5. Mace and Cinnamon

Another galangal substitute is mace and cinnamon, both together. They will simply replicate the flavor notes of galangal. Well, I know what are you thinking! And yes, you are right that neither mace nor cinnamon is related to galangal or with each other. But, do you know that their combined flavors are capable enough to replace all the complexity of galangal. They also provide the peppery warmth and subtle spiciness. Apart from that, they both include a mild citrus flavor that makes quite perfect.  

Other Alternatives 

Many food experts suggest storing galangal powder and galangal paste for the most available substitute for the fresh galangal spice. Some people also use kaffir lime leaves as it can deliver a fantastic note of citrus and add a lovely citrusy fragrance to any soup or curry. If you are a foodie and love to travel in various places, then visit Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These countries serve some of the best Asian cuisines, where you can find the most amazing flavors and spices.