Spices are common ingredients in cooking that add additional taste, aroma, and flavor to your dish. Ginger is one of those spices that can be used both in sweet and savory dishes.
It is a root that is commonly used in Indian and Asian cuisines. It is harvested from the Zingiber official plant. There are different types of ginger that can be used as a substitute for each other.
Ginger is very specific and has peppery and sweet traces with a spicy aroma which makes it very unique. However, what if you don’t have any ginger and your recipe includes.
The best substitutes for ginger are Allspice, Ground Ginger, Candied Ginger, Cinnamon, Mace, Nutmeg, Turmeric, Cardamom, Galangal, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Ginseng.
Substitutes for Ginger
All of these products will add a nice touch to your meal as well as they will provide a nice aroma and scent that will make your meal mouthwatering and tasty that you’ll want to eat more. Use the proper amount when replacing or you can always adapt on how you please.
1. Allspice
Allspice or also known as Jamaica pepper is the first replacement that we recommend for ginger. It comes from an unripe berry plant that has a brown color and is turned into a powder.
Allspice resembles ginger because of the mildly spicy and sweet flavor. The name itself says that it reminds of various spices altogether.
You can use it to combine allspice with meats, stews or other vegetables and even soups. Use ½ to 1 teaspoon of allspice as a substitute for ginger.
2. Ground Ginger
If you are out of fresh ginger, then ground ginger is the next best thing to use instead. Actually, grounded ginger is not as spicy as the fresh one but the closest you can get to its taste. You can easily replace all the recipes that require fresh ginger.
Make sure not to use too much since ground ginger is a bit more concentrated than a fresh one. Use ½ teaspoon of ground ginger for every tablespoon of fresh ginger in your recipe.
3. Candied Ginger
Another variation to ginger is the candied ginger which will serve well in your meals. It is actually made by cooking the ginger root in sugar water and then rolling it again in sugar.
The candied ginger is sweeter than raw ginger. Meaning, it will work especially for baking goods. Use ½ cups of candied ginger for every teaspoon of ginger.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the ideal replacement for ginger in many recipes thanks to the sweet flavor. It’s very similar to ginger.
It’s made from the skins of the fragrant barks on the cinnamon tree and adds more richness and aroma to your meal. It is usually used in Indian cuisine and not just in sweet recipes.
However, you can also use it in savory dishes. When replacing it in recipes for ginger use ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon or adapt by your own taste.
5. Mace
Mace is another decent substitute for ginger in most recipes. This sweet, warm, and aromatic product will provide you nice tones and make your dish even tastier.
Mace is derived from Myristica fragrans, the coating of the nutmeg. You can use it as a way to replace ginger in baking, but also in some other savory dishes and with meat as well. When you are making the swap in your meal, use a ratio of 1:1.
6. Nutmeg
Ginger can be also replaced by a very similar product and that is Nutmeg. These sweet and spicy flavored seeds come from the nutmeg tree.
Replace ginger with nutmeg in sweet and savory dishes like pasta, meat, rice, eggs, or all other kinds of vegetables. Add a ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg for every tablespoon of ginger.
7. Turmeric
Something else that can be used as a way to replace ginger is turmeric. Both turmeric and ginger come from Asia and are commonly used in their cuisine.
Tumeric will give a warm bitter taste with a nice aroma to your meal. It will also provide a golden yellow color to your dish which looks amazing.
Interestingly, turmeric is one of the main ingredients in curry and gives an amazing color. You can use equal amounts to substitute for ginger in your recipes.
8. Cardamom
You can also use cardamom as a way to swap ginger in your cooking process. It has a specific aroma of fruity traces with almost like minty flavor.
Cardamom is healthy and nutritious. Use it to replace ginger in baking goods, with meat or other curries. Substitute equal amounts or adapt by your own taste.
9. Galangal
This may not be easy to find, but galangal is another way to replace ginger in your cooking. It is a root that is common for Southeast Asian cuisine.
It has a similar taste to ginger and turmeric. What makes them similar is that both ginger and galangal come from the same family.
When you do the swap in your recipe make sure to adjust it to your taste and use a ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.25 since galangal may have a bit stronger taste than ginger.
10. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin spice can also be considered as a way of substituting ginger. Actually, in its structure, pumpkin spice contains ginger with a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Keep in mind that when you use this spice that may have a slight effect on the color and the taste of your recipe. Use half of the amount that calls for ginger or adapt it.
11. Ginseng
Another root that is common in Asian cuisine is the ginseng root which can be used in cooking as a way to replace ginger. They look and taste similar. Ginseng has traces of sweetness and a bit of bitterness in its flavor.
You can replace ginger with ginseng root in various soups, salads, fried or stirred recipes. Ginger is healthier because it contains vitamins and minerals, while ginseng can increase your energy. Adapt by your own taste or use equal amounts to replace in cooking.
Ground Ginger Substitute
As we previously mentioned, ginger has many varieties, one of which is ground ginger. All the ginger varieties can serve as a substitute for each other but you can always use something else instead. Ground ginger is commonly used for baking goods or bread.
If you are out of ground ginger you can always use cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, or allspice. As they can be a good substitute for fresh ginger they can work for the ground one. Make sure to use 1 teaspoon to substitute for a teaspoon that calls in the recipe.
Related Questions
What can I substitute for ginger in a stir fry?
You can use allspice, nutmeg, or cinnamon. When you replace it in the recipe you can use equal amounts in all of your recipes or adapt by your own taste.
Is nutmeg a good substitute for Ginger?
Yes, it is. Nutmeg is another common spice that is used which can provide you similar results as if you have used ginger. You can use the nutmeg in savory or sweet dishes and use equal amounts.
Can I substitute ginger for turmeric?
Of course. Turmeric is another way to replace ginger in most recipes. It will provide you an amazing aroma and taste and add traces of sweetness.