Fresh ginger is a healthy and popular ingredient for many types of recipes, but what do you do if you run out and need a substitution? We have listed the best alternatives for fresh ginger and how they can be used.

What Is Fresh Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome (ginger root) is used as a cooking spice.

Fresh ginger is called for in many recipes, and it’s one of the healthiest spices used in many types of cuisines around the world.

Particularly in Asian cuisine, ginger is a crucial ingredient for many big recipes which can impact flavor and taste.

One of the reasons why this ingredient is so popular because the flavor of fresh ginger is spicy and sweet which can be ideal for many comforting dishes, and it’s even good for beverages like ginger tea or ginger beer.

Uses

Ginger is used a cooking spice and also in traditional medicine due to its health benefits and medicinal properties.

Throughout the world, fresh ginger is used in many recipes, and it’s a very versatile ingredient.

Here are some examples:

• Stir-fry
• Curry
• Ginger flapjacks
• Gingerbread
• Ginger beer
• Cake
• Ginger ice cream
• Apple pudding
• Ginger tea
• Spice blends

Health Benefits

Ginger is one of the healthiest spices and there are many proven health benefits according to research.

Notably, it’s great for digestion can help fight infections, and can help lower blood sugar levels.

Substitutes For Fresh Ginger

While you can use ginger in various ways, fresh ginger is often called for because of its fresh flavor which can be ideal for dishes like stir-fry or curry.

However, if you don’t have fresh ginger, there are a number of substitutes that you can use.

Some substitutes can be ideal for particular or certain dishes which is why we will explain each option below.

Ginger Paste

For most recipes, especially in Asian cuisine, the ginger paste is a fine replacement for fresh ginger which is simply blended ginger with oil.

In fact, ginger paste can help you save time and can be a convenient ingredient for many recipes which is why we often use it for batch cooking or meal prep recipes.

Most ginger pastes will last a long time in your pantry, and you will only need to use a little portion because it’s very strong.

Ground Ginger

For the majority of the recipes which call for fresh ginger, you can easily substitute it for ground ginger which is very versatile.

Ground ginger is a fine powder that is easy to buy and store in your spice cabinet, which means most households will have this available.

For baked recipes, ground ginger is a fine ingredient, while for spicy recipes like chicken curry or stir-fry, this alternative works perfectly well.

Also, ground ginger is a great addition to many spice blends and dry rubs which you can use for chicken.

Minced Ginger

Minced ginger, which looks similar to ginger paste, is another great substitution that is less strong and concentrated compared to ginger paste.

As a result, you will need to use more because mined ginger often contains sugar and is diluted.

However, it’s great for stir-fry recipes and many other popular Asian recipes. Additionally, minced ginger is good for bakes recipes due to the sweetness.

Pickled Ginger

Pickled ginger, which is often known as sushi ginger, specifically called for in this type of recipe and is often enjoyed in between sushi courses to cleanse the palate.

Therefore, it’s a very specific ingredient that might not work with most recipes, however, it can be a great substitution for fresh ginger for some Asian recipes and marinades.

Grated Ginger

Grated ginger is another variation and a good replacement for fresh ginger which is indeed very similar to minced ginger.

The main difference is that many grated ginger products will contain more sugar and vinegar to help keep it preserved for longer.

Crystallized Ginger

Also referred to as candied ginger, this alternative can be used as a sweetener for certain recipes.

Although it’s completely different from fresh ginger in terms of flavor and taste, crystallized ginger is great for many baked recipes when you’re looking for the additional kick.