Ji Eun Kim
Ginger is a very popular spice because it has very many applications. You can use it in drinks or grate on your favourite dishes, bake bread or make a tasty salad dressing. There are endless recipe ideas that can involve the use of ginger. This spice is also used as a traditional remedy for motion or nausea sickness.
Apart from making food taste good, ginger has a lot of health benefits. It bioactive compounds and nutrients that are very beneficial to the brain and the body. Ginger contains a compound known as Gingerol which contains lots of medicinal properties. Another health benefit is that it treats many types of nausea such as morning sickness. Many different studies have pointed out that this spice has helped many pregnant women in reducing nausea symptoms.
Best substitutes for ginger
1. Allspice
Allspice tops our list in the best substitutes for ginger. It is an integral member of Caribbean cuisine and it’s also known as Jamaican pepper. Allspice is obtained from P. dioica plant. The berries of this plant are dried and then ground into powder before being used in the kitchen. It has a mild sweet-spicy flavor just like ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
It’s named allspice because it has a reminiscent flavor of many spices. Allspice is a great spice especially when it comes to the preparation of all varieties of meats. Furthermore, it’s an ideal spice for vegetables, such as carrots, spinach, squash, cabbage, and even soups. Use ½ teaspoon of allspice while cooking.
Apart from its great taste, allspice has a lot of health benefits in our bodies. For instance, it contains many medicinal compounds such as Eugenol, Quercitin, Gallic acid, and Ericifolin. All these compounds are very useful especially when it comes to controlling blood sugar, preventing heart disease and relieving topical pain. Other additional health benefits of Allspice include relieving gas, bloating and menopause. This spice is also widely available in the supermarkets and most grocery stores hence making a good replacement for ginger.
Summary
Allspice is a great substitute for ginger thanks to the similarity in taste. Furthermore, these two spices are widely available and are easy to use with many types of recipes.
2. Mace
Mace has a sweet and aromatic flavor just like ginger, allspice, and cinnamon. This spice is derived from a special species known as Myristica fragrans. Although nutmeg is also derived from this species, mace is more delicate and subtle. It has a bright red coating. You can use this spice for baking cakes, cookies, and donuts. Mace is mostly used for baking but it can also be used to prepare other foods such as cheese, eggs, vegetables, and sausages.
Mace is not only a good substitute for ginger in terms of taste but also health benefits. Besides that, it has very many active ingredients such as volatile oils, resins, fixed oils, sugar, and proteins. The volatile oil present in medicine is responsible for its high medicinal properties. Please note that you should only consume less than a teaspoon of mace because of its high concentration of volatile oils.
The main health benefits of mace include
- Digestive health
- Prevention and cancer treatment
- Alleviates anxiety
- Pain relief
- Breath freshener
Summary
Mace is one of the best alternatives for ginger because they share the same taste and flavor. It has high medicinal properties and can be easily found in your nearest supermarket or grocery store.
3. Nutmeg
Nutmeg has a spicy-sweet flavor just like other species from Myristica fragrans. It is obtained from the nutmeg tree. You can use fresh nutmeg that has been obtained from the tree for cooking. Nutmeg can be grated or ground so as to match different kinds of a recipe just like Ginger. It is suitable for flavoring different types of dishes. For example, it blends well with lamb meat, pasta, rice, eggs, sausages and all kinds of vegetables.
This spice offers a lot of health benefits. For example, it contains very powerful antioxidants that help to protect your body cells against any damage. In addition, nutmeg also contains anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is responsible for adverse health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Nutmeg also contains some antibacterial properties which help to prevent certain conditions such as gum disease and dental cavities.
4. Cinnamon
Just like ginger, cinnamon has a sweet and warm flavor. So you can use this spice a replacement of ginger. This spice is derived from the barks of cinnamon trees. The inner part of this bark is dried and then used to prepare various types of dishes. Note that this spice is used in both sticks and powdered form. The sticks generally measure 2-6 inches long.
½ tsp of cinnamon powder is enough to prepare stews, chicken, and lamb. In addition, this spice can be very useful when it comes to preparing other types of dishes such as rice, bread, pastries, and cakes. Cinnamon sticks are also used to add flavor in Asian curries.
Cinnamon is highly nutritious just like other substitutes for ginger. For instance, it’s loaded with a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory diseases. Cinnamon also has other medicinal compounds and properties that help in the regulation of blood and also cutting the risk of heart disease. Another important health benefit is that it can protect you against cancer.
Summary
Cinnamon makes a good substitute for ginger because of its sweet and warm flavor. Besides that, this spice is widely available in supermarkets and groceries.
5. Cardamom
Cardamom can be used as a substitute for ginger in terms of taste. This spice has an intense but yet slightly sweet flavor. You can use a lesser amount of cardamom than ginger in your recipes. Cardamom is easily accessible in the supermarkets and also the groceries. Cardamom originates from India but has been embraced by the whole world.
It is packed with a lot of nutrients that bring lots of health benefits. The first health benefit of this spice is that it can lower your blood pressure thanks to its antioxidant and diuretic properties. Furthermore, cardamom also contains cancer-fighting compounds. It also has some inflammatory effects that can protect you from chronic diseases.
Summary
Cardamom can be a great substitute for cardamom. This spice is easily accessible and also has a lot of health benefits. So if you are allergic to ginger or don’t have any left in your pantry then you can try using Cardamom.
Summary Table
| Substitute | Flavor Profile | Texture | Best Used In | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allspice | Warm, pungent, reminiscent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg | Ground powder | Baking, sauces, meat rubs | Dried unripe berries of Pimenta dioica |
| Mace | Aromatic, slightly sweet, similar to nutmeg | Ground or whole spice | Baking, sauces, desserts | Outer covering of nutmeg seeds |
| Nutmeg | Warm, nutty, slightly sweet | Whole seeds or ground | Baking, sweet and savory dishes | Seeds of Myristica fragrans tree |
| Cinnamon | Sweet, warm, slightly spicy | Ground or sticks | Baking, desserts, beverages | Bark of Cinnamomum trees |
| Cardamom | Aromatic, citrusy, slightly sweet | Whole pods or ground seeds | Baking, desserts, savory dishes | Seeds from Elettaria cardamomum plant |
FAQs
What can I use instead of stem ginger in baking?
If you don’t have stem ginger, you can use regular ground ginger or fresh ginger as substitutes. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture might be slightly different.
What does ginger do in baking?
Ginger adds a warm and slightly spicy flavor to baked goods. It can also provide a pleasant aroma and depth of flavor to various recipes.
What root is similar to ginger?
Turmeric root is somewhat similar to ginger in appearance, but it has a distinct flavor profile. Galangal is another root that is related to ginger and has a similar appearance but offers a more intense and citrusy taste.
What spice is most similar to ginger?
The spice that is most similar to ginger in terms of flavor is probably ground turmeric. However, it’s important to note that turmeric has a more intense and earthy taste compared to ginger’s spiciness.
