How to Substitute for Ginger in Stir-Fry (with 3 Healthy Options!)
Ginger is a flavorful and spicy root that is often used in stir-fries because of its amazing health benefits. However, it can be difficult to find or use ginger if you are unable to find it at the grocery store, live in an area where the cost of ginger is too high, or simply don’t like the flavor.
Luckily, there are several other spices that can substitute for ginger! All three substitutes have their own unique flavors and health benefits.
You can use these options when cooking your favorite Asian dish or switch up your routine with a new dish entirely! Here are three healthy substitutes for ginger in your next stir-fry!
Ginger is a root herb used in Chinese cooking, Indian cuisine, Thai cuisine, and Korean cooking. It is native to Southeast Asia and the Himalayan mountains of India.
Ginger comes in many different forms. Most ginger is harvested from the root. However, some varieties are grown from the shoots that are then cut off by hand.
They are then dried to preserve them for later use. The resulting dried ginger pieces are sold in health food stores or Asian markets.
The other form of ginger is fresh ginger that comes directly from the roots of a plant growing inside a tree. This type of ginger has its own unique flavor and can be found at Asian markets or online at Amazon .
There are also several types of fresh ginger! These include:
1.) Ginger Root (which is more commonly known as “zhi zhi”) – this variety grows wild in cold mountain regions like China, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan;
2.) Fresh Ginger (which can be found in health food stores;
3.) Ginger Chilis – these come from either fresh or dried chilies;
4.) Fresh Cherimoya (a sweet pink fruit) – commonly found in tropical areas like Thailand and Laos;
5.)
Substitutes for ginger
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice that has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal agent. It acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent. It has been found to be effective in treating joint pain, menstrual pain, and more!
Turmeric can replace ginger in your stir-fry recipes because it doesn’t have the same strong flavor that ginger does. Plus, turmeric has a surprising amount of nutritional value compared to other spices.
In fact, you’ll find that it has more minerals than some fruits! This makes it an excellent substitute for ginger in your stir-fry dishes!
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is used to flavor foods. It’s considered an important part of the Indian spice family because of its many medicinal benefits, but it also has a bright yellow color.
Turmeric is one of the most popular spices since it will not burn on high heat and can be used in nearly every type of food.
Turmeric is often added to curries or stir-fries to give them that bright yellow color without burning them, but cooks don’t have to use turmeric on their own.
Turmeric can be found in almost any grocery store, so if you’re unable to find it, don’t feel bad! Many health food stores carry ground turmeric as well.
Turmeric has a very unique flavor and can add a bright yellow color in your food when paired with other ingredients.
You can make a delicious curry by using turmeric instead of ginger in both the curry paste and the curried chicken! The vibrant hue will make your dish stand out from the crowd.
Cumin
Cumin is a commonly used spice in the Middle East and North Africa. It is an essential part of many dishes, but it works well for stir-fries too! Cumin has a strong flavor that’s great for adding to your favorite Asian dish! It’s also great paired with other spices like chili powder or cayenne pepper.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that can be found in many different dishes. It’s an amazing flavor enhancer and food ingredient that is commonly used in baked goods and creams and pastries.
It’s also a great substitute for ginger when you’re trying to use up your cinnamon sticks or plan on adding it to your stir-fry recipe!