Place dried lemongrass leaves in glass jars or other airtight containers. Store the jars or containers in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a kitchen pantry or cupboard, to preserve their flavor. What is the Shelf Life of Dried Lemongrass? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The lemon and chopped ginger are more concentrated than a whole stalk that is hanging out in your soup and slowly imparting citrus flavor. As the name suggests, lemongrass has a scent and flavour similar to that of a lemon, but there are also some noticeable differences. Lemongrass has a lighter, more herbal flavour, with hints of ginger and mint, and even a suggestion of floral notes. It doesn’t lose its flavour when cooked for long periods of time, making it a welcome addition to slow-cooked dishes like stews and curries.

Lime zest can also be used as a lemongrass substitute should you prefer, or in the rare event that you can get limes but not lemons from the store! What is the Best Substitute for Lemongrass? You can keep lemongrass in the fridge for 2-3 weeks, but it will be fresh and have the best flavor for the first 10 days. Lay one half of the stem flat side down on the cutting board and dice it with your knife, pushing the lemongrass under the knife each time you raise it, rather than moving the knife along the length of the stem. As it is fibrous, you have to mince it finely. If you have put larger leaves in the pot, take them out before you serve the food. If you’ve been to a Thai place and eaten Tom Yum—a vegetable and shrimp soup that contains garlic, kaffir lime, coconut milk, and red chili peppers—you may have noticed the slices of woody lemongrass floating in your soup. When I was looking into all of the best lemongrass substitutes, I was frustrated reading the lists that other people were putting out there.If you store the lemongrass in the fridge, then it can last for 10 to 14 days.[ iii] In the freezer, it can last for more than six months. Lemon balm is another great substitute for lemongrass. For one stalk of lemongrass, take four lemon balm leaves to get a subtle citrus flavor. Chop and only add them towards the end of the cooking process. This will allow it to retain its delicate flavor.

Lemongrass can be used in soups, curries, stir-fries, and marinades. It’s also a great addition to tea or lemonade.

Got lemongrass? Make soup!

Repeat the process with the other half of the stem, so you are left with two halves of tender yellow-to-light-green lemongrass. As a citrus fruit, lemons are a great way to add that characteristic punch to any meal. It’s because of this that lemon zest is a highly effective replacement if you’re looking to substitute lemongrass. According to Cooks Illustrated, dried lemongrass makes foods it's cooked with take on a woodsy and "complex" flavor, while fresh lemongrass gives foods more of the citrus and minty effect. That seems like quite the range of flavors; however, the surprising thing about dried and fresh lemongrass is that, despite said taste differences, you can easily substitute one for the other. I love experiencing new cultures through foods and it shows in my travels. When I'm at home I try cooking healthy but love blending dishes I've learned with fresh local ingredients.