11 Best Galangal Substitutes

What is galangal?

How does it compare to ginger?

And why should I care?


Galangal is a root vegetable native to Southeast Asia.

It has a pungent flavor similar to ginger.

In Thai cooking, galangal is often used as a substitute for fresh or dried ginger.


Galangal is also known as krachai pla Thai or kra chae Korean.

It is commonly found in Asian markets.

The root is usually sold in pieces or whole.

If you want to try out galangal at home, you can easily find it in Asian grocery stores

Best Galangal Substitutes

Galangal is a rhizome a root from the ginger family. It is used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine. In Thai cuisine, galangal is known as krachai plaa. It is used in soups, curries, stir-fry dishes, salads, desserts, and drinks. It is also used in herbal medicine.

1. Ginger

Ginger is a perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical Asia. It is related to turmeric Curcuma longa and cardamom Amomum subulatum. Ginger is widely cultivated throughout the world and is available year round. Ginger is used in many cuisines around the globe. It is used in pickles, chutneys, sauces, breads, beverages, and confectionery.
2. Turmeric
Answer: Turmeric is a spice derived from the roots of Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. It has been used since ancient times in India and other parts of Asia. It is used in curry powders, Indian sweets, condiments, and medicinal preparations. Turmeric is used in pickles and chutneys.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice derived form the roots of Curcumin longa, a member the ginger family. It is used in curries, pickles, and medicines.
3. Cardamom
Cardamom is a fragrant evergreen tree grown mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka. Its fruit pods are harvested, dried, and ground into powder. Cardamom is used in sweet dishes, savory dishes, and drinks.

3. Horseradish

Horseradish is a root vegetable native to Europe and Asia. It is used in sauces, soups, salads, and other dishes.
4. Ginger
Ginger is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia. It is used to flavor many Asian dishes such as Indian cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Thai cuisine, Japanese cuisine, Korean cuisine, Vietnamese cuisine, and Indonesian cuisine.

4. Fingerroot

Fingerroot is a root vegetable native of North America. It is used in soups, stews, and other dishes. It is similar to horseradish but milder.
5. Cucumber
Cucumbers are grown worldwide and are eaten raw or pickled. They are available year round and are used in sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.

5. Black Pepper

Black pepper is a spice that comes from the berries of the Piper nigrum plant. It is widely used in many cuisines around the world.
6. Garlic
Garlic is a bulbous perennial herb belonging to the lily family. It is cultivated throughout the world and is used in various cuisines.

6. White Pepper

White pepper is a spice that is derived from the berries of the white peppercorn Piper nigrum. It is widely used in Indian cuisine.
7. Salt
Salt is a chemical compound consisting of sodium chloride. It is a common ingredient in kitchens and is used for seasoning food.

7. Mustard

Mustard is a condiment made from ground mustard seeds yellow or black. It is usually added to sauces and other dishes to give them flavor.
8. Cumin
Cumin is a flowering plant belonging to the parsley family native to India and Pakistan. It has been cultivated since ancient times.

8. Mustard Oil

7. Mustard is a condiment used to enhance the taste of various dishes. It is made from ground mustard seeds.
8. Cilantro
Cilantro is a herb that belongs to the mint family. It is widely used in Mexican cuisine.

9. Galangal Paste

Mustard is a condiment that is used to enhance the flavor of many dishes. It is made by grinding mustard seeds into a paste.
7. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is extracted from mustard seed oil. It is used in Indian cuisines.

10. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a tropical grass native to Southeast Asia. It is widely cultivated in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other countries. It is used in Thai cuisine, especially in curries.
11. Ginger
Ginger is a root vegetable that grows in tropical climates around the world. It is used in Asian cuisines, particularly Chinese cuisine.

11. Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaves are a type of citrus fruit from South Africa. They are used in many dishes in South African cuisine.
12. Mango
Mangoes are a tropical fruit grown throughout the tropics. They are eaten raw or cooked. In India, mangoes are called amchur अंचुर and are used in pickles, chutneys, and desserts.

Is galangal a horseradish?

Turmeric is the root of Curcuma longa while Galangal is the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum. Both are used extensively in Indian cuisine. Turmeric is the primary spice used in curries and other dishes. It is also used in pickles, chutneys, and condiments. In addition, it is used as a dye. Galangal is used primarily in Thai and Chinese cuisines. It is used in soups, stews, and curries. It is also used as a digestive aid.

What is a replacement for galangal?

Turmeric is used in many Indian dishes and curries. It adds color and flavor to dishes. Turmeric is not interchangeable with galangal. Galangal is a root that is similar to ginger but has a different taste.

Can I use turmeric instead of galangal?

Galangal is a root vegetable that looks similar to ginger but tastes different. It is used in many Asian dishes. It is available in dried form and ground into powder. Galangal is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, and vitamin C. It is also known to help lower cholesterol levels. It is used in Thai curries, soups, salads, and desserts.

Is turmeric and galangal the same thing?

Galangal is not a type of horseradish but rather a member of the ginger family. It looks similar to ginger and has a flavor similar to horseradish. Galangal is used in Thai cuisine and is sometimes called “Thai ginger”. It is available dried, ground, or whole. It is used in soups, curries, and stir-fry dishes.