The 5 Best Substitutes for Minced Ginger

Ginger, one of the most versatile spices, finds its place in most households worldwide.

Whether fresh, minced, powder or dried, you can add it to savory dishes, desserts, beverages and confections.

It enhances the flavor and aroma, making a dish more appetizing.

While all types give an enhanced flavor and fragrance, minced ginger is a favorite with most home cooks and even chefs.

There are two ways you can get it.

First of all, you can buy readymade packs from the market, and you can also mince them at home using a knife.

But what to do when you run out of minced ginger? There is no need to panic because there are several other spices that you can use when you don’t have minced ginger.

In this article, we will learn about the 5 best substitutes for minced ginger, so continue reading.

What is Minced Ginger?

Minced ginger is simply ginger cut into thin slices then chopped till it becomes almost like a paste.

You can make it at home with fresh ginger, but not many people have the time for the task.

But you can find readymade stuff in most stores too.

It offers the same benefits as ginger and is versatile.

You can add it to vinaigrettes, fried rice and stir-fries, glazes for meat and fish, and fried rice.

You can also add it to plenty of other items, like soups, stews, sauces and salads.

Suppose you run out of minced ginger; check out the following ingredients that you can use alternatively.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Minced Ginger

Let us now see which five items can substitute for minced ginger.

1 – Cinnamon Sticks

Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that can stand in for minced ginger if the latter isn’t available.

You can get 2-6 inches sticks in various quantities, which you can crush or ground for use.

It’s sweeter but has a similar warm and spicy tone, so it can work just fine.

It’s also a versatile spice, so you can use it in many types of dishes.

You can add it to pastries, cakes and bread, and you can also add it when making curries.

People have been using cinnamon since ancient times because of its flavor and medicinal properties.

It used to be highly prized and was gifted to kings.

Today, it’s readily available in most supermarkets.

You can use the same quantity of cinnamon for minced ginger.

Suitable ratio.

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger = 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

2 – Turmeric

It may sound strange, but turmeric can replace minced ginger in many dishes.

You will get a similar flavor with a tinge of yellow/orange color.

Turmeric is readily available in most stores.

You can use it in stir-fries, meat dishes, sauces and curries.

It also goes well in smoothies, greens and soups.

You can also try it with roasted veggies, rice and even make tea.

Turmeric isn’t just a delicious spice but also very beneficial for health.

It’s packed with nutrients, anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants.

You can use equal amounts of turmeric for minced ginger.

But if you use turmeric root and grate it, the quantity should be less.

Suitable ratio.

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger = 1 teaspoon turmeric or 1/4 teaspoon grated turmeric.

3 – Fresh Ginger

If you don’t have readymade minced ginger but have the fresh item, you can use it instead.

It may take some time to slice and mince, but you can have an almost similar product.

It will work perfectly with any dish that asks for minced ginger.

You can also easily find fresh ginger in most stores, so it’s a good substitute.

Remove the peel, cut in thin slices, then stack together and cut them in matchstick sizes.

Next, chop them from the other side to make tiny dices.

The freshly chopped ginger will be ready for your use.

Add it to fried dishes, marinades, stews, soups, salads, desserts and beverages.

Suitable ratio.

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger = 1 teaspoon freshly diced ginger.

4 – Allspice

Allspice comes from Pimento dioica, and it has a sweet taste and lovely fragrance.

It’s called allspice because its smell and flavor remind of several spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger.

It isn’t precisely like minced ginger, but it can be an alternative if you don’t have what you require.

Though popular in Caribbean cuisine, it can work in other cuisines as well.

Like most other spices, it’s also versatile, and you can add it to sweet or savory food, salads and beverages.

Add it to stir-fries, stews, soups and sauces whenever you want some fragrance and flavor in your food.

Suitable ratio.

• 1 teaspoon minced ginger = 1/2 teaspoon allspice.

5 – Ground Ginger

When a recipe asks for minced ginger, it usually cannot be substituted with ground ginger.

However, if you don’t have any other option mentioned above, you can use ground ginger.

Your dish will have a similar aroma but not the same flavor as minced ginger.

Ground ginger is suitable for desserts as well as savory dishes.

It suits desserts very well because it doesn’t add moisture to the dish you are making.

Add some ground ginger to stir-fries, soups, salads, stews, marinades and sauces.

You can also add it to any dessert that asks for minced ginger.

You can also make herbal tea along with other spices like turmeric, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Suitable ratio.

• 1 tablespoon minced ginger = 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (add more if needed) or.
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger = 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger = 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger.

Conclusion

While you may not have the exact flavor and aroma of minced ginger, you can still have a delicious dish if you follow the proper instructions for cooking with the other spices.

If you don’t have the original, you have to go with the alternatives to get that unique taste.

You can also add other spices to get a distinct taste but always start with small quantities.

If you don’t like the other spices, you can keep some extra fresh ginger in the freezer to use during emergencies.

Slice and dice to make your fresh minced ginger and bring out that fragrance and taste you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)