Ginger and lemongrass can be combined in cooking and are commonly used together in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Thai, Vietnamese, and Cambodian dishes. The combination of ginger and lemongrass can add a fresh, zesty, and slightly spicy flavor to dishes, making it a popular choice for soups, curries, marinades, and stir-fries.
Using ginger and lemongrass together adds a unique taste to various food dishes, as we’ll see below. First let’s look at how to make a tasty marinade involving the two ingredients and then we’ll discuss dishes that incorporate the two.
Ginger And Lemongrass Marinade
While you add a small amount of ginger and lemongrass to individual food dishes (more on that below) you can also put together a tasty marinade incorporating them to use on a variety of foods.
Here is a simple recipe for a ginger and lemongrass marinade that can be used for chicken, shrimp, or tofu:
Ingredients:
- 2 stalks lemongrass, outer layers removed and thinly sliced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the sliced lemongrass, grated ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, vegetable oil, and lime juice.
- Whisk together until well combined.
- Place your protein of choice (chicken, shrimp, or tofu) in a shallow dish or plastic bag.
- Pour the marinade over the protein, making sure it is well coated.
- Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for more flavor.
- When ready to cook, remove the protein from the marinade and discard any excess marinade.
- Cook the protein as desired (grill, bake, or sauté) and serve with your favorite side dishes.
This simple marinade is full of flavor from the combination of ginger and lemongrass, and it’s easy to customize to your liking by adjusting the amounts of soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, or lime juice.
What Dishes Combine Ginger And Lemongrass?
There are many dishes that combine ginger and lemongrass, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Here are a few examples:
- Tom Yum soup: a spicy and sour soup from Thailand that typically includes shrimp, mushrooms, chili peppers, lemongrass, and ginger.
- Lemongrass chicken: a Vietnamese dish made with chicken marinated in a mixture of lemongrass, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
- Lemongrass and ginger stir-fry: a simple stir-fry dish that typically includes vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and snow peas, as well as shrimp or chicken.
- Lemongrass and ginger curry: a fragrant curry dish from Cambodia that typically includes chicken or fish, coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and a variety of spices.
- Lemongrass and ginger marinade: a versatile marinade that can be used for chicken, shrimp, or tofu, and typically includes lemongrass, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, and lime juice.
These are just a few examples, but the combination of lemongrass and ginger is quite versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes.
Ginger And Lemongrass Comparison
| Property | Ginger | Lemongrass |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor profile | Pungent, spicy, slightly sweet | Citrusy, fresh, slightly sweet |
| Culinary uses | Used in savory and sweet dishes, commonly found in Asian and Indian cuisine | Used mainly in savory dishes, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine |
| Nutritional benefits | Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, aids digestion | Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, aids digestion |
| Medicinal benefits | Relieves nausea and vomiting, reduces muscle pain and soreness, lowers blood sugar levels | Reduces inflammation, relieves anxiety, boosts immunity |
| Appearance and texture | Knobby, beige-colored rhizome with a fibrous interior | Long, thin, gray-green stalks with a bulbous base and a tough outer layer |
| Common spice pairings | Garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander | Ginger, garlic, chili peppers, basil, mint |
Overall, ginger and lemongrass are both versatile and flavorful ingredients that can be used in a variety of culinary applications. While ginger is more commonly used in sweet dishes and Indian cuisine, lemongrass is a staple of Southeast Asian cuisine and is primarily used in savory dishes.
Both ingredients offer numerous nutritional and medicinal benefits and pair well with a range of other spices and herbs.