3 Substitutes for Galangal

You're in the middle of an exotic recipe, when suddenly an odd word catches your eye-- galangal. You might be wondering what the heck this odd ingredient might be, and where you can find it.

Galangal is a brownish rhizome, a relative of the ginger plant. It originates in Indonesia, where it is popular as a vegetable and spice. It can be very hard to find in the United States, but some Asian markets and international grocers carry it. If you don't have galangal, try using any of these substitutes for galangal in your recipe.

Ginger

Not as pungent as galangal but similar in flavor, ginger root can work as a viable alternative to its more exotic counterpart. Use about one and a half times as much ginger as the recipe calls for in galangal. This will ensure that your recipe is sufficiently potent.

Fingerroot

Another exotic rhizome related to ginger, fingerroot is also known as "Chinese ginger" or ka chi. Fingerroot's long, brown protrusions vaguely resemble human fingers. It is popular in Thailand, and its flavor is very similar to ginger but a bit weaker. Use twice as much fingerroot a the recipe calls for in galangal. As a substitute for galangal, fingerroot will suffice only if you use relatively large quantities.

Turmeric

Use fresh turmeric as a substitute for galangal only in a pinch, if ginger and fingerroot are both unavailable. Turmeric is a bright-yellow rhizome related to both ginger and galangal. Its fragrant, sweet-smelling root is far less spicy than galangal or ginger, but it has a somewhat similar taste, and its creamy flavor can complement almost any dish that might include galangal. Triple your the amount of turmeric beyond the recipe's requirement for galangal.