galangal
Galangal's piney heat and lemongrass's citrus-grass aroma form a core Southeast Asian aromatic base, especially in Thai soups and curry pastes.
lemongrass
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
A tropical grass (Cymbopogon citratus) with an intensely citrusy, floral aroma from citral — the defining aromatic of Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian cooking.…
45 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Lemongrass contains 65–80% citral (neral + geranial, the two isomers of the main lemon aroma compound) along with geraniol and other citrus-floral compounds — its fragrance is more complex and florally tropical than lemon zest, with no bitterness. The fibrous outer layers and the upper green portion are used for infusion only — bruised with a heavy tool and added to soups, curries, and broths. Only the 3–4 inch pale inner core (sliced thin or minced to near-imperceptibility) is suitable for eating directly. In Thai tom yum and tom kha, lemongrass is a primary aromatic alongside makrut lime leaf and galangal — the combination is one of the most distinctive flavor signatures in any cuisine. In green and red curry pastes, minced lemongrass is the fresh citrus component blended with galangal, makrut lime, and chilies. Vietnamese bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) uses lemongrass prominently; Indonesian satay marinades often include it minced. Dried lemongrass retains some character and can be used for infusions but fresh is significantly superior.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Core pairings
galangal
garlic
ginger
galangal
Galangal's piney heat and lemongrass's citrus-grass aroma form a core Southeast Asian aromatic base, especially in Thai soups and curry pastes.
garlic
Garlic gives lemongrass's bright citrus perfume a savory backbone, helping it work in marinades, soups, and stir-fries.
ginger
Ginger reinforces lemongrass's fresh heat while adding floral spice, a natural match in broths, curries, and teas.
Pairs well with
basil
beef
chicken
chile peppers, red
chile peppers, green
chives
cilantro
cinnamon
cloves
coconut and coconut milk
coriander
crab
cream
curries
fish
fruits
honey
lime, juice
lobster
meats
mint
noodles, rice
offal
onions
parsley
peanuts
pork
poultry
sage
salads and salad dressings
scallions
shallots
shellfish
shrimp
soups
spring rolls
stews
teas
turmeric
vanilla
vegetables
vinaigrettes
basil
Basil adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
beef
Beef adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chicken
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chile peppers, red
Chile Peppers, Red brings heat or sharpness that wakes up lemongrass's milder flavors and adds contrast without needing to rebuild the whole dish.
chile peppers, green
Chile Peppers, Green brings heat or sharpness that wakes up lemongrass's milder flavors and adds contrast without needing to rebuild the whole dish.
chives
Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
cilantro
Cilantro complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
cloves
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
coconut and coconut milk
Coconut And Coconut Milk adds richness and helps carry lemongrass's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
coriander
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
crab
Crab brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemongrass's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry lemongrass's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
curries
Curries complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
fish
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemongrass's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
fruits
Fruits adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemongrass's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
honey
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances lemongrass's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
lime, juice
Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens lemongrass's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lobster
Lobster complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
meats
Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
mint
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
noodles, rice
Noodles, Rice gives lemongrass a starchy or baked base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
offal
Offal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
onions
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
parsley
Parsley adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
peanuts
Peanuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives lemongrass more contrast and substance.
pork
Pork adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
poultry
Poultry adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
sage
Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
salads and salad dressings
Salads And Salad Dressings complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
scallions
Scallions supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
shallots
Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
shellfish
Shellfish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemongrass's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
shrimp
Shrimp complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
soups
Soups adds liquid seasoning and structure that helps lemongrass integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like a garnish with ambition.
spring rolls
Spring Rolls complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
stews
Stews adds liquid seasoning and structure that helps lemongrass integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like a garnish with ambition.
teas
Teas complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
turmeric
Turmeric adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
vanilla
Vanilla adds seasoning or sweetness that balances lemongrass's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving lemongrass more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes adds acidity, aroma, or depth that helps lemongrass work in sauces, dressings, marinades, and cooked preparations.
Basil adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Beef adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chile peppers, red
Chile Peppers, Red brings heat or sharpness that wakes up lemongrass's milder flavors and adds contrast without needing to rebuild the whole dish.
chile peppers, green
Chile Peppers, Green brings heat or sharpness that wakes up lemongrass's milder flavors and adds contrast without needing to rebuild the whole dish.
Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Cilantro complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Cinnamon adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
Coconut And Coconut Milk adds richness and helps carry lemongrass's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
Crab brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemongrass's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry lemongrass's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
curries
Curries complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemongrass's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
fruits
Fruits adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out lemongrass's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances lemongrass's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
lime, juice
Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens lemongrass's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Lobster complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
meats
Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
noodles, rice
Noodles, Rice gives lemongrass a starchy or baked base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
offal
Offal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Parsley adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
peanuts
Peanuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives lemongrass more contrast and substance.
Pork adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
poultry
Poultry adds savory richness and browned depth that gives lemongrass more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Sage adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping lemongrass from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
salads and salad dressings
Salads And Salad Dressings complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Scallions supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Shallots supplies an allium backbone that deepens lemongrass's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Shellfish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with lemongrass's fresher, citrusy, or vegetal notes.
Shrimp complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
soups
Soups adds liquid seasoning and structure that helps lemongrass integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like a garnish with ambition.
spring rolls
Spring Rolls complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
stews
Stews adds liquid seasoning and structure that helps lemongrass integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like a garnish with ambition.
teas
Teas complements lemongrass by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Turmeric adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against lemongrass's natural base notes.
Vanilla adds seasoning or sweetness that balances lemongrass's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving lemongrass more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes adds acidity, aroma, or depth that helps lemongrass work in sauces, dressings, marinades, and cooked preparations.