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    Home » Vegetables » Edible garden

    Published: Dec 11, 2021 · Modified: Feb 26, 2022 by Zen

    39 Best South East Asian Lemongrass recipes

    Lemongrass is amazingly easy to grow, so you usually end up with more than you need: here are nearly 40 tasty Asian lemongrass recipes to help you use up any excess you may have. Recipes that are easy enough for busy weeknight dinners!

    Close-up of tuna and potato cakes stacked on top of each other.
    Jump to:
    • What is lemongrass?
    • How to regrow
    • How to store
    • How to cook
    • Where to buy
    • Soups
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef & Lamb
    • Seafood
    • Noodles & Rice
    • Sauce
    • Vegetarian & Vegan
    • Dessert, drinks & cocktails

    What is lemongrass?

    Lemongrass, also known as serai in Malay, is a common herb traditionally used in many South East Asian cuisines (it is native to the region), especially Thai and Vietnamese food.

    It has citrus notes that help uplift dishes, giving them a tangy and aromatic taste that can't quite be replicated with lemon or lime, although some find the flavor similar to that of lemon juice. Lemongrass is commonly mixed with soy sauce, lime juice, coconut milk, brown sugar, ginger and/or kaffir lime leaf (among other Asian herbs and sauces) to create a delicious, tangy flavor in Asian Recipes.

    Trivia: lemongrass is even used in beekeeping to attract bees!

    How to regrow

    I like to store my lemongrass in a bottle of water instead of in a fridge- the stalk will keep growing longer, roots will appear and there herb won't go bad. Makes a great table display too! (Make sure you change the water regularly, or it will rot.)

    When you want to cook with it, just cut off 1-2 inches above the root end, then plant the root end in soil (or place it back in water) and it will grow you a new stalk. 

    If you're more detail-oriented and feel like you need more information than I've given you, here are some tips on growing lemongrass, complete with video and all.

    If, like me, you're keen to grow your own food, here are recipes which use easy to grow at home garden produce, such as curry leaf and kaffir lime leaf.

    How to store

    You can keep lemongrass in the fridge, where it stays good for quite a while (a few weeks). Alternatively, it also freezes well- you can even use a food processor to make it into lemongrass paste before freezing. The more adventurous can also dehydrate it but that is my least favourite way to preserve lemongrass! (Gas bills)

    How to cook

    Lemongrass is a very fibrous plant, so we typically only use the tender inner stem- the white part- in Asian cooking. Don't discard the tough outer layers of the stalk though- they can be added to soups, tempered in oil or used to make tea!

    A great example of how to use the leftover husks is this lemongrass recipe from the Guardian- waste not, want not. (For more ideas on how to reuse kitchen scraps in cooking, click here.)

    If adding the entire stalk to your cooking (for example to curries, stews or soups), first bash the lemongrass with the back of a knife or a rolling pin to help release its aroma. After you've finished cooking, you can then remove and toss it (it is too tough to chew as it is). 

    Note: If can't get fresh lemongrass, there are also the paste, dried and powdered versions, but they aren't quite as fragrant.

    Where to buy

    In Asia, lemongrass is widely available at any grocery store and this is becoming the case in the UK and US as well (usually it is sold in the dried version though). If you can't find the herb at your local store, check out the closest asian market or order online.

    Soups

    A bowl of chicken soup with tomatoes and vegetables

    Lemongrass and chicken broth are a match made in heaven. This fragrant lemongrass ginger chicken soup is wonderfully aromatic and naturally sweet thanks to the use of coconut water- whilst it's nice to have fresh coconuts on hand, I usually use packet coconut water as I always have some in my pantry. 

    Warming ginger chicken soup with lemongrass
    Coconut water is added to give the chicken soup a natural sweetness without having to add any sugar.
    Click here for the chicken and coconut soup recipe
    A close-up of coconut chicken soup with ginger and lots of ingredients

    If you're using water from an actual coconut, don't toss the shell away- it makes for a fun way to serve this soup or to shape jellies! If you like jazzing up your food presentation, here is another dessert recipe that uses coconut water and can be served in a coconut shell. (I usually use packaged coconut water though.)

    Lemongrass is also a key ingredient in the Thai spicy soup, tom yum goong (as well as galangal and Kaffir Lime Leaves) but as that is such a classic dish, I figure everyone already has a go to easy recipe of their own and have not included 1 here.

    Chicken soup for when you are sick
    This chicken soup is packed with all sorts of herbs, from Asian ones such as lemongrass and ginger to rosemary and thyme, to help you fight off illness. AND it has over 80 reviews with an average rating of 5 stars!
    Click here for soup to fight the flu
    Close-up of a clear chicken & lemongrass soup.
    Thai-inspired soup
    A slow-cooker lemongrass soup for days when you don't want to toil over the hot stove.
    Click here for the soup recipe
    Close-up of Thai inspired soup in a white bowl.

    Chicken

    Bowl of lemongrass chicken curry with rice on a napkin, with extras by the side
    Burmese lemongrass chicken curry
    Every South East Asian country has its own version of curry, each with its subtle differences.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of lemongrass chicken curry with rice on a napkin, with extras by the side

    If you don't happen to have fresh lemongrass stalks on hand, another delicious South East Asian chicken recipe is sticky fish sauce chicken wings. There are also more Asian chicken recipes here.

    Tip: if having Asian friends over for a meal, avoid serving chicken breasts . We usually find it dry and prefer the fatter, more flavourful dark thigh meat.

    Chicken Laap/ Larb
    The 1st Laotian dish on this list of lemongrass recipes, there is also a Thai version of Larb. (This recipe was inspired by a cooking class at a famous restaurant in Laos.) Either way, they are both delicious and great on a hot summer's day!
    Click here for the Larb recipe
    Close-up of Laotian chicken larb on a white plate.
    Colourful bowl of Thai chicken salad and greens with slices of lime on the side
    Thai Lemongrass and Chicken salad
    The recipe calls for the use of chicken breast but I highly recommend using chicken legs instead- they're much juicier and the extra fat means they're packed with flavour! (And more difficult to overcook)
    Check out this recipe
    Colourful bowl of Thai chicken salad and greens with slices of lime on the side
    Easy chicken and lemongrass rice bowl
    Chicken + Vietnamese Nuoc Cham + Charcoal Grilled = YUM
    Check out this recipe
    A bowl of lemongrass grilled chicken with vegetables
    Chicken & lemongrass Banh Mi
    The chicken filling is conveniently made in a slow cooker- if you don't have bread, the meat can be eaten with rice too!
    Click here for the banh mi recipe
    Chicken & lemongrass banh mi sandwich on a grey plate.
    Lemongrass chicken skewers
    Grilling really helps to awaken the lemongrass in the marinade, and this is the perfect easy recipe for summer!
    Click here for the grilled Lemongrass chicken recipe
    3 grilled chicken skewers on a wooden board.
    Wasabi & lemongrass chicken nuggets
    These chicken nuggets are marinated in lemongrass and other spices, breaded and then deep fried to form deliciously crispy chicken bites. Perfect finger food for parties and Game Day!
    Click here to learn how to make chicken nuggets
    Many lemongrass chicken nuggets fried to a golden crisp lined up on baking paper.

    Roast chicken isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Thai cuisine, but I love the flavours in this recipe. My Dad actually spent over 20 years in Thailand so I've been there many, many, many times (but never had Thai roast chicken, that was made in the oven at least!).

    Tip: 1 thing I look out for in Thai recipes is the use of coriander root- coriander root is integral to Thai cooking so you know the flavour should be authentic when you see that it's used! 

    Thai roast chicken with lemongrass
    Don't forget to keep the chicken bones to make stock, and any leftover roast goes well with rice porridge as well!
    Check out this recipe
    Thai Style Spatchcocked Lemongrass Roast Chicken.

    If you have made too much of this lemongrass chicken, why not shred the excess and serve with rice noodles or jasmine rice the next day?

    Note: the chicken is roasted in the oven, and after baking so much- someone ordered over 20 jars of my Chinese peanut cookies!- I've realised how important it is for the oven to be at the right height (counter-level) so that you can easily keep an eye on what's inside. For more tips that I've shared after redesigning my kitchen from scratch, click here.

    Pork

    Vietnamese pork with lemongrass
    Lemongrass goes very well work pork too and it's a common combination in Vietnamese food. This pork chop is heavenly with nuoc cham.
    Click here for the lemongrass pork recipe
    Lemongrass pork chop and rice with salad on a white plate.
    Vietnamese lemongrass & pork stir-fry
    If you don't have pork chop, ground meat works too and you don't even need to make a dipping sauce for this, so it's less work!
    Click here for the minced pork recipe
    An overhead shot of lemongrass minced pork heaped over white rice.
    Baked egg rolls
    Lemongrass & ground pork makes a delicious filling in egg rolls too- these are healthier because they are baked, not fried!
    Click here for the egg roll recipe
    A few egg rolls piled on a white plate.

    Beef & Lamb

    Big pot of red vietnamese lemongrass beef stew
    VIetnamese lemongrass beef stew
    The most popular recipe on Supergoldenbakes so how could I not feature it? Not to mention how much I love Vietnamese food!
    Check out this recipe
    Big pot of vietnamese lemongrass beef stew
    Beef massaman curry
    This lesser known Thai curry has such tender and flavourful beef, you'll be happy to eat it every day. Luckily it freezes well so make a big batch!
    Click here for the beef curry recipe
    Thai massaman curry with white rice in a black bowl.
    Malaysian beef rendang
    This slow cooked dry curry recipe is usually cooked for HOURS but it is so, sooo good. Luckily, this recipe shows you how to make it in an Instant Pot, Slow cooker and pressure cooker so you don't have to spend all day in the kitchen!
    Click here for the beef rendang recipe
    Close-up of Malaysian beef rendang curry,
    Vietnamese rolls
    Most Vietnamese spring rolls are made with vegetables or pork, but it's divine with lemongrass beef as well!
    Check out this recipe
    Fresh Vietnamese spring roll dipped into nuoc cham dipping sauce
    Javanese lamb curry
    Known as tong seng, this lamb braised in coconut milk, lemongrass and other spices is slightly spicy and altogether delicious.
    Click here for Javanese curry
    A bowl of Javanese tongseng in a white bowl.

    Seafood

    Thai-inspired lemongrass salad
    A refreshing and tangy starter loaded with flavor thanks to the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf- for more Asian kaffir/ market lime recipes, click here. (It's 1 of my favourite herbs- the flavor literally explodes in your mouth!)
    Click here for the salad recipe
    Lemongrass & prawn salad presented on Chinese spoons.
    Assam curry with broccoli on the side

    Many lemongrass recipes are curries as they add citrus notes to lift up the heavy coconut flavour.

    Singaporean assam fish curry with coconut
    A healthier alternative to the typical Singapore assam fish, as no sugar is added.
    Check out this recipe
    Assam fish curry with broccoli and rice
    Mussels in Thai lemongrass sauce
    Mussels are the ultimate fast (and healthy) food- super easy and quick to make, they go beautifully with the Asian herbs in this sauce. Ginger, lemongrass, coconut and more!
    Click here for Thai-inspired mussels
    Close-up of mussels in a Thai lemongrass and coconut sauce.
    Thai-inspired tuna and potato fishcakes
    These fishcakes beat store-bought ones any day! Bursting with flavor and deliciously fluffy!
    Click here for the fishcake recipe
    Close-up of tuna and potato cakes stacked on top of each other.

    Noodles & Rice

    Thai Glass Noodles Soup
    An easy but delicious recipe that is perfect for weekday dinners! (This recipe has more of a clear broth compared to the creamy soup in the recipe below.)
    Click here for the Thai noodle recipe
    A bowl of Thai glass noodles soup with meatballs.
    Thai soup noodles (Instant Pot)
    This Thai-inspired noodle dish has a curry based broth. With an average rating of 4.48 from 19 reviews, this 1-pot dish is a must try!
    Click here for Instant Pot noodles
    A bowl of noodles in a curry soup.
    Lemongrass shrimp pasta
    A delicious but easy fusion dish which pairs an Asian sauce with Italian pasta.
    Click here for the pasta recipe
    Prawn pasta in a yellow lemongrass sauce.
    Lontong sayur
    Different Malay communities have their own version of lontong- we have our own version in Singapore too. Today's recipe, however, is a delicious Indonesian version of this vegetable curry with lontong (small cakes of boiled rice) (Indonesian food generally uses more Salam leaf than Singaporean Malay food does.) Either way, this is a delicious dish that can be had for breakfast, lunch, dinner or tea!
    Click here for the lontong recipe
    Close-up of lontong and veggie curry.
    Thai Fried Rice
    A great way to use up leftover rice. If you want more ideas, here are some recipes that go beyond fried rice.
    Click here for the Thai lemongrass rice recipe
    A plate of Thai inspired fried rice with shrimps

    Sauce

    First time I read about Vietnamese Sa Te Sauce, I thought it would be similar to Singaporean Satay sauce, but it's actually very different. For one, this Vietnamese lemongrass sauce doesn't contain peanuts!

    If anything, it's really more like a sambal- it's extremely fragrant and brings a real depth to your food! I wonder how it would taste if used to replace sambal in sambal mayo? Will try and update!

    Vietnamese Sa Te Sauce
    I've made this sans chicken bouillon stock (I used homemade stock instead) and annatto seeds and it was still delicious. Amazing scooped over noodle soups!
    Check out this recipe
    Red Vietnamese Sa Te Sauce in a glass bowl

    Vegetarian & Vegan

    I'm always trying to include more vegetables in my diet but I'll be honest, it can be hard. If you need some veggie inspiration, here are some vegan Asian recipe ideas for you!

    Lemongrass fried tofu
    Lemongrass isn't just good with meat, it also works really well with vegetarian/ vegan dishes such as tofu.
    Check out this recipe
    A plate of fried tofu marinated in lemongrass
    Bowl of lemongrass butternut squash curry with rice and garnished with herbs
    Butternut squash curry
    Lemongrass really makes curries sing, and I like how this recipe uses an ingredient that is not particularly common in South East Asian food. (It's good to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables!)
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of lemongrass butternut squash curry with rice and garnished with herbs

    Vegan Soba
    This noodle soup is vegan but packed with flavour thanks to the lemongrass and other spices in the broth.
    Click here for vegan noodles
    Vegan Stir-fry
    This stir-fry has a creamy peanut sauce, and cooks in under 30 minutes.
    Click here for the stir-fry recipe
    Close-up of veggie stir-fried in a skillet.
    3 bowls of vegan pumpkin curry and white rice.
    Vegan pumpkin curry
    This one-pot curry is one the table in 30 minutes!
    Click here for pumpkin curry
    3 bowls of vegan pumpkin curry and white rice.
    Vegan Thai curry
    This lemongrass and coconut curry is a great way of clearing out your fridge- add in some young jackfruit if you want something with the texture of meat!
    Click here for the yellow curry recipe
    2 bowls of vegan yellow curry with bread.
    Vegan Thai veggie curry
    Another yellow Thai curry, this version with 25 reviews and an average rating of over 4.9 stars also shows you how to make your own yellow curry paste.
    Click here for a vegan curry recipe
    A bowl of vegetable curry and a bowl of rice on a plaid cloth.

    Dessert, drinks & cocktails

    2 glasses of lemongrass syrup cocktail.
    Lemongrass & Rhubarb Cheesecake
    A unique take on a cheesecake with lemongrass and rhubarb notes in it- the rhubarb also makes for very pretty patterns inside!
    Click here for the lemongrass cake recipe
    A slice of lemongrass & rhubarb cake with a beautiful pink pattern on top.

    Boiling lemongrass and ginger makes for a caffeine-free tea which helps to warm up the body. Add some honey or red dates (the red dates should be boiled with the lemongrass and ginger) if you like your tea sweet, and remember that the longer you boil the ginger, the spicier the drink will be! For other Asian drink ideas, do check out this page.

    Lemongrass chai tea
    This easy spiced India tea recipe takes only a few minutes to make.
    Click here for lemongrass chai tea
    Lemongrass mojito cocktail
    This exotic 6-ingredient cocktail uses lemongrass syrup and is sweet & fizzy.
    Click here for your mojito
    2 glasses of lemongrass syrup cocktail.

    What are some of your favourite Asian lemongrass recipes? Do tag me on social media or leave a comment below if you try any of these! Before you leave, you may also be interested in these dishes:

    • Best Poached One Pot Chinatown Soy Sauce Chicken (with rice)
    • Authentic Singapore Nyonya Fried Dry Mee Siam Goreng Recipe
    • Easy glutinous rice balls soup (Plain tang yuan in soup)
    • Easy 5-ingredients 12345 pork ribs Recipe

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    Greedygirlgourmet eating 2 sandwiches in Scotland

    Hi I'm Zhen! I couldn't boil water till I was 18 but after living abroad (in St. Andrews then London) for 11 years and having to cook for myself, I now love having friends and families over, and cooking for them. I tend to be slightly obsessive-compulsive, so I like to try many different versions of a recipe before coming up with my own "ultimate" version. Check out www.greedygirlgourmet.com every week for new tried-and-tested (on my guinea pigs aka guests!) Asian recipes which are full of flavour!

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