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    Home » Vegetables » Edible garden recipes

    Published: Dec 11, 2021 · Modified: Sep 30, 2022 by Zen · This post may contain affiliate links.

    37 Lemongrass Recipes (SouthEast Asian)

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    37 deliciously aromatic South East Asian Lemongrass Recipes, from chicken recipes to soups and desserts, 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 Use
    • How to Store
    • FAQs
    • Soups
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef & Lamb
    • Seafood
    • Noodles & Rice
    • Sauce
    • Vegetarian & Vegan
    • Desserts

    What is Lemongrass?

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

    Its citrus notes uplift dishes, making them tangy and aromatic. This can't quite be replicated with rice vinegar, lime or lemon juice. (Trust me, I've tried!)

    Goes well with...

    It is often mixed with soy sauce, lime juice, fresh ginger, coconut milk, brown sugar, ginger and/or kaffir lime leaf (among other Asian herbs and sauces.)

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

    How to Use

    Lemongrass is a very fibrous plant.

    Hence, when using lemongrass, we typically focus on 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 ginger lemongrass tea!

    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, remove and toss it (eating lemongrass is difficult as it is too tough to chew). 

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

    How to Store

    You can keep lemongrass in the fridge, where it stays good for quite a while (a few weeks).

    If you live somewhere warm, store the lemongrass in a bottle of water in a sunny spot, instead of taking up valuable fridge space. The stalk will keep growing longer, roots will appear and it won't go bad. Makes a great table display too!

    Make sure you change the water regularly, or it will rot.)

    Freezing

    Alternatively, lemongrass also freezes well.

    You don't have to do anything special before freezing. However, you can use a food processor to make it into lemongrass paste first if you wish.

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

    FAQs

    How to plant and regrow lemongrass?


    When you want to cook, just cut 1-2 inches above the root end. After that, plant the root end in soil or water and it will grow you a new stalk! If you need more information, here are some tips on growing lemongrass. If, like me, you love being sustainable and growing your own food, here are recipes which use easy to grow garden produce, such as curry leaf and kaffir lime leaf.

    Where can I buy lemongrass?

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

    Soups

    A bowl of chicken soup with tomatoes and vegetables

    Lemongrass flavor and chicken broth are a match made in heaven! 

    Coconut Chicken Soup

    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

    Note: If you're using juice from an actual coconut for this ginger lemongrass soup, don't toss the shell away- it makes for a fun way to serve this soup or to shape jellies!

    Chicken Soup

    Chicken soup for when you are sick
    This Sense and Edibility 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 in Slow Cooker

    Thai-inspired soup
    A slow-cooker lemongrass soup by Bakers Beans for days when you don't want to toil over the hot stove.
    Click here for the chicken soup recipe.
    Close-up of Thai inspired soup in a white bowl.

    Note: Lemongrass is also a key ingredient in the Thai spicy soup, tom yum goong. However, as that is such a classic dish, I figure everyone already has a go-to recipe and have not included 1.

    Chicken

    Bowl of lemongrass chicken curry with rice on a napkin, with extras by the side

    Burmese Curry

    Burmese lemongrass chicken curry
    Every South East Asian country has its own version of curry, each with its subtle differences. Try this delicious version by Wander Cooks today!
    Click here for the chicken curry 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, another delicious South East Asian chicken recipe with tangy flavors is sticky fish sauce chicken wings. 

    Expert 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.

    Laotian Laap

    Chicken Laap/ Larb
    The 1st Laotian dish on this list of lemongrass recipes, there is also a Thai version of Larb. (This Cinnamon And Coriander 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.

    Chicken Salad

    Colourful bowl of Thai chicken salad and greens with slices of lime on the side
    Thai Lemongrass and Chicken salad
    This Platings and Pairings 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)
    Click here for the scrumptious chicken salad recipe.
    Colourful bowl of Thai chicken salad and greens with slices of lime on the side

    Rice Bowl

    Easy chicken and lemongrass rice bowl
    Chicken + Vietnamese Nuoc Cham + Charcoal Grilled = YUM. Don't miss this The Flavor Bender recipe!
    Click here for an easy chicken rice bowl recipe.
    A bowl of lemongrass grilled chicken with vegetables

    Vietnamese Sandwich

    Chicken & lemongrass Banh Mi
    I love this Food Meanderings Recipe because 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.

    Meat on Sticks

    Lemongrass chicken skewers
    Grilling really helps to awaken the lemongrass in this Culinary Ginger 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.

    Fried Chicken Nuggets

    Wasabi & lemongrass chicken nuggets
    These The Flavor Bender 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! For more Super Bowl Asian recipes, click here.
    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

    Roast chicken isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Thai cuisine or lemongrass recipes, but I love the flavors here! (My Dad actually lived in Thailand for over 20 years so I've been there maaaaany times.)

    Thai roast chicken with lemongrass
    A delicious Thai-inspired Roast Chicken recipe by That Spicy Chick. Don't forget to keep the chicken bones to make stock, and any leftover roast goes well with rice porridge as well!
    Click here for the Thai Chicken Recipe.
    Thai Style Spatchcocked Lemongrass Roast Chicken.

    Note: 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? Click here for other ways to use up shredded chicken.

    Pork

    Vietnamese Pork Chops

    Vietnamese pork with lemongrass
    Lemongrass goes very well work pork too and it's a common combination in Vietnamese food. This Cook Eat World 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 Stir-Fry

    Vietnamese lemongrass & pork stir-fry
    If you don't have pork chop, ground meat works in this That Spicy Chicken pork recipe 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.

    Egg Rolls

    Baked egg rolls
    Lemongrass & ground pork makes a delicious filling in these Pinch and Swirl 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 Stew

    We all know Vietnamese Lemongrass chicken, but the lessser-known Vietnamese beef is really good too!

    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!
    Click here for the Vietnamese beef stew recipe.
    Big pot of vietnamese lemongrass beef stew

    Thai Beef

    Beef massaman curry
    This lesser known Thai curry has such tender and flavourful beef, you'll be happy to eat this Kitchen Sanctuary recipe every day. Luckily it freezes well so make a big batch!
    Click here for the lemongrass beef curry recipe.
    Thai massaman curry with white rice in a black bowl.

    Rendang

    Being Singaporean, rendang is 1 of my favorite lemongrass recipes!

    Malaysian beef rendang
    This Cinnamon and Coriander 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,

    Spring Rolls

    Vietnamese rolls
    Most Vietnamese spring rolls are made with vegetables or pork, but this Manila Spoon recipe shows it's divine with lemongrass beef as well!
    Click here for the lemongrass spring rolls recipe.
    Fresh Vietnamese spring roll dipped into nuoc cham dipping sauce

    Javanese Stew

    Javanese lamb curry
    Known as tong seng, this So Yummy Recipes' 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

    Shrimp Canape

    Thai-inspired lemongrass salad
    A refreshing and tangy starter by It's Not Complicated Recipes that is 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 Asian salad recipe.
    Lemongrass & prawn salad presented on Chinese spoons.

    White Fish

    Singaporean Tamarind Coconut Fish Curry
    An 8-ingredient curry with flaky fish in a spiced, creamy curry sauce. The tamarind juice gives the flavorful Singapore Tamarind Coconut Fish Curry a delicious citrusy acidity (and makes sure there is no fishy flavor)- unusual for a curry, but makes for a super satisfying meal with white rice. (Dairy-free) (Stovetop)
    Check out the Asian Tamarind Fish Curry here.
    Close-up of a white plate of tamarind fish curry with coconut and rice.

    Note: Many lemongrass recipes are curries as they add citrus notes to cut into the heavy coconut flavour.

    Shellfish

    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 in this Slow The Cook Down recipe.
    Click here for Thai-inspired mussels.
    Close-up of mussels in a Thai lemongrass and coconut sauce.

    Potato Cakes

    Thai-inspired tuna and potato fishcakes
    These Krumpli 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

    Soupy Noodles

    Thai Glass Noodles Soup
    An easy but delicious That Spicy Chick 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.

    Instant Pot Noodles

    Thai soup noodles (Instant Pot)
    This Spice Cravings 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.

    Pasta

    Lemongrass shrimp pasta
    A delicious but easy fusion dish by Spice It Upp which pairs an Asian sauce with Italian pasta.
    Click here for the Asian pasta recipe.
    Prawn pasta in a yellow lemongrass sauce.

    Spiced Vegetable Stew

    Lontong Sayur
    Different Malay communities have their own version of lontong- we have our own version in Singapore too. Today's So Yummy Recipes' 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.

    Fried Rice

    Thai Fried Rice
    A great way to use up leftover rice by That Spicy Chick. 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 Wok and Kin recipe sans chicken bouillon stock (I used homemade stock instead) and annatto seeds and it was still delicious. Amazing scooped over noodle soups!
    Click here for the Vietnamese sauce 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!

    Tofu

    Lemongrass fried tofu
    Lemongrass isn't just good with meat, it also works really well with vegetarian/ vegan dishes such as tofu. Try this Wok and Kin recipe to find out yourself!
    Click here for the lemongrass tofu recipe.
    A plate of fried tofu marinated in lemongrass

    Japanese-inspired Noodles

    Vegan Soba
    This Baba Ganosh noodle soup is vegan but packed with flavour thanks to the lemongrass and other spices in the broth.
    Click here for vegan noodles recipe.

    Stir-Fry

    Vegan Stir-fry
    This Hurry The Food Up stir-fry has a creamy peanut sauce, and cooks in under 30 minutes.
    Click here for the Asian stir-fry recipe.
    Close-up of veggie stir-fried in a skillet.

    Curries

    Lemongrass is also used in a lot of curry pastes!

    Butternut Curry

    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 Little Sunny Kitchen recipe uses butternut squash, which is an ingredient that is not particularly common in South East Asian food. (It's good to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables! If you're a squash fan, I have a Korean-inspired butternut squash recipe here!)
    Click here for the Squash Curry recipe.
    Bowl of lemongrass butternut squash curry with rice and garnished with herbs

    Pumpkin Curry

    3 bowls of vegan pumpkin curry and white rice.
    Vegan pumpkin curry
    This one-pot curry by Little Sunny Kitchen is on the table in 30 minutes! Great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers!
    Click here for pumpkin curry.
    3 bowls of vegan pumpkin curry and white rice.

    Thai Curries

    Vegan Thai curry
    This Home Cooked Roots 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 Veg Recipes of India 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.

    Desserts

    Lemongrass & Rhubarb Cheesecake
    A unique take on a cheesecake by Eat The Love 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.

    For fragrant lemongrass drinks, such as Lemongrass Syrup for cocktails and Ginger and Lemongrass tea, click here.

    What are some of your favorite Asian lemongrass recipes? Do tag me on social media or leave a comment below if you try any of these!

    I have other recipes you may like here! :)

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    Hi I'm Zhen also known as GGG! 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 cooking for friends and family. Learning to cook late, I make sure my recipes go into enough detail for those new to Asian cuisine or who love a test kitchen approach to cooking!

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