Palm sugar substitutes
Palm sugar substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Brown sugar
Same amount as the palm sugar
Refined sugar with molasses added, providing similar caramel flavor and moisture.
The best substitutes for palm sugar are brown sugar, coconut sugar, jaggery, or maple syrup depending on the recipe and desired flavor profile.
- The tweak —
- Pack firmly when measuring.
- Best for —
- baking
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of palm sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 2 | Coconut sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 3 | Jaggerytraditional recipes | Same amount |
| 4 | Maple syrupbaking | ¾ cup maple syrup per 1 cup palm sugar |
| 5 | Muscovado sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 6 | Turbinado sugarbaking | Same amount |
Brown sugar
sweet, caramel-like
Refined sugar with molasses added, providing similar caramel flavor and moisture.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, sauces, marinades, desserts
- Texture
- granular, moist
- Prep
- Pack firmly when measuring.
More processed than palm sugar but widely available. Has similar moisture content.
Coconut sugar
caramel, slightly nutty
Natural sweetener made from coconut palm sap with similar flavor and color.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, sauces, beverages, desserts
- Texture
- granular, similar
- Prep
- May need to be ground if too coarse.
Most similar to palm sugar in origin and flavor. Less processed than brown sugar.
Jaggery
rich, earthy, caramel
Unrefined sugar made from sugarcane or palm sap with rich, earthy flavor.
- Best for
- traditional recipes, sauces, beverages, when you want unrefined sugar
- Texture
- hard, needs grating
- Prep
- Grate or melt jaggery before using.
Similar to palm sugar in being unrefined. May need to be grated or melted first.
Maple syrup
sweet, maple
Natural sweetener with distinct flavor that works well in many applications.
- Best for
- baking, sauces, beverages, desserts
- Texture
- liquid
- Prep
- Use ¾ cup maple syrup for every 1 cup palm sugar. Reduce other liquids by 2-3 tbsp.
Liquid form, so reduce other liquids in recipe. Has distinct maple flavor.
Muscovado sugar
rich, molasses, caramel
Unrefined brown sugar with strong molasses flavor and moist texture.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, sauces, when you want strong molasses flavor
- Texture
- moist, granular
- Prep
- Pack firmly when measuring.
Stronger molasses flavor than regular brown sugar. Very moist texture.
Turbinado sugar
sweet, light caramel
Partially refined sugar with light caramel flavor and golden color.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, when you want less processed sugar
- Texture
- granular, dry
- Prep
- May need to add a little moisture to recipes.
Lighter flavor than palm sugar but similar color. Less moist than brown sugar.
Questions
4 questionsWhat's the difference between palm sugar and brown sugar?
Palm sugar is made from palm tree sap and is less processed, while brown sugar is refined white sugar with molasses added back. Palm sugar has a more complex flavor profile.
Can I use coconut sugar instead of palm sugar?
Yes, coconut sugar is the best substitute for palm sugar as it's made from coconut palm sap and has a very similar flavor and texture profile.
Is jaggery the same as palm sugar?
Jaggery can be made from either sugarcane or palm sap, so palm sugar is actually a type of jaggery. They're very similar in flavor and use.
How do I store palm sugar?
Store palm sugar in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It can last for months. If it hardens, you can grate it or warm it slightly to soften.
Tips for substituting palm sugar
10 tips- Choose your substitute based on the recipe's flavor requirements and availability
- For Southeast Asian dishes: coconut sugar or jaggery work best for authentic flavor
- For baking: brown sugar or coconut sugar work well as 1:1 replacements
- For sauces: maple syrup works well but reduce other liquids
- For beverages: coconut sugar or maple syrup dissolve easily
- For traditional recipes: jaggery provides similar unrefined character
- For moisture: brown sugar and muscovado sugar provide similar moisture content
- For color: coconut sugar and turbinado sugar provide similar golden color
- For flavor: coconut sugar and jaggery provide similar caramel notes
- Always taste and adjust sweetness when using different substitutes