Out of Palm sugar, one case
Guide to palm sugar substitutes
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Brown sugar
Same amount as the palm sugar
The best palm sugar substitutes are brown sugar (1:1 ratio), coconut sugar (1:1 ratio), jaggery (1:1 ratio), and maple syrup (1 cup palm sugar = ¾ cup maple syrup). Choose based on your recipe and desired flavor profile.
- The tweak —
- Pack firmly when measuring.
- Best for —
- Baking
One casethe full palm sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of palm sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown sugarBaking | Same amount |
| 2 | Coconut sugarAll applications | Same amount |
| 3 | JaggeryTraditional recipes | Same amount |
| 4 | Maple syrupBaking | ¾ cup maple syrup per 1 cup palm sugar |
| 5 | Muscovado sugarWhen you want strong molasses flavor | Same amount |
| 6 | Turbinado sugarWhen you want less processed sugar | Same amount |
Brown sugar
Sweet, caramel-like
Refined sugar with molasses added, provides similar caramel flavor and moisture
- Best for
- Baking, cooking, sauces, marinades, desserts, easy availability
- Texture
- Moist, granular
- 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
- All applications, when you want natural sweetener, authentic flavor
- 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, when you want unrefined sugar, complex flavor
- 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, when you need liquid sweetener
- 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
- When you want strong molasses flavor, rich dishes, unrefined sugar
- 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
- When you want less processed sugar, lighter flavor
- 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.
The longer answer
About this case
Palm sugar is a natural sweetener prized for its complex flavor and caramel notes, but it's not always easy to find.
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
Notes on palm sugar
- BakingBrown sugar, Coconut sugarProvide similar moisture content and textureUse 1:1 ratio, pack brown sugar firmly when measuring
- Thai cookingCoconut sugar, JaggeryProvide authentic flavor and traditional characterUse 1:1 ratio, dissolve completely in warm liquids
- SaucesBrown sugar, Maple syrupDissolve easily and provide good flavorReduce liquids if using maple syrup, taste and adjust
- BeveragesCoconut sugar, Maple syrupDissolve easily and provide good flavorUse 1:1 ratio for coconut sugar, ¾ ratio for maple syrup
- Traditional recipesJaggery, Coconut sugarProvide unrefined character and complex flavorGrate jaggery if hard, use 1:1 ratio for both
Questions
7 questionsWhat's the best substitute for palm sugar?
The best substitute depends on your recipe. For general use, brown sugar (1:1 ratio) is most accessible. For authentic flavor, coconut sugar (1:1 ratio) is best. For traditional recipes, jaggery (1:1 ratio) works well.
Can I use brown sugar instead of palm sugar?
Yes, brown sugar is an excellent substitute for palm sugar using a 1:1 ratio. It provides similar caramel flavor and moisture content.
Is coconut sugar the same as palm sugar?
Coconut sugar is made from coconut palm sap, while palm sugar can be made from various palm trees. They're very similar in flavor and can be used interchangeably.
How do I substitute palm sugar in baking?
Use brown sugar or coconut sugar in a 1:1 ratio for baking. Pack brown sugar firmly when measuring to ensure accurate amounts.
Can I use maple syrup instead of palm sugar?
Yes, but use ¾ cup maple syrup for every 1 cup palm sugar and reduce other liquids in your recipe by 2-3 tablespoons.
What'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.
Is jaggery a good substitute for palm sugar?
Yes, jaggery is an excellent substitute for palm sugar as it's also unrefined and provides rich, complex flavor similar to palm sugar.