Out of Tamarind paste, one case
Tamarind paste substitute: pad Thai, curry & more
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Lime juice + brown sugar
Same amount as the tamarind paste
Plus 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice
The best tamarind paste substitutes are lime juice (1:1), rice vinegar + brown sugar (2:1), pomegranate molasses (1:1), or Worcestershire sauce (1:1). For pad thai, use lime juice + brown sugar. For curry, use rice vinegar + brown sugar.
- Best for —
- pad thai
One casethe full tamarind paste card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of tamarind paste | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lime juice + brown sugarpad thai | Same amountPlus 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice | No verdict on record |
| 2 | Rice vinegar + brown sugarThai curry | 2:1 vinegar to sugarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Pomegranate molassesMiddle Eastern dishes | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Worcestershire saucesavory dishes | Same amount | No verdict on record |
| 5 | Apple cider vinegar + honeygeneral cooking | Same amountPlus 1 tsp honey per tbsp vinegarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | White vinegar + brown sugargeneral cooking | Same amountPlus 1 tsp sugar per tbsp vinegarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Tamarind powder + waterwhen you have tamarind powder | 1 tsp powder + 2 tbsp water per 1 tbsp pasteWorks | Works |
| 8 | Ketchup + lime juicesome Thai dishes | 2:1 ketchup to lime juice | No verdict on record |
Lime juice + brown sugar
very similar · different texture
The closest substitute for tamarind paste, especially in pad thai. The combination provides the good balance of sour and sweet that tamarind offers.
- Best for
- pad thai, Thai stir-fries, Vietnamese dishes, sweet and sour sauces, marinades
Mix 1 tablespoon lime juice with 1 teaspoon brown sugar for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. This combination most closely mimics tamarind's sweet-sour profile.
Rice vinegar + brown sugar
similar taste, different texture
Excellent for Asian dishes, especially curries and stir-fries. Rice vinegar provides the acidity while brown sugar adds the sweetness.
- Best for
- Thai curry, Indian curry, stir-fries, sauces, marinades
Mix 2 tablespoons rice vinegar with 1 tablespoon brown sugar for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. Adjust sweetness to taste.
Pomegranate molasses
similar taste and texture
Rich, complex flavor that works well in Middle Eastern and some Asian dishes. It has the good balance of sweet and tart.
- Best for
- Middle Eastern dishes, Persian cooking, some Thai dishes, marinades, glazes
Pomegranate molasses has a similar sweet-tart profile to tamarind but with a different fruit base. It's thicker than tamarind paste.
Worcestershire sauce
different but good · different texture
Surprisingly good substitute with complex umami flavor. Works well in savory dishes and some Asian cooking.
- Best for
- savory dishes, marinades, some Thai dishes, sauces, stir-fries
Worcestershire sauce provides umami depth similar to tamarind. It's more savory than sweet, so adjust other seasonings accordingly.
Apple cider vinegar + honey
similar taste, different texture
Good substitute with natural sweetness and acidity. Works well in many applications where tamarind is used.
- Best for
- general cooking, marinades, sauces, dressings, when you want natural sweetness
Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon honey for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. Adjust sweetness to taste.
White vinegar + brown sugar
similar taste, different texture
Simple and effective substitute that works in most applications. More acidic than tamarind, so adjust sweetness.
- Best for
- general cooking, when other substitutes aren't available, budget-friendly option, marinades
Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar with 1 teaspoon brown sugar for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. This is the most basic substitute.
Tamarind powder + water
identical taste, similar texture
If you have tamarind powder, this is the closest substitute. Just mix with water to create a paste consistency.
- Best for
- when you have tamarind powder, authentic flavor, all applications, when you want the real thing
Mix 1 teaspoon tamarind powder with 2 tablespoons warm water and let sit for 5 minutes. This creates the most authentic substitute.
Ketchup + lime juice
different but acceptable · similar texture
Surprisingly effective substitute with sweet-tart profile. Works well in some Asian dishes and sauces.
- Best for
- some Thai dishes, sauces, when you want sweetness, budget-friendly option
Mix 2 tablespoons ketchup with 1 tablespoon lime juice for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. This provides sweetness and acidity.
How it behaves in this recipe
Tamarind paste is essential in many Asian cuisines, particularly Thai, Indian, and Middle Eastern cooking. It provides a unique sweet-sour flavor that's hard to replicate. The best substitute depends on the specific dish - pad thai needs the sweet-sour balance of lime juice + sugar, while curry can work with vinegar-based substitutes.
Tips for substituting tamarind paste
8 tips- For pad thai, lime juice + brown sugar is the best substitute - it provides the good sweet-sour balance
- In Thai curry, rice vinegar + brown sugar works excellently and won't overpower other flavors
- Pomegranate molasses is good for Middle Eastern dishes that call for tamarind
- Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth that works well in savory applications
- Always taste and adjust your substitute - tamarind has a unique flavor profile
- For authentic flavor, try to find tamarind powder and make your own paste
- Store tamarind paste in the refrigerator and it will last for months
- If using vinegar-based substitutes, add them gradually to avoid overpowering the dish
Notes on tamarind paste
- For a completely different approach, try using other souring agents like sumac or amchur powder
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different acids for layered flavor
- For beverages, consider using tamarind concentrate diluted with water
- For baking, you might use lemon juice + sugar for a different but complementary flavor profile
Questions
10 questionsWhat's the best substitute for tamarind paste in pad thai?
For pad thai, use lime juice + brown sugar (1:1 ratio with 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice). This combination most closely mimics tamarind's sweet-sour profile that's essential for authentic pad thai flavor.
Can I use Worcestershire sauce instead of tamarind paste?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce can work as a substitute in savory dishes. Use a 1:1 ratio, but note that it's more savory than sweet, so you may need to adjust other seasonings in your recipe.
How do I make tamarind paste substitute at home?
Mix 1 tablespoon lime juice with 1 teaspoon brown sugar for every tablespoon of tamarind paste needed. For a more complex flavor, use rice vinegar + brown sugar (2:1 ratio).
What can I substitute for tamarind paste in curry?
For curry, use rice vinegar + brown sugar (2:1 ratio) or lime juice + brown sugar (1:1 ratio). These provide the acidity and sweetness that tamarind adds to curry without overpowering other spices.
Is there a substitute for tamarind paste in Thai cooking?
Yes, for Thai cooking, lime juice + brown sugar is the best substitute. It provides the sweet-sour balance that's essential in Thai cuisine. Use 1:1 ratio with 1 teaspoon sugar per tablespoon lime juice.
Can I use pomegranate molasses instead of tamarind paste?
Yes, pomegranate molasses is an excellent substitute with a 1:1 ratio. It has a similar sweet-tart profile and works well in Middle Eastern dishes and some Asian applications.
What's the difference between tamarind paste and tamarind concentrate?
Tamarind paste is thicker and more concentrated than tamarind concentrate. If substituting concentrate for paste, use about ½ the amount. If substituting paste for concentrate, use about double the amount.
Can I substitute tamarind powder for tamarind paste?
Yes, mix 1 teaspoon tamarind powder with 2 tablespoons warm water and let sit for 5 minutes. This creates a paste consistency that can be used as a 1:1 substitute for tamarind paste.
What's a good substitute for tamarind paste in massaman curry?
For massaman curry, use rice vinegar + brown sugar (2:1 ratio) or lime juice + brown sugar (1:1 ratio). These provide the acidity that balances the rich, sweet flavors in massaman curry.
Is there a substitute for tamarind paste in reddit recipes?
Yes, the most commonly recommended substitutes on Reddit are lime juice + brown sugar, rice vinegar + brown sugar, or pomegranate molasses. The choice depends on the specific dish and your taste preferences.