Out of Tamarind paste, one case
Tamarind paste substitute Reddit: community recommendations
7 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
According to Reddit communities, the most recommended tamarind paste substitutes are lime juice + brown sugar (1:1 ratio with 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice), rice vinegar + brown sugar (2:1 ratio), or pomegranate molasses (1:1 ratio). These are the most commonly suggested alternatives in Reddit cooking discussions.
- Best for —
- Pad thai (most recommended on Reddit)
One casethe full tamarind paste card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of tamarind paste | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lime juice + brown sugarPad thai (most recommended on Reddit) | Same amountPlus 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice | No verdict on record |
| 2 | Rice vinegar + brown sugarAsian dishes (Reddit favorite) | 2:1 vinegar to sugarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Pomegranate molassesMiddle Eastern dishes (Reddit favorite) | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | White wine vinegar + brown sugarBudget-friendly cooking (Reddit favorite) | Same amountPlus 1 tsp sugar per tbsp vinegarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Apple cider vinegar + honeyNatural cooking (Reddit favorite) | Same amountPlus 1 tsp honey per tbsp vinegarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Worcestershire sauce + brown sugarSavory dishes (Reddit favorite) | Same amountPlus 1 tsp sugar per tbsp Worcestershire | No verdict on record |
| 7 | Ketchup + lime juiceQuick substitutes (Reddit favorite) | 2:1 ketchup to lime juice | No verdict on record |
Lime juice + brown sugar
very similar · different texture
The most recommended substitute on Reddit. Users consistently praise this combination for its close flavor match to tamarind paste.
- Best for
- Pad thai (most recommended on Reddit), Thai cooking, When you want the closest flavor match, General cooking
Reddit users consistently recommend mixing 1 tablespoon lime juice with 1 teaspoon brown sugar for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. This is the most upvoted substitute in cooking communities.
Rice vinegar + brown sugar
similar taste, different texture
Highly recommended on Reddit for Asian dishes. Users praise its clean acidity and effectiveness in curry and stir-fries.
- Best for
- Asian dishes (Reddit favorite), Curry, Stir-fries, When you want clean acidity
Reddit users recommend mixing 2 tablespoons rice vinegar with 1 tablespoon brown sugar for every tablespoon of tamarind paste. This is especially popular in Asian cooking communities.
Pomegranate molasses
similar taste and texture
Frequently recommended on Reddit for Middle Eastern dishes. Users love its rich, complex flavor and similar consistency.
- Best for
- Middle Eastern dishes (Reddit favorite), Persian cooking, When you want complex flavor, Rich, sweet-sour profile
Reddit users consistently recommend pomegranate molasses as a 1:1 substitute. It's especially popular in Middle Eastern cooking communities and food substitution discussions.
White wine vinegar + brown sugar
similar taste, different texture
Commonly suggested on Reddit for budget-friendly cooking. Users appreciate its simplicity and effectiveness.
- Best for
- Budget-friendly cooking (Reddit favorite), When other substitutes aren't available, General cooking, Quick preparation
Reddit users often suggest this as a simple, effective substitute. It's popular in budget cooking and meal prep communities.
Apple cider vinegar + honey
similar taste, different texture
Recommended on Reddit for natural cooking. Users appreciate its health benefits and complex flavor.
- Best for
- Natural cooking (Reddit favorite), When you want honey sweetness, Health-conscious cooking, Complex flavor profiles
Reddit users in health and natural cooking communities often recommend this combination. It's popular for its natural ingredients and health benefits.
Worcestershire sauce + brown sugar
different but good · different texture
Surprisingly popular on Reddit for savory dishes. Users appreciate its umami depth and effectiveness in certain applications.
- Best for
- Savory dishes (Reddit favorite), Marinades, When you want umami depth, Some Thai dishes
Reddit users often suggest Worcestershire sauce + brown sugar for savory applications. It's popular in cooking communities for its umami properties.
Ketchup + lime juice
different but acceptable · similar texture
Frequently mentioned on Reddit as a quick, accessible substitute. Users appreciate its availability and effectiveness.
- Best for
- Quick substitutes (Reddit favorite), When other ingredients aren't available, Budget-friendly option, Kid-friendly dishes
Reddit users often suggest this combination for quick substitutes. It's popular in cooking communities for its accessibility and effectiveness.
How it behaves in this recipe
Reddit communities provide valuable real-world insights into tamarind paste substitutes. The most recommended combinations are based on actual home cooking experiences and community feedback. These recommendations reflect what works in practice rather than just theoretical substitutions.
Tips for substituting tamarind paste
8 tips- Reddit users consistently recommend lime juice + brown sugar for pad thai - it's the most upvoted substitute
- For curry, rice vinegar + brown sugar is highly recommended in Asian cooking communities
- Pomegranate molasses is a Reddit favorite for Middle Eastern dishes
- Reddit users often suggest tasting and adjusting your substitute to match your preferences
- Budget cooking communities on Reddit frequently recommend white wine vinegar + brown sugar
- Health-conscious Reddit users often suggest apple cider vinegar + honey for natural cooking
- Reddit users recommend storing any leftover substitute in the refrigerator for future use
- Cooking communities on Reddit suggest experimenting with different combinations to find what works best for your taste
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
8 questionsWhat do Reddit users recommend for tamarind paste substitute?
According to Reddit communities, the most recommended substitutes are lime juice + brown sugar (1:1 ratio with 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice), rice vinegar + brown sugar (2:1 ratio), or pomegranate molasses (1:1 ratio). These are the most commonly suggested alternatives in Reddit cooking discussions.
What's the most popular tamarind substitute on Reddit?
Lime juice + brown sugar is the most popular substitute on Reddit, especially for pad thai. It's consistently upvoted and recommended across cooking communities.
Do Reddit users recommend Worcestershire sauce as a substitute?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce + brown sugar is surprisingly popular on Reddit for savory dishes. Users appreciate its umami depth and effectiveness in certain applications.
What do Reddit users say about pomegranate molasses?
Reddit users consistently recommend pomegranate molasses as a 1:1 substitute, especially for Middle Eastern dishes. It's highly praised for its rich, complex flavor and similar consistency.
Do Reddit users recommend ketchup as a substitute?
Yes, ketchup + lime juice is frequently mentioned on Reddit as a quick, accessible substitute. Users appreciate its availability and effectiveness, especially when other ingredients aren't available.
What do Reddit users say about vinegar substitutes?
Reddit users highly recommend rice vinegar + brown sugar for Asian dishes and white wine vinegar + brown sugar for budget-friendly cooking. Both are popular in cooking communities.
Do Reddit users recommend making tamarind paste at home?
Yes, Reddit users often suggest making tamarind paste at home using tamarind powder + water. This is especially popular in cooking communities for authentic flavor.
What do Reddit users say about the best substitute for pad thai?
Reddit users consistently recommend lime juice + brown sugar for pad thai. This combination is the most upvoted and recommended substitute in Thai cooking communities.