🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Tamarind Paste Substitute Reddit: Community Recommendations

Discover the best tamarind paste substitute recommendations from Reddit communities. Learn what real home cooks use as alternatives based on popular Reddit discussions.

Quick Answer

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 Substitutes

Lime Juice + Brown Sugar

1:1 + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp lime juice

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 cookingWhen you want the closest flavor matchGeneral 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

2:1 vinegar to sugar

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)CurryStir-friesWhen 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

1:1

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 cookingWhen you want complex flavorRich, 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

1:1 + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp vinegar

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 availableGeneral cookingQuick 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

1:1 + 1 tsp honey per tbsp vinegar

Recommended on Reddit for natural cooking. Users appreciate its health benefits and complex flavor.

Best for:

Natural cooking (Reddit favorite)When you want honey sweetnessHealth-conscious cookingComplex 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

1:1 + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp Worcestershire

Surprisingly popular on Reddit for savory dishes. Users appreciate its umami depth and effectiveness in certain applications.

Best for:

Savory dishes (Reddit favorite)MarinadesWhen you want umami depthSome 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

2:1 ketchup to lime juice

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 availableBudget-friendly optionKid-friendly dishes

Reddit users often suggest this combination for quick substitutes. It's popular in cooking communities for its accessibility and effectiveness.

Cooking 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What 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.

Summary

Discover the best tamarind paste substitute recommendations from Reddit communities. Learn what real home cooks use as alternatives based on popular Reddit discussions.