How to Prepare Lemongrass

Please allow lemongrass to (re)introduce itself. A versatile herb that can be used in all kinds of recipes, from marinades to curries and cocktails to stir-fries, lemongrass has a deep citrusy aroma that can typically be found in Thai cooking and other Asian cuisines. But while it can impart a bright flavor to any meal, this stalky plant can be more than a little intimidating to use if you don't know how to break it down.

In this article, we will go over where to buy lemongrass, how to select it, and the steps needed to take this herb from a daunting stalk to a delightful addition in your next meal.

Where to Buy Lemongrass

You can find fresh lemongrass in most Asian food and grocery stores. It is usually located with the other fresh produce and is often sold in bundles of two or three stalks. When buying fresh lemongrass, look for stalks that are fragrant, tightly formed, and of a lemony-green color on the lower stalk (near the bulb), then turning to a truer green at the end of the stalk.

Avoid purchasing stalks that are loose and coming apart as well as stalks that are brown and crusty or crumbling. These are old and probably not that fragrant or nutritious any longer.

If you can't find lemongrass with the fresh produce, check the freezer section. Because lemongrass freezes well, it is often sold in frozen packets of about six to eight stalks.

Once you have your lemongrass, the next step is to prepare it.

How to Prepare Lemongrass

To prepare lemongrass for cooking, you need a sharp serrated knife, a cutting board, and a food processor or mortar and pestle.

Remove the Tough Outer Leaves

The softer, fleshier part of the lemongrass (which is what you want to use in your cooking) is located under the tough outer leaves. Peel away these layers with your fingers and discard them. What you will uncover is a pale yellow stalk that is softer and easier to slice.

Cut off the Bulb

Use a sharp serrated knife to slice off the lower bulb. If you cut about 2 inches from the end, you should be able to remove the whole bulb, plus a little more. Discard the bulb.

Slice the Lemongrass

Now it should be fairly easy to cut up the lemongrass. Starting from the lower end (where the bulb was), make thin slices of up to two-thirds of the stalk.

Reserve the Upper Stalks

Stop slicing when you have cut two-thirds of the way up the stalk, or when it is no longer yellow and fleshy. The upper end the stalk will be mostly green and woody but is still useful in cooking soups and curries. Reserve this top end of the stalk for your recipe.

Do the same for the other stalks, depending on how many stalks or tablespoons of prepared lemongrass the recipe calls for. (You can also choose to prepare all the stalks at once for use later).

Make Use of the Upper Stalk

With lemongrass, very little is wasted. You can use the upper, reserved stalk to add even more flavor and fragrance to soups and curries. Simply make several superficial cuts along the length of the stalk with your serrated knife. Then, holding the lemongrass at either end, gently bend it several times to "bruise" it. This will release the fragrance and flavor. Now throw the stalk into your soup or curry pot.

Be sure to warn guests the stalk is inedible.

Chop the Lemongrass

Because lemongrass is so firm and fibrous, it helps to process the slices a little further. Place the sliced lemongrass in a food processor (or chopper) and process well on "high." Or, pound it for a minute or two with a pestle and mortar.

It's possible to use the lemongrass slices as they are, but the thicker slices will be difficult to eat and your guests will end up spitting them out.

How to Use Lemongrass

Your lemongrass should now appear finer—almost like yellow-green flakes. It is now ready to use in recipes such as curries or soups. Note that the lemongrass still needs to be cooked or boiled for at least five minutes before it is soft enough to be edible.

Use the lemongrass immediately, or store lemongrass by freezing it in a sealed container in your freezer.

Lemongrass Recipes

Use your processed lemongrass to create wonderful Thai soups or dishes, such as:

• Tom Yum Soup
• Thai Green Curry
• Thai Massaman Chicken Curry
• Thai-Style Vegan Stir-Fry
• Vietnamese Noodles Salad With Beef
• Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
• Lemongrass Ginger Sauce
• Easy Lemongrass Chicken

Substitutions

If you can't find lemongrass or are in a bind, you can substitute lemon or lime juice in its place. Just keep in mind that the citrus won't be able to fully take the place of the flavor of lemongrass.

If you are using ground lemongrass powder, make sure that you use 1 teaspoon ground for 1 stalk of fresh lemongrass.