Lemongrass vs Lemon Zest

A side-by-side guide to substituting Lemon Zest for Lemongrass (or vice versa).

Quick answer

Use 0.67 tbsp of Lemon Zest for every 1 stalk of Lemongrass.

Side-by-side

Lemongrass

Base unit: stalk

Read the full guide: Lemongrass

Lemon Zest

Conversion: Use 67% as much (0.67 tbsp per 1 stalk)

Tags: common

Notes: Use about 2/3 tbsp lemon zest per 1 stalk lemongrass. More acidic and immediate; lacks lemongrass's floral depth but delivers bright citrus.

Read the full guide: Lemon Zest

Calculate the exact swap for your recipe in seconds.

Open calculator →

When to use Lemon Zest instead of Lemongrass

Use about 2/3 tbsp lemon zest per 1 stalk lemongrass. More acidic and immediate; lacks lemongrass's floral depth but delivers bright citrus. The conversion is use 67% as much (0.67 tbsp per 1 stalk).

Common questions

Can I substitute Lemon Zest for Lemongrass?

Yes — Use about 2/3 tbsp lemon zest per 1 stalk lemongrass. More acidic and immediate; lacks lemongrass's floral depth but delivers bright citrus. Ratio: Use 67% as much (0.67 tbsp per 1 stalk).

What's the conversion ratio for Lemongrass to Lemon Zest?

Use 67% as much (0.67 tbsp per 1 stalk). For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.

Are Lemongrass and Lemon Zest interchangeable?

They are similar in most uses, but Use about 2/3 tbsp lemon zest per 1 stalk lemongrass..

Is Lemon Zest a better substitute than other options for Lemongrass?

Lemon Zest is one of the options SubSwap lists for Lemongrass. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Lemongrass substitutes.

Looking for more Lemongrass substitutes beyond Lemon Zest?

See all Lemongrass swaps →