Choose a global ingredient (or type to search) to see what it tastes like, where to find it in a typical US grocery store, and a practical substitute when you can't. Substitutes change the flavor a little — they're designed to keep you cooking.
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All ingredients at a glance
| Ingredient | Best substitute | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Fish sauce Thailand, Vietnam & Southeast Asia | Equal amount of soy sauce with a pinch of salt; or ½ tsp anchovy paste per tbsp. Vegan: soy sauce or tamari with a small piece of dried seaweed simmered in. | Asian foods aisle of most large supermarkets |
| Gochujang Korea | For 1 tbsp: 2 tsp sriracha + 1 tsp white miso + ½ tsp sugar. Flavor is close, though less complex. | International aisle of many supermarkets; Korean and Asian grocers |
| Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) Korea | Use half the amount of crushed red pepper flakes mixed with sweet paprika. | Korean grocers and online |
| White (shiro) miso Japan | For 1 tbsp: 2 tsp tahini + 1 tsp soy sauce. Different but savory and creamy. | Refrigerated section near tofu, or Asian grocers |
| Mirin Japan | For 1 tbsp: 1 tbsp dry sherry or rice vinegar + ½ tsp sugar. | Asian foods aisle |
| Rice vinegar East & Southeast Asia | Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, with a pinch of sugar. | Asian foods or vinegar aisle |
| Lemongrass Southeast Asia | For 1 stalk: finely grated zest of ½ lemon. Tubes of lemongrass paste are also convenient. | Produce section (fresh or tube paste) or Asian grocers |
| Galangal Thailand & Indonesia | Equal amount of fresh ginger plus a squeeze of lime juice. | Asian grocers (fresh or frozen) |
| Makrut lime leaves Thailand | For 4 leaves: 1 tsp lime zest, optionally with a bay leaf simmered in the sauce. | Asian grocers (fresh or frozen); some supermarkets carry them dried |
| Thai basil Thailand & Vietnam | Italian (sweet) basil with a few mint leaves. | Asian grocers, farmers markets in summer |
| Coconut milk Southeast Asia & beyond | For a dairy version: heavy cream thinned slightly with water (flavor will differ). Light coconut milk works but is less rich. | Asian or international aisle |
| Harissa Tunisia & North Africa | For 1 tbsp: 2 tsp chili paste or sriracha + ¼ tsp each ground cumin and smoked paprika + a little olive oil. | International aisle or Middle Eastern grocers |
| Ras el hanout Morocco | For 1 tbsp: 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp each coriander, ginger and turmeric, ¼ tsp each cinnamon and black pepper. | Spice aisle of some supermarkets, Middle Eastern grocers or online |
| Preserved lemon Morocco | For 1 preserved lemon: zest of 1 lemon + 1 tbsp juice + ¼ tsp salt. | Middle Eastern grocers or specialty stores |
| Sumac Middle East | Lemon zest with a pinch of salt. | Spice aisle or Middle Eastern grocers |
| Za'atar Levant & Middle East | Mix 1 tbsp dried thyme, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tsp lemon zest and a pinch of salt. | Spice aisle or Middle Eastern grocers |
| Chipotles in adobo Mexico | For 1 chipotle + 1 tsp sauce: 1 tsp smoked paprika + ¼ tsp chili powder + ½ tsp tomato paste + a few drops of vinegar. | Hispanic foods aisle of most supermarkets |
| Mexican oregano Mexico | Regular dried oregano with a pinch of dried marjoram. | Hispanic foods or spice aisle |
| Queso fresco Mexico & Latin America | Mild feta (rinsed) or ricotta salata. | Dairy case of most supermarkets |
| Ají amarillo paste Peru | Puréed roasted yellow bell pepper with a few drops of habanero or other hot sauce. | Latin American grocers, international aisle or online |
| Saffron Spain, Iran & beyond | For color only: a pinch of ground turmeric (flavor differs). There's no true flavor substitute. | Spice aisle (often kept near the register) or specialty stores |
| Smoked paprika (pimentón) Spain | Sweet paprika with a tiny pinch of ground chipotle. | Spice aisle |
| Feta cheese Greece | Cotija, ricotta salata or goat cheese. | Dairy or deli case |
| Bomba rice Spain | Arborio or Calasparra rice; reduce broth by about ¼ cup and don't stir. | Specialty stores or online; Arborio in most rice aisles |
Shopping tips for global ingredients
- Check the international aisle first. Many supermarkets group Asian, Hispanic and Middle Eastern foods together.
- Look in the refrigerated and freezer sections. Miso, kimchi, curry pastes, lemongrass paste and makrut lime leaves are often refrigerated or frozen.
- Visit a local international grocer. Prices for spices, sauces and fresh herbs are often lower, and the selection is much wider.
- Buy small, then stock up. Try a small jar first; once you know you love an ingredient, a larger size usually offers better value.
- Store it well. Refrigerate opened pastes and sauces according to the label, and keep spices in airtight containers away from heat and light.
Allergy reminder: many global pastes and sauces contain common allergens — for example fish or shellfish (fish sauce, curry pastes), soy and wheat (soy sauce, miso, gochujang), sesame, and tree nuts. Always read labels.