Ginger Paste – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is ginger paste?

Ginger paste is a savory and slightly spicy paste made primarily from ginger and used as an ingredient in a variety of world cuisines. It’s a convenient way to add ginger to any recipe without having to keep fresh ginger on hand or go through the tedious process of peeling and grating it each time you want to cook with ginger.

You can usually find ginger paste for sale in plastic squeeze tubes or glass jars with a lid. Either of these containers makes it easy to measure out just the amount of ginger you need to flavor a stir-fry or marinade or to add to a glass of tea or cocktail. 

In addition to regular ginger paste, grocery stores carry other flavor combinations. 

Where did ginger paste originate from?

Ginger root has been used in Asia for thousands of years, so it’s likely that the original consumers of ginger root also started making it into a paste for ease of use. 

How is ginger paste made?

Ginger paste is simply fresh ginger blended with a neutral-flavored oil (typically canola oil, avocado oil, or refined coconut oil) and a bit of water until a paste is formed. Food manufacturers that make ginger paste use industrial-strength food processors to get the ginger blended into a smooth paste and has an even consistency. 

What should I look for when buying ginger paste?

Since most ginger paste has a short shelf life and few preservatives, look for a container with a package date that’s close to your date of purchase. For example, if you purchase ginger paste on January 15, then a container that was packaged on January 3 is fresher than one packaged on December 20. 

Check the package to ensure that it is sealed and that no liquid is seeping out. If the container is translucent, look at the product to inspect for any signs of mold or spoilage. The color should be a golden yellow color, and the consistency should be thick and not overly watery. Because some oil is used to create ginger paste, the oil may separate from the ginger, and the packaging may indicate this possibility. Shaking the bottle a few times should help the ginger mix with the oil. 

When you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for ginger paste via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. 

How to store ginger paste

You should store unopened ginger paste the way it was stored at the grocery store. That means if it was in a refrigerator case in the produce section, you should place it in your fridge. If it was with the spices on a shelf, then you can keep it in your pantry or cupboard until you’re ready to open it. After opening, you should store ginger paste in your refrigerator.

To avoid wasting ginger paste that you aren’t going to use before it goes bad, consider freezing it for future use. Place small teaspoon-sized portions in ice cube trays or on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer the ginger paste pieces to an airtight freezer bag or container and store them for up to six months. 

How to tell if ginger paste is bad

Although ginger paste has a longer shelf life than fresh ginger (ginger paste can keep for two to three months in the refrigerator),  it’s not immune from going bad. Generally, the color will start to darken as it goes bad. The golden yellow ginger will become a dark brown, which is a sign of spoilage. The slightly spicy smell of the ginger will change into a foul odor. Finally, if there is any sign of mold, the ginger paste should be discarded. 

How to use ginger paste

When using ginger paste in a recipe that calls for a specific measurement, you can use one tablespoon of ginger paste for each teaspoon of ground ginger in a recipe. For recipes that are less specific and use a knob of ginger, you can use one teaspoon for each knob, or one-inch piece, of fresh ginger that the recipe requires.  

What can I substitute for ginger paste?

There are several substitutes for ginger paste, with the most common ones being to buy dried ginger or fresh ginger root.

For recipes where you want the flavor and aroma of ginger, you can use dried ginger, coriander, nutmeg, or mace in place of ginger. In recipes where you only need some spice, white or black pepper can give the food that bit of extra kick. 

When it’s the fresh flavor that a recipe needs, like in a drink or dessert, some substations that may be appropriate include lemongrass, citrus zest, ginger candy, or even ginger beer.

Save time and money by ordering groceries online

Not only will you save time by reducing the time spent going to the grocery store and wandering the aisles looking for everything on your list, but you also save money on gas and those impulse purchases. Ordering with Instacart is easy to do, and you can have your groceries in as little as two hours without having to set foot in a store! Shop for ginger, vegetables, meat, and all your favorite foods from the comfort of home. 

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.