Mango powder, also known as amchur powder, is a popular ingredient in many types of food and recipes. It is an exotic and flavorful way to add a burst of flavor to your dishes. It has a tangy, sour taste, which makes it perfect for savory dishes like curries and chutneys.
The most common use for mango powder is in Indian cooking. The powder can be added to a dish either before or after cooking it. It can also be sprinkled on salads and yogurt for a sweet and tangy taste.
However, it can be difficult to find at times. The good news is that there are a number of different options you can turn to instead! Here are some mango powder substitutes that you might enjoy as much or more than the original.
The Best Mango Powder Substitutes
1. Tamarind Powder
If you are in need of a mango powder substitute, then tamarind powder is the way to go. Tamarind powder is a popular Indian spice used in a variety of dishes, including curries and chutneys.
Tamarind is a type of fruit that can be found in Asian and African countries. The powder is made from the fruit’s seed and can be used as a substitute for mango powder if you’re looking to add some tangy flavor to your dish. It also has a mild sweetness and a fruity taste, which makes it an excellent replacement option.
This powder tastes sweet when it is cooked with sugar, or sour when combined with salt. Tamarind also has high antioxidant levels and can help detoxify your body as well. Add tamarind powder to both savory and sweet recipes for an extra punch of flavor!
When substituting mango powder with tamarind powder, use equal quantities in your recipe.
2. Tamarind Paste
Tamarind paste is a popular substitute for mango powder, as it’s made from the pulp of the tamarind fruit, which contains many of the same sour and tangy flavors that mango does, and has a sour taste with sweet notes of honey and apricot. It can be found at most Asian markets and even in some mainstream grocery stores.
The tamarind paste has a liquid texture, which means that this substitute should not be substituted in baking. Use tamarind paste in dishes like stews or sauces where its juices are released and become thickened during cooking.
So make sure to change the amount when utilizing it as a replacement. Add at least half of the amount specified in your recipe. And if you’re adding it to something like a fruit salad, toss it in at the last minute so that it doesn’t lose any of its punch.
It is also worth mentioning that you can combine tamarind paste with sugar to create a more intense flavor profile.
3. Citric Acid Powder
If you’re looking for a mango powder substitute, citric acid powder is a great option.
It is a white powder that comes from citrus fruits and is one of the most common and versatile acids used in cooking and baking.
Your dishes will have an extra tangy taste from the citric acid. You can use it as a souring agent in lemonade and margaritas, in recipes like marinades or as a preservative. It can also be used as a sour salt to your meals, which will add depth and help balance out any sweetness.
You can find citric acid in crystal form or in ground powder form, and both forms should work for cooking with. Citric acid powder is used most often as a substitute because it has a similar flavor profile to mango powder and offers many of the same nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, and more.
Citric acid has been used throughout history in foods such as lemonade, which makes sense considering they’re both acidic in nature, but this substitution would only offer tanginess, so you’ll need something else to create sweetness.
4. Anardana Powder
There are many substitutes for mango powder, but if you want something that’s as close as possible, anardana is the way to go.
This spice is native to India and is made from dried pomegranate seeds. It has a rich, tangy flavor that is perfect for curries and chutneys, and it also contains polyphenols and antioxidants just like mangos do.
Anardana won’t add any extra sweetness to your recipe, but it does make it a bit sweeter, so you need to use it in moderation to avoid overpowering your dish.
The best thing about this substitute is that it can be found in most grocery stores, so finding it shouldn’t be too difficult.
5. Loomi Powder
Loomi is a Middle Eastern spice prepared from brined and dried limes that have been ground into a powder.
It’s a perfect substitute if you want to use it in marinades, salad dressings, or sauces. Although it doesn’t give off the same sweetness as mango powder does, it still has the tart citrus flavor of fresh lime zest, which complements many recipes nicely or if you’re looking for a substitute that will really pack a punch!
Loomi is also sour, like mango powder, but a bit stronger. And if you really want a hint of sweetness, then just add honey or sugar to your recipe – these two ingredients should get the job done just fine.
If you want to use it as a substitute, you’ll need to experiment with the proportions of loomi in order to achieve the desired taste because this will vary depending on what dish you’re making.
6. Lime or Lemon Juice
Some people don’t like the taste of mango, but if you’re one of those who can’t get enough of it, you may want to consider using a substitute. Lime juice or lemon juice are both popular choices for many as they create an acidic flavor that can add depth to certain dishes.
Both of these ingredients are full of vitamin C and will give your dish a fresh, citrusy taste. You can also make some adjustments to get the right color: Just add orange-colored food coloring until it resembles that vibrant shade of yellow. And because the juices are liquid, adjust the amount appropriately when adding them in place of mango powder in recipes.
It’s important to know that lime or lemon juice doesn’t actually make things sour; the acid in lemon juice lowers the pH level, which makes it taste tangy or tart. The juice only offers tanginess, so you’ll need something else to create sweetness.
7. Chaat Masala
You can use chaat masala as a mango powder substitute, but it doesn’t have the exact same flavor. However, if you don’t mind using something that’s not an exact match, then this spice will do just fine.
Chaat masala is a blend of different spices, including coriander and dried ginger. So, in theory, they should taste similar to one another. The only thing you might notice is that chaat masala has more heat and sweetness than what you’d find in mango powder. That said, there are other spices in chaat masala, like cumin seeds and ground black pepper, which you may enjoy.
It all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day. So, whether or not chaat masala is your top choice for mango powder substitute, feel free to give it a try!
8. Sumac
Sumac is a great alternative to mango powder, as it has a slightly tangy taste with an earthy, citrus-like aroma.
Sumac can be used in place of mango powder in any dish that requires the fruit’s flavor, such as curries, sauces, and chutneys. For example, if you’re making Indian Chicken Tikka Masala and need to thicken your sauce, adding about 1⁄4 cup of sumac will give your dish an added zing!
It’s not very common in Western cooking, but it tastes great sprinkled on any kind of meat, fish, or even vegetables.
Powdered sumac is available in many markets and has a slightly sour taste that makes it good for Middle Eastern dishes. Sumac can be used as a condiment and is often sprinkled on falafel, hummus, and other foods. If you are not a fan of its slight sour taste, try the mixture with sugar or another sweetener before cooking.
FAQ’s
What Does Dried Mango Powder Taste Like?
Mango powder is a popular seasoning in many different cuisines, including Indian, Thai, and Caribbean. It is a ground powder made from dried mangos that are peeled, chopped and then sun-dried or roasted until they are dry. The resulting powder has a sweet, tangy flavor that is slightly spicy with hints of nuttiness.
The taste can vary depending on how ripe the mangos are when they’re picked and what country they come from. As a result, it’s difficult to find a substitute that tastes exactly like this popular Indian condiment.
What Is Dried Mango Powder Used For?
Mango powder can be used for everything from flavoring foods like curries to making chutneys and sauces. In some cases, it can also be added to desserts like ice cream or fruit compotes to make them extra special.
Conclusion
There are many substitutes for mango powder, but there is no perfect substitute. Consider what you want the flavor of your dish to be before deciding which ingredient would work best.
So when shopping for an alternative to dried mango powder, it’s important to consider which flavor you’re trying to mimic.
