01
Balsamic Vinegar
10.01/2 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Sweet-tart, add brown sugar
10.0
gluten-free tamarind paste
substitute.
7 gluten-free substitutes for tamarind paste — top pick Balsamic Vinegar at 100% function match.
all substitutes on this page are gluten-free
top substitutes
02
Red Wine Vinegar
10.01 tbsp : 1/2 tbsp
Sharp and fruity; add brown sugar or molasses to match tamarind's sweet-sour depth in sauces
10.0
03
Cinnamon
10.01 tsp : 1/4 tsp
Warm and sweet, no sourness; use 1/2 tsp per tbsp tamarind in curries and stews
10.0
show 4 more substitutes
04
Cloves
10.01 tsp : 1/4 tsp
Intense and warm; use a tiny pinch per tbsp tamarind, add vinegar to replace sourness
10.0
05
Apple Cider Vinegar
10.01 tbsp : 1/2 tbsp
Sharp and tangy; start with 1 tbsp per tbsp tamarind paste, add brown sugar for sweetness
10.0
06
Limes
2.51 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Sour and fruity; dissolve in water first
2.5
07
Rhubarb
2.51 cup : 1/4 cup
Sour and tangy; thin with water for sauces
2.5
pitfalls to avoid
watch out
Balsamic Vinegar: Sweeter and less fruity than tamarind
watch out
Red Wine Vinegar: Sharp wine vinegar — no fruity tamarind depth
watch out
Cinnamon: Warm spice only — no sourness at all
watch out
Cloves: Watch smoke point at high wok heat
watch out
Cloves: Intensely warm — no fruity sourness
watch out
Apple Cider Vinegar: Sharp vinegar — lacks tamarind's fruity sourness
watch out
Limes: Pure citrus acid — no tamarind's dark sweetness
watch out
Rhubarb: Watch smoke point at high wok heat
watch out
Rhubarb: Stringy when cooked — strain for smooth sauce
watch out
Rhubarb: Tart vegetal — lacks tamarind's dark complexity