Determining the amount of chopped or diced ginger needed in a recipe can be tricky, as recipes often call for “1 tablespoon of chopped ginger” or “1 inch of ginger diced” without specifying the actual weight or volume. To make cooking easier, we’ve conducted experiments to provide you with precise measurements for your ginger needs.
Fresh ginger is used after removing the skin with a vegetable peeler. The ginger can then be diced with a knife, grated with a coarse cheese grater, or thinly sliced with a mandoline, depending on the desired outcome.
Understanding the Ginger Root
After surveying the fresh spices section at the grocery store, we discovered that the weight of a 1-inch piece of ginger varies depending on its diameter. This can significantly impact the flavor of your food.
For our tests, we used a 2-ounce (56.7 grams) piece of ginger. Here are the findings:
- A 1-inch piece of raw ginger with a 1-inch diameter yields about 1.1 tablespoons chopped, weighing 0.26 ounces.
- A piece measuring a little less than 4 inches will weigh 1 ounce (28.3 grams) and measure about 1/4 cup when sliced.
- One whole cup of chopped ginger will weigh about 4 ounces.
- For cooking large quantities, 1 pound of fresh sliced ginger will yield about 3 cups.
Did you know? Ginger is a knobby fibrous root with smooth light brown skin and white flesh inside that grows in tropical countries. It can be used fresh, sliced, chopped, or grated, or it can be dried and ground. Both fresh and dried ginger have a sweet hot flavor, but fresh ginger also exhibits bright citrus notes.
A whole root of ginger, with several pieces attached together, is called “the hand.” The little pieces that make it up are called “the fingers.” And Queen Elizabeth I is credited with the idea of gingerbread man cookies. She had hard ginger cookies decorated with gold leaf and icing to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court.
Using the Information
Now you know how much ginger to buy the next time your recipe calls for a cup of grated, sliced, or chopped ginger. You can also use our custom conversion tool below for any specific “how much ginger in a…” measurements you need.
If you use a lot of ginger in your cooking and baking, consider investing in a good vegetable peeler to speed up the preparation process. We recommend the OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler, which we use regularly at home.
For those who haven’t used one, a mandoline is an excellent kitchen tool that makes cutting vegetables easier. We recommend the Mandoline Slicer with stainless steel blades for quick prep time. Both of these handy kitchen gadgets are user-friendly and inexpensive!
Custom Conversions for Ginger Root
One Ginger Root Equals:
- 5 Tablespoons (74 ml) of Chopped Ginger
Enter the amount you need in teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, gallons, milliliters, or liters to get the equivalent amount in chopped ginger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ginger root and ginger powder?
Ginger root is the fresh, raw form of ginger, while ginger powder is made from dried and ground ginger root. Ginger powder has a more concentrated flavor and less kick than fresh ginger root.
How can I store ginger root?
Fresh ginger root can be stored in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated place for up to one month. You can also refrigerate ginger root for 3-4 weeks by sealing it in a plastic bag and placing it in the crisper drawer.
How can I substitute for ginger root?
If you don’t have fresh ginger root, you can substitute it with minced ginger, which is sold in a jar online and in most grocery stores. Follow the replacement directions on the label. Another option is ground ginger, which is available in the baking/spice aisle of most grocery stores. Substitute 1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger with 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
What are some good recipes that use ginger root?
Ginger is a versatile ingredient used in various dishes, including stir-fries, fried rice, vinaigrettes, chutney, soup, stew, and marinades. It’s a popular ingredient in Asian, Indian, and Caribbean cuisine.
Ginger is a root vegetable that has appendages all over it that jut out like arms. One of the “arms” protruding from the main body would be a knob. The size of the knob you choose will depend on the type of taste you’re going for. After peeling, the knob should be chopped, grated, or sliced.