What can I substitute for jaggery?
Running low on jaggery? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About jaggery
Jaggery is an unrefined cane or palm sugar common across South Asian, Southeast Asian, and African cuisines, made by boiling and concentrating sugarcane juice or palm sap without separating the molasses. It has a rich, complex flavour with caramel, toffee, and earthy notes that distinguish it from refined sugars. Sold in solid blocks, discs, or granulated form, it is prized for its deep colour and mineral richness in both sweet and savoury dishes.
Best substitute
dark brown sugar
Dark brown sugar is the closest widely available substitute, sharing a high molasses content that mimics jaggery's deep, caramel-like flavour. It dissolves more easily than block jaggery but lacks the slight earthiness of palm or cane varieties.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of jaggery
bakingcurriessauceschutneyssweetsNot suitable for: authentic flavour reproduction
Alternative
coconut sugar
Coconut sugar is made from palm sap, giving it a similar unrefined, caramel-forward flavour profile that closely approximates palm jaggery in particular. It is granulated, so no grating or breaking is required before use.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of jaggery
bakingsweetscurriesbeverages
Alternative
muscovado sugar
Muscovado is an unrefined cane sugar with a very high molasses content and a robust, slightly sticky texture, making it one of the most flavour-accurate substitutes for jaggery. Its intense toffee and molasses notes replicate jaggery's complexity better than standard brown sugar.
What is jaggery called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | jaggery |
| Canada | jaggery |
| New Zealand | jaggery |
| United Kingdom | jaggery |
| United States | jaggery |
