What can I use to substitute Kaffir Leaf?!

If you cannot get hold of kaffir lime leaves, it is possible to substitute with fresh, tender young lime or lime leaves. Use lime zest from common Persian or Mexican Key limes (6 leaves = 1 tbsp zest). You can also substitute other citrus leaves. You can use either lemon thyme or lemon verbena together with lime zest! Or even bay leaf with lime zest:

For each fresh Kaffir lime leaf, use:

?1/2 of a small bay leaf plus 1/4 tsp of lime zest and 1/8 tsp fresh lemon thyme; or
?1 dried Kaffir lime leaf plus 1/4 tsp of lime zest and/or 1/4 tsp fresh lemon thyme; or
?1/2 tsp of lime zest plus 1/4 tsp fresh lemon thyme.

You might want to try playing around with the amounts of each of the ingredients to get a taste you like, but these combinations all seemed to be better than just using any one of the substitutes alone. Lemon verbena can be substituted for lemon thyme in the above blends, but isn't quite as close in taste, to me.

Kaffir lime leaves may also be known as makrut leaves, kieffer lime leaves or magrood leaves.

Hope this will help!

I buy dried ones and they refresh in the hot stock, but like bay leaves are stronger once dried, I would use a bay leaf and one small sliver of lime peel, not grated as it is to strong, use a carrot/veg peeler and shave off one good slice and add 2 small bay leaves, just remove them before serving.

Hi: If you want to have a supply of these leaves, along with a pretty tree you can grow near a sunny window, try ordering one from this site: http://fourwindsgrowers.com/lore/kaffir_… I bought one about 2 years ago and it's about 3 1/2 feet high with loads of leaves! They also sell other citrus which do well in containers because they don't grow very big.

Me

teas fresh finely grated lime zest per leaf called for