When you’re ready to bring that fresh, zesty flavor from your garden into your kitchen, knowing how to prep your lemongrass is key. Not every part of the plant is a winner in the kitchen, and because lemongrass is surprisingly tough, you’ll want to grab your sharpest knife before you get started.
How to Harvest Your Lemongrass
The great thing about lemongrass is that you can basically harvest it year-round. If you’re growing it in a pot on your balcony or right on your kitchen windowsill, you can snip off fresh stalks whenever the craving for a Thai curry hits. Just a pro-tip: be careful not to disturb the roots or those tiny new shoots starting to peek out. Keeping the base healthy ensures your plant stays lush and productive.
Winter Care and Pruning
During the winter months, it’s best to take it easy on the harvesting. Give your lemongrass a little “me time” to recharge its batteries so it can come back strong in the spring. That said, don’t ignore it completely! Go ahead and trim off any old, brown leaves and give the green tips a light haircut. This little bit of grooming actually encourages the plant to push out fresh new growth.
Trimming Away the Tough Stuff
Not every part of the stalk belongs in your dinner. Generally, you’re looking for the tender white parts at the bottom—that’s where all the magic happens. The long green tops don’t have much flavor and are usually way too woody to eat. While you’re at it, prep your stalks by peeling away any brown outer layers and cutting off the very bottom root end.
Use the Right Tools for the Job
Lemongrass is incredibly fibrous and hardy, which can make chopping it feel like a workout if you aren’t prepared. Always use a very sharp chef’s knife. If you’re finding a particular stalk is just too stubborn to slice, you can bruise it with the back of your knife to release the oils and toss it into your pot whole—just fish it out before serving!
Pruning for a Fuller Plant
Beyond just harvesting for cooking, giving your lemongrass a regular trim is essential for a bushy, healthy plant. If you notice your lemongrass is getting tall and “leggy” without filling out at the base, try cutting back the green upper leaves. This encourages the plant to focus its energy downward and sprout new bulbs and stalks, giving you a much fuller harvest in the long run.
