USDA OrganicVeganGluten-FreeNo Added SugarNon-GMOWhole30Keto-FriendlyNo Chili
The most versatile paste in the Mekhala range — and the only one with zero chilli heat. Stone-ground in Chiang Mai from organic lemongrass, turmeric, and galangal, this paste turns any dish golden, fragrant, and deeply aromatic. Use it for soups, fish marinades, stir-fries, golden rice, or anywhere you want the clean, citrusy brightness of Southeast Asian aromatics without heat. No fish sauce. No MSG. No compromise.
Free from: Chili Heat · Fish sauce · Shrimp paste · Gluten · MSG · Artificial additives · Dairy · Eggs · Added sugar · Refined salt
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
Mekhala’s Organic Lemongrass Turmeric Paste is built on two of Southeast Asia’s most beloved and health-revered ingredients: lemongrass and turmeric. Lemongrass — the fibrous, citrus-scented grass that underpins the fragrance of Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian cooking — provides a bright, fresh, slightly floral top note that makes every dish it touches feel clean and alive. Turmeric, the golden rhizome that gives this paste its deep amber-yellow colour, contributes a warm, earthy depth and a natural colour that makes even a simple bowl of rice look extraordinary.
Supporting them: galangal (the piney, peppery Thai ginger cousin that adds complexity) and shallots, which provides a hint of natural sweetness. The result is a paste that delivers bold Southeast Asian fragrance and depth, with zero chilli heat. It is the only Mekhala paste that works for everyone at the table — from curious toddlers to spice-intolerant grandparents.
This paste’s strength is its versatility. Lemongrass Turmeric is a genuinely all-purpose cooking base. It pairs beautifully with fish and seafood (lemongrass and fish are one of the great pairings of Southeast Asian cooking), with root vegetables, with lentils and legumes, with coconut-based soups, and with simple grain dishes where its golden colour and fragrance are as valuable as its flavor.
Like every Mekhala product, it contains no fish sauce, no shrimp paste, no MSG, and no artificial additives. Made in small batches in Chiang Mai in a reusable glass jar, by a female-led team committed to organic farming and ethical production.
SIMPLE TO MAKE
The key to great Tom Yum is good stock and fresh lime at the end. Don’t add the lime juice at the beginning — it turns bitter when boiled. Stir it in just before serving.
Bring 2–3 cups of good vegetable broth to a simmer. Stir in 2 heaped teaspoons of Mekhala Tom Yum Paste and dissolve completely. Taste and adjust — more paste for more flavour and heat, more broth to mellow it. The broth should be fragrant, spicy, and slightly sour.
2 heaped tsp paste + 2–3 cups brothAdd mushrooms (oyster, straw, or shiitake), cherry tomatoes, and your protein — tofu, prawns, or chicken slices. Simmer for 5–8 minutes until cooked through. For Tom Kha style, add half a can of full-fat coconut milk to the broth at this step for a richer, creamier soup.
Mushrooms · Tofu / Prawns · Optional coconut milkRemove from heat. Stir in a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice — this is the step that brings the soup alive. Add fresh lime after cooking, never before, or it turns bitter. Garnish with torn kaffir lime leaves, fresh chilli slices, and spring onion. Serve immediately.
Fresh lime at the end • Ready in 15 minutesWHAT’s INSIDE
Every ingredient is USDA Certified Organic. No fillers. No msg. No artificial preservatives.
✓ No fish sauce. ✓ No shrimp paste. ✓ No MSG. ✓ No refined sugar. ✓ No artificial colouring or preservatives. ✓ Gluten-free.
Please verify the current label for the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient information.
NUTRITION FACTS
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 teaspoon (6g)
Servings per container: 17
VERSATILITY
No chilli heat and a bright, citrusy, golden character means it works across an exceptionally wide range of dishes and cuisines.
Fry paste in coconut oil, add vegetable broth and coconut milk, add tofu, sweet potato, and spinach. A fragrant, golden soup with no heat.
Mix with olive oil and lime juice. Coat fish or prawns for 20 minutes before grilling. Lemongrass and fish are one of the great pairings.
Stir 1 tsp into cooking water for basmati or jasmine rice. The turmeric turns the grains a beautiful golden yellow with gentle lemongrass fragrance.
Fry 2 tbsp paste with diced onion, add red lentils and vegetable stock, simmer 25 minutes. A golden, fragrant dal that stands out from the crowd.
Toss cauliflower, sweet potato, or chickpeas in paste mixed with coconut oil. Roast at 200°C for beautifully golden, aromatic vegetables.
Fry paste in a hot wok with tofu or chicken and seasonal vegetables. Finish with lime and fresh coriander for a bright, fragrant stir-fry.
Whisk ¼ tsp paste into warm oat or coconut milk with a pinch of black pepper and a drizzle of honey. A more fragrant take on the classic turmeric latte.
Whisk 1 tsp paste with lime juice, olive oil, and a touch of coconut milk for a bright, golden, Southeast Asian-inspired salad dressing.
COMPLETE YOUR DISH
Lemongrass and turmeric pair naturally with anything clean, light, and golden. Here’s what works best:
EXPLORE THE RANGE
So you want to make Thai food, but you’re not sure which paste is for what. We made this comparison chart to help you decide which Mekhala product you should use – a cheat sheet for Thai pastes.
| Feature | 🍜 Tom Yum Paste | 🔴 Red Curry | 🟢 Green Curry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Soup paste ? clear or lightly clouded hot-and-sour broth base | Curry paste ? coconut-milk-based thick curry | Curry paste ? coconut-milk-based thick curry |
| Spice Level | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Hot | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Medium | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Hot |
| Flavour Profile | Sour, hot and tangy ? bright lime, lemongrass, galangal | Warming, bold, slightly smoky with citrus lift | Fresh, bright, herbaceous and aromatic |
| Key Aromatics | Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, galangal, dried chilli | Dried red chilli, galangal, lemongrass | Fresh green chilli, kaffir lime leaf, Thai basil |
| Liquid Base | Vegetable or chicken broth | Full-fat coconut milk | Full-fat coconut milk |
| Best Protein Pairing | Prawns, white fish, tofu, mushrooms | Tofu, chicken, pork, tiger prawns | Prawns, fish, tofu, chicken breast |
| Best Used For | Tom Yum soup, Tom Kha, marinade, fried rice | Curry, marinade, stir-fry, roasted veg | Curry, noodle soup, seafood dishes |
| Ideal For | Soup lovers · Seafood & light veg dishes | Everyday use · Most versatile | Spice lovers · Seafood fans |
All Mekhala pastes are USDA Certified Organic, 100% vegan, gluten-free, and free from fish sauce, shrimp paste, MSG, and artificial additives.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
The most versatile thing in my fridge
I use this paste every single week — in soups, as a fish marinade, stirred into rice, tossed with roasted vegetables. The lemongrass and turmeric combination is gorgeous and the zero heat means I can use it in absolutely everything.
Perfect for spice-sensitive family members
My elderly mother loves fragrant Asian food but can't tolerate any heat. This paste is perfect — all the beautiful lemongrass and turmeric flavour with zero chilli. She makes a simple fish soup with it every week.
The golden colour alone is worth it
Every dish you make with this paste turns a beautiful golden colour. Turmeric rice, golden cauliflower soup, lemongrass fish — everything looks as good as it tastes. A genuinely special ingredient.
Outstanding with fish — best marinade I've found
Mixed with olive oil and lime juice this makes the most incredible fish marinade. My guests always ask what I used. The lemongrass fragrance when it hits the grill is incredible.
My golden milk tastes like a completely different drink
I stir a tiny amount of this into warm oat milk with a pinch of pepper and honey. The lemongrass makes the turmeric latte smell and taste completely different from the powder version — so much more alive and fragrant.
Excellent — needs a good squeeze of lime to shine
The paste is excellent on its own, but the real magic happens when you add fresh lime juice at the end of cooking. It lifts the whole lemongrass character. Don't skip that step.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RETAIL
Mekhala is available at Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, H-E-B, Giant, and select specialty grocery stores across the US. Use the store finder to locate your nearest stockist.
At Mekhala, we believe in making great products that we want to use for ourselves and our families. And that means doing the very best we can with what is available.
We ask – what is this going to cost? Our health? Our planet? Our viability?
More often than not, it is immensely challenging to find the best balance. Read on here to find out how we’re doing it!
