Are you looking for substitutes for oregano? Whether you are swapping oregano out to get creative in the kitchen or you’ve just run out of oregano at home, this post is your new best friend for finding the best oregano substitute.
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Table of Contents
About Oregano
Oregano is a herb that is commonly used in both fresh and dried forms. It is one of my favorites. Oregano is bold, comforting, earthy, aromatic, and the perfect blend of sweet and bitter. It is a popular herb for Italian, Mexican, Greek, and Turkish cuisine. It’s no surprise these cuisines use the herb so readily, as oregano is grown in Mediterranean countries and some parts of Asia and North America.
Nutrition
Oregano is rich in antioxidants and contains small amounts of calcium and iron. Antioxidants are so important in our body. They help fight free radicals and inflammation.
Dried Vs. Fresh
You can use dried oregano instead of fresh oregano in almost any recipe that calls for this herb!
Fresh herbs are always favorable for taste and adding texture to a dish, but dried oregano is easier to keep in the cupboard to have on hand at a moment’s notice. Some recipes also require one or the other. For example, a Greek salad with feta (or vegan feta!), red onion, green peppers, and cucumber works best with dried oregano, and garnishing is always best with fresh oregano.
When substituting oregano, use one-third of the quantity of dried oregano compared to fresh oregano (chopped).
A good rule of thumb is to use a 3:1 ratio. That is, three parts fresh oregano is roughly equivalent to one part dried oregano.
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Quick Guide
Here’s a cheat sheet for quick substitute for oregano.
- Best substitute for oregano in chili and soups: Try marjoram!
- Easy oregano alternatives on pizzas: You could use basil or marjoram.
- Go-to oregano substitute in Mexican dishes: Marjoram, which is a better match than Greek oregano.
- Must-try alternative for oregano in Turkish recipes: Thyme can help!
- Best Greek and Italian oregano substitutes: Basil, parsley, or tarragon would work.
The List: 25 Best Oregano Substitutes
What is a good substitute for oregano? Glad you asked! Here are the best herbs for substituting and what you should know about each.
- Fresh Mexican Oregano: If you’re making Mexican tonight, go with fresh Mexican oregano to give it an authentic flavor.
- Dried Mexican Oregano: The dried version works just as well, so go for it!
- Dried Italian Seasoning: Dried Italian seasoning contains oregano, making it a great fit for replacement in most dishes.
- Fresh Marjoram: Marjoram is one of the closest matches in flavor profile to oregano. You can choose this to replace fresh oregano in your recipe.
- Dried Marjoram: On your spice rack, dried marjoram can also be your hero to elevate flavors similarly to oregano.
- Fresh Basil: Basil brings the aromatics, though it will be just a little sweeter in flavor.
- Dried Basil: You can also choose dried basil to fill in when you need those aromatics, though it will be less earthy and sweeter. (Here is a quick guide in case you need to substitute basil any time soon.)
- Fresh Thyme: Use fresh thyme only when cooking to substitute oregano. Its flavors can overpower quickly if you add it at the end.
- Dried Thyme: Dried thyme can be subbed in at a 1:1 ratio for your oregano.
- Fresh Rosemary: Lemony and piney, fresh rosemary can substitute the oregano in your recipe. However, it’s much stronger so you’ll need less.
- Dried Rosemary: Dried rosemary may be a better option as the flavors are more subdued and less overpowering.
- Fresh Mint: Fresh mint isn’t the best option, but if you’re making a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dish, it could work.
- Dried Mint: Similarly, dried mint could be substituted for oregano in your Mediterranean or Middle Eastern meals.
- Fresh Summer Savory: Tasting much like a combination of oregano and thyme, fresh summer savory is a great option.
- Dried Summer Savory: If you only have dried summer savory, it will still be a great match in flavors for your recipe.
- Fresh Parsley: This substitute for oregano is best in Greek or Mediterranean dishes, especially when only a little oregano is required in the dish.
- Dried Parsley: You can also count on your dried parsley in a similar way.
- Fresh Dill: Dill is a bit more delicate and sweet, but it may be a nice touch in your Mediterranean meals.
- Dried Dill: Dried dill weed can help you out in the same way! (Here is a helpful resource for making dill substitutions.)
- Fresh Tarragon: Fresh tarragon’s flavors are quite similar, though it has a stronger anise-like taste. This means you should use only two-thirds of the amount of fresh tarragon to substitute oregano in your recipe.
- Dried Tarragon: Dried tarragon will also have strong flavors, so use less of it when filling in for oregano. (Here is my go-to tarragon substitution guide.)
- Fennel Seeds: You can also use fennel seeds to get flavors that are akin to oregano.
- Fennel Seed Powder: Fennel seed powder isn’t the best replacement, but if you’re making a soup or stew, it can add the depth you’re missing when you don’t have anything else to replace oregano.
- Fresh Sage: Fresh sage has a more pungent flavor profile, and while you can use it to sub for oregano, use much less to prevent overpowering the dish.
- Dried Sage: Dried sage can help as well, but adjust the amount and give it a taste as you go to be sure you add just enough and not too much.
FAQ
When you have fresh oregano, make plans to use it quickly. Storing it right can help prolong its freshness, and the best way to do that is in a plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. Kept slightly open in the fridge, it can last you a full week without losing freshness.
Airtight containers are best for dried oregano, and keeping it in a cool, dark place will maximize its flavors. Dried oregano will always provide the best flavor when you use it within 6 months, which is why it’s not always ideal to buy those big containers of it unless you use it in every meal you make.
Typically, dried herbs can last 1-3 years. However, this will depend on your storage methods, how hot your kitchen is, and what kind of herbs you use. Although, if you’re anything like me and you love cooking, your herbs may never even see their first birthday!
As mentioned, a good rule of thumb is that you should use one-third of the quantity of dried herbs compared to their fresh counterparts. This rule means that for every tablespoon of fresh oregano, you only need about one teaspoon of dried oregano.
Final Words
No herb is created equally (otherwise, it would just be the same herb), so it’s important to know that you can’t replicate the exact flavor of oregano in another herb variety. So, the best herb to choose if your fridge and cupboards are all out of oregano will depend entirely on the dish you’re creating. That said, the most similar herbs are basil, parsley, and marjoram. Hopefully, this post has helped you decide what herb to use instead of oregano in your recipe.
Reference
Conner, E. M., & Grisham, M. B. (1996). Inflammation, free radicals, and antioxidants. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 12(4), 274–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0899-9007(96)00000-8
Very detailed and informative.
Thanks, Jon. I’m glad you found it useful!
This blog post is great! It has so much information and answers so many of my questions. Thank you!
So glad you like this post, Amber. Do you have a favorite substitute for oregano?