You can always go for thyme substitute when thyme is not there in your kitchen. Thyme is a multi-purpose herb that has an earthy flavor. Many people use this herb in cooking and seasoning varieties of dishes from meat to veggies. Those who use thyme on daily basis often run of this herb. In today’s article, I have sorted out 10 different substitutes for fresh thyme that are easily available in the market. You can pair this thyme replacement in almost any dish such as Italian sauces, hearty soups, and stews. If you are eager to find out the best thyme substitute, then keep on reading.
List Of 10 Best Thyme Substitute
Alright, now let’s first have a look at the best thyme substitute options that are available at this moment. Here, I have hand-picked thyme substitute that is available in India.
- Dried Or Fresh Oregano
- Dried Marjoram
- Italian Seasoning
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Sage
- Basil With Oregano
- Savory
However, you can keep on reading to know each substitute for thyme more in detail.
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Top 10 Substitutes For Thyme
From here onwards, you will get to explore all the above-listed thyme substitutes in-depth. You can grab your favorite one to include in your next recipe.
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Dried Or Fresh Oregano
Both fresh and dried oregano makes a great thyme substitute in any recipe. Most people use this herb to flavor spaghetti sauces and tomato & cheese-based dishes. As the flavor of oregano is similar to thyme, it acts as a thyme substitute for soup also.
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Dried Marjoram
The minty profile of marjoram is very similar to oregano. It can work as an excellent thyme substitute if you want a more delicate flavor. You can substitute fresh thyme with half the amount of dried marjoram. In the case of dried thyme, you have to twice the amount of fresh marjoram.
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Italian Seasoning
Just a pinch of Italian seasoning can be used as a spice substitute for thyme seasoning for an Italian flavor. You can blend this spice with nutmeg, marjoram, black pepper, rosemary, and sage and store it in an air-tight container for future use.
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Basil
You can even substitute dried thyme for fresh basil leaves. Thanks to its distinctive aromas! Basil can take the place of thyme in most of the recipes. For this, you will need to substitute 1 teaspoon of thyme with ¾ teaspoon of basil. Even the sprig of this thyme substitute is great for making lasagna, sauces, spaghetti, and shrimp salads.
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Rosemary
Rosemary has a slightly intense flavor than thyme. So, make sure you add rosemary sparingly to balance the taste of your food. Dried rosemary can also be paired up with other herbs to get that peppery undertone. You can use this thyme substitute for fish, stews, soups, and other Italian cuisines. You can even use rosemary oil as a substitute for thyme essential oil.
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Dill
Several Asian foods use dill as their key ingredient for garnishing. As dill is from the parsley family, it has a special flavor that is very closely like thyme. Make sure you use ¾ teaspoon of dill in 1 teaspoon of thyme. You can substitute thyme for dill in Middle Eastern dishes like soups, shrimp salads, pork, potato, and so on.
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Tarragon
Everybody loves the bitter-sweet flavor of tarragon with roasted root veggies. Tarragon is the mildest thyme substitute after rosemary. This generic herb can be used to complement the subtle flavors of fish and poultry. You can substitute tarragon for thyme in several dishes from poultry to soups.
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Sage
Sage is yet another alternative for thyme that is slightly bitter and minty in taste. So, remember that you will need ½ teaspoon of sage for 1 teaspoon of thyme. You can easily pick sage from your nearby grocery store and use this thyme substitute for pork and chicken. Along with these dishes, sage can work really well with turkey too.
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Basil With Oregano
When these herbs are mixed together, they can deliver a nice taste to any food recipe. The mixture of dried basil and oregano is widely used in Mediterranean foods. People love to use these herbs in pasta, meatloaf, meatballs, and chicken salads. You can use this thyme substitute in French onion soup also.
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Savory
Savory is another very popular herb that belongs to the mint family. You can swap fresh savory with fresh thyme to produce a good-tasting dish. You can go for this option instead of thyme with stuffing, creamy sauces, and soups.
FAQ
What Is A Substitute For Thyme?
The following herbs are the best substitute for thyme leaves.
- Dried Or Fresh Oregano
- Dried Marjoram
- Italian Seasoning
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Sage
- Basil With Oregano
- Savory
What Is A Good Substitute For Thyme?
Here, is a good substitute for dried thyme.
- Dried Or Fresh Oregano
- Dried Marjoram
- Italian Seasoning
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Sage
- Basil With Oregano
- Savory
What Flavor Is Similar To Thyme?
The below-listed flavors are similar to thyme.
- Dried Or Fresh Oregano
- Dried Marjoram
- Italian Seasoning
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Sage
- Basil With Oregano
- Savory
How Important Is Thyme In A Recipe?
This herb plays a vital role in balancing the flavors in several dishes. It can be used in stews, stocks, sauces, marinades without disturbing its original taste.
Are Thyme And Oregano The Same?
No, thyme and oregano are not the same. Thyme has a sweet and peppery flavor, whereas oregano has a pungent, earthy flavor.
Can I Substitute Sage For Thyme?
Yes, you can substitute sage for thyme in a 1:1 ratio. It can easily intensify the flavors of hearty dishes like game meat, root vegetables, and earthy mushrooms.
Which Is Better Thyme Or Sage?
Thyme has a similar herbaceous quality to sage, but it’s not nearly as strong. Of course it doesn’t have the unique earthy flavor that sage brings, but it will do in a pinch. You can use equal parts fresh or dried thyme for fresh or dried sage.
What Is A Good Thyme Substitute For Beef Recipes?
For beef recipes thyme is a classic. It pairs well with the flavor of beef and adds depth to beef dishes. Thyme makes a perfect crust for roasts, but if you don’t have thyme try using marjoram or parsley instead!
Do You Eat The Stems Of Thyme?
The stems of thyme are edible but are typically too woody to enjoy. The leaves are really what you are after, but leaving the leaves attached to the stem saves prep time. You can just remove and discard the stem and any attached leaves after cooking.
Any Substitute For Thyme?
Oregano, any given day.
What Is Another Name For Thyme?
Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, English thyme, summer thyme, winter thyme, French thyme, or garden thyme) is a commonly used culinary herb. It also has medicinal uses.
What Is Another Name For Thyme?
Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, English thyme, summer thyme, winter thyme, French thyme, or garden thyme) is a commonly used culinary herb. It also has medicinal uses.
How Do You Offset Thyme Flavor?
Adding a small amount of sprite or ginger ale will also help. You can add extra broth, water, milk, cream (depending on the soup’s base) to “water-down” the thyme flavor. Adding a neutral grain, such as rice or beans will help absorb it too.
Can You Substitute Ground Thyme For Fresh Thyme?
Thyme: Substitute 3/4 teaspoon ground thyme for every 6 sprigs or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme.
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Conclusion
Finding the perfect thyme substitute is no more a tough task! Above, I have enlisted 10 different herbs that can be used as a substitute instead of thyme. This includes oregano, Marjoram, Italian Seasoning, Basil, Rosemary, Dill, Tarragon, Sage, and Savory. Out of all the herbs, basil and oregano are my personal favorites. Both of them can be used in any Mediterranean dishes like chickpea quinoa salad or roasted vegetable pie. Even Dried rosemary can also be paired up with other herbs to get that peppery undertone. Now, go and grab your favorite thyme substitute and stock them up in your kitchen cabinet.
