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Italian seasoning is usually a blend of dried herbs consisting of oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and coriander.
The blend might not consist of everything mentioned as the spices as it varies depending on the brand. This seasoning is not Italian; it is popular in the Mediterranean. So, are you making a recipe that calls for Italian seasoning, but you don’t have any at all?
Not to worry, you can easily use other substitutes for Italian seasoning, such as herbes de provence, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, pizza seasoning, Greek seasoning, Za’atar, fresh herbs, dried oregano and basil.
Let’s learn more about these options and why they can be substituted for Italian seasoning!
Best Substitutes for Italian Seasoning
1. Dried Oregano and Basil
A great substitute is a combination of dried oregano and basil, as these dried herbs have the most assertive flavor profile in Italian seasoning. If you have dried thyme, you can also add a little of that.
When using this substitute, you should use ½ teaspoon of dried oregano and ½ teaspoon of dried basil to replace a tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
If you’re going to be including thyme in the seasoning, ½ teaspoon of dried oregano ¼ teaspoon each of dried basil and thyme will do the trick.
2. Herbes De Provence
The best part of herbes de provence is that most of the ingredients used to make it are similar to Italian seasoning. Even if you cannot easily find this seasoning in stores, it is an excellent substitute for Italian seasoning.
It is made from rosemary, savory, marjoram, oregano, and thyme. When using Herbes de Provence as a substitute for Italian seasoning, you should use it in a ratio of 1:1.
3. Marjoram
Marjoram tastes almost like Italian seasoning, but the significant difference is that it is a bit sweeter than Italian seasoning.
Marjoram is very versatile as it also works well for rice, beans, tomato dishes, and also veggie dishes. You can also sprinkle this condiment over a fresh salad or add it to a minced meat mixture.
4. Thyme
Thyme is a prevalent herb that we can always find lying around in our homes. It is ideal for meats, fish, soups, and even stews. It is also used for seasoning lamb dishes as it gives it a natural outburst of intense flavors.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary is the perfect seasoning for meats, lamb dishes, chicken, and pork. Rosemary has a potent taste, so however, you use it, ensure you use it well. It is excellent in potatoes, lentils, and beans, and it is also ideal for flavoring cheeses and olive oil.
6. Fresh Herbs
Do you know what is better than using a mixture of dried herbs? Using fresh herbs straight from the grocery store. If you have fresh oregano and basil, you could also use that as a substitute.
A significant thing to note is that since dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor than fresh herbs, you should add many other spicy fresh herbs in your dish, too, to bring out that intense flavor.
You should incorporate fresh herbs into your dish to prepare the recipe. After all, when fresh herbs are cooked for too long, they tend to lose their taste, unlike dried herbs which have to be simmered for a long time because their taste comes out.
7. Pizza Seasoning
Some of us might be wondering how pizza seasoning can be used as a substitute. It is one of the best seasonings you can use because when you look at the ingredients used in pizza seasoning, it is also similar to the ingredients used in Italian seasonings.
Typical pizza seasoning blends consist of sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, yeast, thyme, smoked paprika, oregano, and basil. When swapping this for Italian seasoning, you should do it in 1:1.
8. Greek Seasoning
A typical Greek seasoning consists of basil, pepper, salt, nutmeg, lemon peel, and cinnamon. Because it has these savory flavors with mint notes, it can also substitute Italian seasoning.
But when substituting it for Italian seasoning, make sure the cinnamon and lemon peel won’t alter the taste of your dish at the end.
When swapping Greek seasoning for Italian seasoning, do it in the ratio of 1:1.
9. Za’atar
Za’atar is a middle eastern herb that means oregano, except it is written in Arabic. Za’atar also includes marjoram and thyme, which are no strangers to Italian seasoning.
Sumac and sesame seeds are also blended to make the za’atar, but I don’t think this should stop it from being a good substitute for Italian seasoning.
Sumac gives it a blend of healthy texture and rich flavor, which is very beneficial to our health. It is also rich in nutrients and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.
10. Homemade Italian Seasoning
The best substitute you could ever try out is homemade Italian seasoning. You need to mix certain popular condiments to make yours.
For this, you will need a tablespoon of dried oregano, two tablespoons of dried basil, two tablespoons of dried thyme, ½ tablespoon of dried rosemary, and a tablespoon of dried sage.
By mixing these correctly, you can get about three tablespoons of your homemade Italian seasoning. You can adjust the amount depending on the amount of dish or salad you will be using it in.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I Make My Italian Seasoning at Home?
Yes, the best type to use is the homemade type as you can control the amount of a particular ingredient you put in. for this recipe, you’ll be needing;
- 1 ½ teaspoon of oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon of dried basil
- ½ teaspoon each of dried sage and dried rosemary
All you have to do for this substitute is whisk all these ingredients together in a dried bowl and use them immediately or store them in a sealed container.
What Is Italian Seasoning Made Of?
The ingredients used in this seasoning may vary depending on the producer, but the significant seasoning includes oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.
Can I Use Italian Seasoning in Place of Oregano?
Since Italian seasoning contains oregano in a pinch, it is a good substitute for Italian seasoning, but you should only use this trick in Italian dishes.
Conclusion
These substitutes listed above will work very well as substitutes for Italian seasoning, but if you want to be using a single ingredient, make sure that it is done in a pinch not to alter the original dish’s taste.
