Thyme Substitute

Thyme is a multi-use herb that has an earthiness flavor.

It is commonly used in cooking, especially for poultry dishes. 

It can also be used in soups, stews, sauces, and meat dishes. It can also be added to salads and vegetables.

It’s also a good idea to keep thyme around for cooking. Add a pinch to soups, stews, and sauces to give them a boost. 

However, finding a replacement for thyme is not too difficult.

Pairing this herb with most dishes means you’ll be able to use it for cooking up anything from pasta sauce to chicken soup.

You may be also interested in how to do food substitution properly and

Best Thyme Substitute for 2024

It is easy to find thyme substitutes online. Most of them are available at grocery stores and supermarkets.  Many are probably already in your pantry.

This herb is widely used in many recipes and its leaves are used as a garnish.  Many of the thyme alternatives can also be used to garnish your recipes.

Can You Use Oregano as a Thyme Substitute

Oregano is one of those herbs that has so many uses, it’s difficult to know where to start.  Oregano is similar to thyme but has a little more flavor. You can use both interchangeably in recipes. Dried oregano should be used sparingly because it can overpower other flavors. Because depending on how it was made it can be very strong.  So for dried oregano try using a 1/4 of the amount and taste before you add more.

Can You Use Marjoram as a Thyme Substitute

Marjoram is another herb that you can substitute for thyme. Like oregano, marjoram is often used in Italian cooking. It tastes very much like oregano, but it’s slightly sweet and has a milder taste than oregano. To make sure your recipe works well with both herbs again use a one-to-one replacement ratio of Majoram for Thyme.

In addition to being delicious, marjoram is also great for cooking. It adds a unique flavor to dishes and gives them a bit of extra kick. 

How To Use Marjoram as a Thyme Substitute
How To Use Marjoram as a Thyme Substitute

Can You Use Rosemary as a Thyme Substitute

Rosemary is a good substitute for Thyme, especially in soups.

I love this herb because it has so many uses. The leaves are great chopped into salads, soups, and stews. They add a nice zing to dishes and they taste wonderful. Use a little less rosemary when you substitute – I usually reduce it by about 40%.

Can You Use Tarragon as a Thyme Substitute

This herb is another amazing addition to the kitchen.  Tarragon is a good substitute for Thyme and can be used as a direct replacement. It’s often used to flavor fish and chicken and it adds a lovely flavor to sauces.

Can You Use Parsley as a Thyme Substitute

Parsley is best used as a replacement for Thyme recipes with have a cream base. The leaves of this herb can be added to soups and stews as well as salads. It has a slightly bitter taste but it blends in perfectly.

Can You Use Basil as a Thyme Substitute

Basil is related to thyme, but tastes a little different, but can still be a good substitute when used at 50% of the amount of Thyme recipe. You can substitute basil for thyme in most recipes. Use half the amount of dried basil as you do thyme.  The key is to add a little bit at a time and taste so you arrive at the right substation ratio for your recipe and taste buds.

Basil is often used in Italian dishes and can be found in many grocery stores.

Can You Use Italian Seasoning as a Thyme Substitute

Italian seasoning is a great alternative as it typically contains a little Thyme in its formulation.

It also contains many of the other herbs we have already mentioned above.

Fresh Thyme vs. Dried Thyme

Fresh Thyme and Dried Thyme have an almost identical flavor profile. When using dried Thyme use a little bit less than the fresh variety because it can be more concentrated.

Thyme is also commonly used as part of a traditional Italian seasoning blend called “Herbes de Provence.” In addition to being used to season meat dishes, soups, stews, pasta sauces, and other foods, Herbes de Provence also includes basil, oregano, rosemary, and sage.

What Does ThymeTaste Like?

Thyme is an intense herb with a flavor that has floral notes, not unlike rosemary that is blended with lavender. When cooking with thyme it has a taste that is a little bit mint-like. Some also say a very subtle peppery taste is present.

Cooking With Thyme

Thyme oil has many uses in cooking; it adds flavor, fragrance, and color to dishes. It can be used in place of lemon juice in sauces and dressings, and it can be added to soups, stews, and casseroles. I like to add thyme oil to chicken stock because it makes the broth taste better.

What is a Good Thyme Substitute for Chicken Recipes?

A good alternative is Tarragon for use with chicken instead of Thyme. What’s more, it’s a little cheaper than thyme and the flavor is much better.

I’ve also used Oregano in place of Thyme when making chicken marinades. It has a bit of an “earthy” taste that works well with many other ingredients.

Can I use Dill instead of Thyme?

Dill is an herb that tastes very different from thyme but works well if you only add a little at a time.

Dill works best with recipes that contain pork and potato. For example dill is often put on potato salad.

How important is thyme in a recipe?

Thyme is an essential ingredient in many dishes, especially those containing lamb, poultry, fish, and vegetables. It is used to give food a distinctive flavor and aroma.

Best thyme substitute for steak?

The best thyme substitute for steak is Rosemary.

Rosemary has a similar flavor to Thyme, but it is sweeter and slightly less pungent.

Best thyme substitute for soup

  • – Rosemary is a good choice.
  • – Sage is another option.
  • – Basil is also a good choice.

Are there any herbs that taste or smell similar to thyme that can be used as a thyme substitute?

most of the herbs mentioned above are similar in some respects. The most similar Oregano, marjoram and rosemary.