A Substitute For Thyme That Will Excite Your Taste Buds

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If you’re looking for a substitute for thyme in your cooking, you’ve come to the right place!  Thyme is a delicious, herby flavor that can be used in a wide variety of recipes. Both lemon thyme and regular fresh thyme can be used in many recipes.

What can you do if you are looking for a substitute for thyme?

In this article, we will be sharing our top thyme substitutes and letting you know which recipes they work best in. We should first learn about the flavor of thyme before we can do that. This will help you choose the best substitute for your dish based on what element of thyme is most appealing to you.

About Thyme

What Does Thyme Taste Like?

Thyme is an earthy herb that has hints of wood, flowers, and grass. Thyme is described as mildly peppery by some, but it has a mild flavor. Thyme can be used in a variety of dishes because it blends well with other herbs.

What is the Flavor of Thyme?

Thyme tastes very much like the individual ingredients it is often named (ex. Oregano, orange, caraway, and thyme are some examples of thyme. It is also described as having a sharp lemony, minty, and aromatic sweet taste.

What Does Thyme Smell Like?

Enjoy the thyme aroma. Thyme smells like an herbal plant that is slightly spicy and woody. It smells like a favorite roast or a hint of oregano, just as you would expect from a pizza crust.

This is how thyme smells to me at least. What does thyme smell to you?

What is a Good Substitute for Thyme?

Thyme flavors blend better together than they stand alone. This is why you should consider this when looking for a substitute.

Keep in mind that some dishes may be better with a particular substitute than others. Based on the dish you are making, choose the best flavor.

1. Oregano

Oregano is the first replacement for thyme, as it smells similar to thyme. I was reminded of pizza with oregano on top when I smelled thyme. I would use oregano with any Italian dish.

2. Savory

The flavor of savory is similar to thyme and is a popular replacement for thyme. Winter savory is more subtle and earthy than summer savory. Summer savory is peppery and more prominent.

Savory is great for seasoning meat. It can also be used in many recipes as a thyme substitute, and it will last for longer periods.

3. Marjoram

Marjoram is sometimes confused with oregano because of its similar appearance. It has a hint of citrus and pine flavor. This herb has more subtle floral and woody notes than oregano, which is bolder and more aromatic.

Marjoram is a great flavor to add to meats, vegetables, salad dressings, and Italian food.

4. Herbes de Provence

This is a less obvious thyme substitute. It has many flavors that can be used in many recipes. Herbes de Provence is a herbal mixture that typically includes thyme and basil.

It also contains marjoram, rosemary (tarragon), and marjoram. Sometimes it also includes lavender.

It wouldn’t be wise to substitute rosemary for thyme. However, the Herbes De Provence seasoning mix would have a varied enough profile to keep a layered flavor.

5. Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is similar to Herbes De Provence. It brings together a wide range of seasonings that can be substituted. You will find basil, oregano, and rosemary notes most of the time.

You may also find garlic powder, sage, and cilantro in some varieties.

Thyme can be substituted by Italian seasoning.

6. Poultry seasoning

This is another clever way to substitute thyme. This mix often includes thyme, dried sage, and a few other seasonings like black pepper, marjoram, and nutmeg. You can substitute thyme for it, as thyme is in this recipe.

7. Basil

Basil is a versatile ingredient that adds a unique aroma to any dish. A small amount of fresh basil or dried basil can be used as a thyme substitute in pinches.

Basil is not as resistant to high temperatures and cooking times as thyme. Basil also packs a lot of flavors, so a little basil can go a long way. Use 50% less basil when substituting basil for the thyme.

8. Za’atar

Za’atar, an herb mixture that comes from the marjoram/oregano family, adds a unique, tangy, or nutty flavor to your meals. Also known as Thymbra spicata za’atar, za’atar may contain a hint of mint in its flavor profile.

Za’atar, a spice used in Middle Eastern cuisine is a good choice for dry rubs on meats. This seasoning can also be used to flavor vegetables, side dishes, appetizers, spreads, and dips.

9. Fresh Thyme to Dried Ratio

It should be easy to find thyme substitutes now that there are so many options.

If you don’t have dried thyme, you can substitute fresh thyme in a pinch. It’s delicious and works well with any recipe.

You can also substitute dried thyme with fresh thyme in recipes. You can always add more fresh thyme, but you cannot take it out of a recipe.

Online, you can find many different ratios of fresh and dried herbs. These range from 1/3 to 1/2 the amount required in the recipe for fresh herbs when substituting for them.

You can also increase the amount you use of fresh herbs by 1.5 times the amount in the recipe.

This may sound confusing. Remember that dried herbs have a higher flavor concentration, which makes them more potent in recipes. More (fresh) is less (dried).

A Final Thought

Thyme is an essential herb that makes every recipe stand out. It has a similar earthy and minty flavor to other herbs, but if you do run out, it shouldn’t be a problem. You can get the perfect substitute for thyme and make your dish. Click To Tweet