Oregano is a flavorful herb that can really make a dish shine. However, sometimes you might just love it too much – to the point where your stores have completely run out.
Oregano is a potent herb widely used in various cuisines to add flavor and depth to dishes. As an essential ingredient in Mediterranean and Mexican recipes, it is known for its earthy, peppery taste and pungent aroma. However, there are instances when you might not have oregano on hand, or you may need to consider an alternative due to dietary restrictions or personal preferences. In such cases, discovering suitable oregano substitutes is essential.
Fortunately, a variety of herbs offer similar flavors and aromas, making it possible to maintain the rich taste of your dishes. Understanding the unique characteristics of these herbs, how they relate to oregano, and considering the type of dish you’re preparing can lead you to the perfect oregano substitute. With a bit of knowledge and creativity, you can easily find the right herb to complement your cooking.
Hey, we aren’t exaggerating. In recent years, we’ve seen shortages of the strangest things, so you never know if your needed ingredient is going to be available at your local supermarket. Or perhaps you’re like me and you live too far from the store to make a quick trip.
One thing you can do to make sure you always have oregano is to grow your own. Like most herbs, oregano is super easy to grow, and you can grow it outside in your vegetable garden, in an herb bed, or even indoors as a potted plant. You’ll need to plant it yearly because it’s not a perennial.
It’s too late to go out to the store to pick up some more, and you’re halfway through cooking. What should you do?
Not panic – that’s what! We’ve put together a list to get you through your cooking crisis and to help you unleash your inner Anthony Bourdain.
Or perhaps you suffer from an oregano allergy and are fed up with having to avoid cooking certain recipes just because it calls for the dreaded herb.
Oregano is a pungent herb that is most commonly used in pizza and pasta dishes.
It is one of the most popular herbs around the world because of its strong, punchy flavor. What makes it a truly versatile herb is that you can use it both fresh and dried.
The oregano plant consists of tiny leaves that pack a flavorful punch. When in bloom, this delicate plant shows off pink or purple flowers which are also edible.
It originates from Mediterranean countries such as Greece, where the literal translation of its Latin name – Origanum vulgare – means “joy of the mountains”.
It actually wasn’t a herb that was often used over here in America until soldiers returning from World War II made it a popular choice on pizza.
By now we’re sure it’s hard to imagine your favorite pizza without it! While it was a popular herb for pizza, oregano can also be used for making pasta sauces, pesto, seafood, chicken, hamburgers, and many more dishes.
While oregano can be used for cooking in both dried and fresh varieties, the two distinctions have a marked difference in the strength of flavor.
Oregano is one of the only herbs that is fine to be added towards the start of the cooking process, as the flavor can withstand whatever the dish has to throw at it.
Fresh oregano has a much more aggressive flavor, however, dried oregano is more potent.
Substitutes for oregano
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you try to be, you might not have all the oregano you need in the store cupboard for your required recipe. Or perhaps you’ve accidentally missed it off the shopping list!
Whatever the reason you need to find a substitute for oregano, it can be tricky knowing what to use instead. Especially if you’re more of a novice when it comes to cooking!
We’ve put together a list of 13 oregano alternatives for you to use instead below.
Dried oregano
If your recipe is calling for fresh oregano and you have none left, there’s no need to panic.
Dried oregano can work just as well as its fresh variety, and often will pack just as much of a punch as long as it’s used correctly.
An important factor to remember is that dried oregano must be used in a different quantity to its fresh variant.
The general rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano for every 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano required.
A top tip is to crush the dried oregano a little before adding it to your dish. This will help to release more of the flavor!
Amount required: 1 tablespoon of oregano
Substituted with: 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, olive oil-based dishes, meat marinades
Mexican oregano
You might be sitting there thinking, “Why would I substitute oregano for… oregano?” But Mexican oregano is a completely different herb!
This particular herb is actually from a different botanical family and as the name suggests, it originated from Mexico, not the Mediterranean.
Mexican oregano is known by several names. It’s often called Mexican marjoram or Mexican sage!
This particular herb is actually one of the strongest flavored varieties of oregano, which naturally makes it a great substitute for its Mediterranean counterpart. It’s even considered to be more potent in flavor than oregano!
Interestingly, Mexican oregano is often used in chili powder because of its strong pepper flavor.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 1 teaspoon of Mexican oregano
Best used for: Traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, stews, chilis, and many more
Marjoram
Did you know that oregano is often confused with marjoram? That’s because in the botanical family tree the two herbs are actually very closely related!
Over in the Mediterranean, oregano is sometimes known as wild marjoram, despite the fact that they’re two completely different plants.
Marjoram tends to have a subtler, gentler flavor than its potent cousin. The flavor tends to be sweeter than oregano and isn’t as pungent.
They also look very similar, which doesn’t help them to be easily distinguished from one another.
Just like its cousin, marjoram is suitable for use fresh or dried. This makes it a wonderful alternative to oregano for you to use in your cooking!
This leafy green herb is another popular choice for culinary seasoning. Basil tends to be used in a variety of different recipes, and can really make a dish come alive.
Basil is another herb that can be used both dried and fresh.
Fresh basil tends to be stronger in flavor, however, dried basil is more convenient to have in your store cupboard. Dried basil will also need less maintenance!
Remember to adjust the quantity of basil accordingly depending on whether you use it dried or fresh.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 2 teaspoons of basil
Best used for: Beef dishes, breads, potato dishes
Parsley
Parsley is another fantastic Mediterranean vegetable that has made its way onto our culinary palate.
This particular herb is very versatile, and tends to be used in a wide variety of dishes either as a seasoning or as a garnish.
The great thing about parsley is that it’s another herb that you can use both fresh and dried.
If you opt for dried parsley instead of fresh, remember to halve the amount you use. Dried herbs tend to be more concentrated than their fresh counterparts.
This flavorful herb will be the perfect alternative if you’re out of oregano or just simply don’t wish to use it.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 2 teaspoons of tarragon
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, salad dressings, chicken dishes
Dill
Dill is a fascinating herb that has become synonymous with seafood dishes. It also tends to be used for pickles and potato salads, but actually has a variety of uses.
Not only can you use the plant to add flavor to your dishes – you can use the dill weed seeds to give it a bit of spice.
This particular herb is suitable for use both dried and fresh, however, the fresher variety has a much more interesting flavor.
Dill is one of the herbs that can lose flavor the longer it’s cooked, so you’d be best adding it as late as possible.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 1 ½ teaspoons of dill
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, salad dressings, fish dishes, soups
Fennel
This fascinating white fibrous bulb is another great substitute for oregano. What really makes this an exciting choice is that the entirety of the fennel is edible.
The leaves, seeds, and even the bulb are frequently used in cooking. It tends to get confused with anise because of the similar flavors.
Fennel suits a variety of recipes, but particularly salads and roasted meat dishes.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 1 ½ teaspoons of fennel
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, salad dressings, soups, roasted meat dishes
Sage
Another popular oregano substitute is sage. This aromatic herb has an earthy flavor and is used both dried and fresh for cooking.
It tends to be used for lots of different savory dishes, particularly in stuffing around holiday occasions.
It may well be one of the more common herbs that you have in your store cupboard, making it the perfect substitute for oregano.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 1 teaspoon of sage
Best used for: Pork dishes, beef dishes, poultry dishes
Summer savory tends to be less bitter than its counterpart, winter savory.
This particular herb is also associated with German cooking. Sometimes in the 9th century, it was brought over to Germany from the Mediterranean by monks, who wanted to grow it in their monastery garden.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 2 teaspoons of summer savory
Best used for: Salads, sausage dishes, sauces, grilled meat dishes, bean dishes
Rosemary
Rosemary is a wonderfully aromatic herb often used to flavor meat dishes, particularly with lamb.
However, it is a versatile herb that can be used for a variety of recipes. It can be used both fresh and dried, and thanks to low moisture content it tends to retain its flavor when dried, making it incredibly potent.
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, soups, casserole dishes, poultry dishes, lamb dishes
Thyme
Another versatile herb, thyme is used in a variety of dishes. Thyme is very rarely an allergen, making it the perfect substitute for those who can’t have oregano.
This particular herb tends to release more flavor for the longer that it’s cooked. You also won’t have to worry about thyme breaking down during the cooking process.
Thyme can be used both fresh and dried. Its flavor is also very similar to oregano.
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 2 teaspoons of thyme
Best used for: Beef dishes, breads, salad dressings, potato dishes, bean dishes, tomato-based dishes
Dried Italian seasoning
If you haven’t got any oregano left in your store cupboard, dried Italian seasoning can make a good alternative. That’s because it includes oregano as one of the herbs it uses!
Dried Italian seasoning also tends to include basil, marjoram, rosemary, and thyme. So you’ll have more than enough flavor to bring your dishes to life!
Amount required: 2 teaspoons of oregano
Substituted with: 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, pasta dishes, fish dishes, chicken dishes
Combining substituted ingredients
Sometimes to get the flavor just right, you might need more than one substitution.
The great news is that as long as you’ve got the majority of the alternative ingredients from above in your store cupboard – or even just a few of them – you can combine them to create the ultimate oregano substitute.
With these in your cooking arsenal, you won’t even notice the difference!
Why not try some of these substitution combinations below to get cooking dishes you love?
Substituted with: 1 teaspoon of marjoram and 1 teaspoon of thyme
Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, chicken dishes, pork dishes, breads, vegetable dishes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use mixed herbs instead of oregano?
You can use mixed herbs instead of oregano, yes. That’s because oregano is one of the herbs that’s included in the mixture! If you tend to have lots of mixed herbs leftover in your store cupboard but haven’t managed to get to the store to replace your oregano, then mixed herbs will be a fantastic alternative. You can also use any Italian seasoning that you’ve got in your cupboard, too.
It’s important to remember that because mixed herbs aren’t just oregano, it will slightly alter the taste of your dish. It will make a great substitute if you don’t have any oregano left in the house though!
If you’re looking for a substitute because of an oregano allergy, we’d recommend giving parsley, summer savory, marjoram, or tarragon a try instead.
You can also create your own mixed herbs using other herbs in your cupboard if you find that an easier solution. Three great combinations which work as a good substitute for oregano are basil and marjoram, basil and parsley, or marjoram and thyme.
Is oregano and Italian seasoning the same thing?
Oregano and Italian seasoning aren’t exactly the same thing, no. That’s because Italian seasoning is a combination of several different herbs to help add some more Italian flavor to your dishes. Italian seasoning does have some oregano in it, however, so this makes it the perfect substitute for oregano if you’ve run out of your favorite herb. If you have some Italian seasoning in your cupboard, it will make a great replacement for oregano until you can get some more.
If you’re looking for an alternative to oregano because of an allergy to the herb, you’ll be better off opting for something different. Why not try using marjoram, basil, or parsley instead to get a similar flavor but without having to reach for your EpiPen afterward?
Is oregano and basil the same thing?
No, oregano and basil are not the same thing. They are two very different herbs with very different flavor profiles.
Basil can be used as a substitute for oregano, however. Oregano is a herb that wasn’t often used in American recipes much before World War II, but has firmly become a staple on many dishes such as pizza. In contrast basil is a herb that can be used in virtually any recipe. It’s very popular with tomato based recipes, and can be used both fresh and dried.
Remember that fresh basil is more potent, and it’s best added towards the end of the cooking process. Dried basil is more convenient to have in your store cupboard. If you like to keep a bunch of herbs and spices to hand such as oregano, the dried basil variety will be a great alternative until you can get some more oregano.
Can you substitute thyme for oregano?
You can substitute thyme for oregano, yes! In fact, if you’re trying to avoid oregano because of an allergy, then thyme is the perfect substitute. That’s because it’s a herb that is very rarely an allergen, so will be the perfect alternative to other herbs like Mexican oregano or marjoram that are part of the same herb family as oregano. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Thyme can be used both dried and fresh, and has a very similar flavor to oregano. Thyme tends to release its flavor the longer it’s cooked, so you’ll be better off adding it at the start of the cooking process. Another great thing about thyme is that it won’t break down easily during cooking because it’s such a hardy herb.
In summary
So there you have it! You don’t just have 1 great substitute for oregano – you’ve got 13 of them, as well as 3 different herb combinations!
What’s really great about this list of oregano substitutions is that no matter why you’ve had to swap it for something else, these great-tasting alternatives will give you everything you need to bring a tasty edge to your cooking.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
