Five Alternatives to Rosemary

In a variety of recipes, especially those involving roasted or grilled meats, rosemary is an essential herb. It also tastes great in flavored oils, herbal tea, fried veggies, and even sweets.

You need to know which fresh and dried herbs can be used in place of rosemary without compromising flavor or balance if your fresh supply runs out and you don’t have any dried rosemary on hand.

Even while many of these herbs don’t taste just like rosemary, they can nevertheless give everything you’re cooking or baking that crisp, earthy flavor that comes from fresh herbs.

Use this advice to find the best herbs, both fresh and dried, to add the brightness your dish needs while you browse through your refrigerator and spice rack at home or stroll down the produce aisle at the grocery store.

1. Thyme

Thyme is a fragrant, citrus-like herb with a dry scent that works well as a great substitute for rosemary in a variety of Italian meals, including roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, lamb, poultry, and pig.

Although thyme has a little stronger flavor than rosemary, it may still add a wonderful balance to a recipe. Both fresh and dried thyme have a powerful flavor that goes well with a wide range of savory meals.

2. Savory

Being a part of the mint family, savory is known for having a flavor profile that is peppery and minty with a sweet scent. Savory leaves resemble rosemary leaves in appearance, so if you are only using rosemary as a garnish, savory is an excellent substitute.

Savory can be used in place of rosemary in a wide range of culinary preparations, including sweets, hearty meat dishes, marinades, soups, stews, and flavored vinegars.

3. Oregano

Oregano, a popular ingredient in many of your favorite Italian foods, has a rich, earthy flavor with warm, aromatic undertones that make it a perfect replacement for rosemary in almost any dish, including meat dishes, pizza, sauces, stuffing, and even chili.

But oregano’s flavor strengthens when dried, unlike other herbs that tend to lose some of their bite. As such, when incorporating dried oregano into recipes, taste as you go to ensure the ideal amount.

4. Basil

Basil’s spicy, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor can work well in sauces, grilled meats, sweets, roasted potatoes, and vegetables—even if it might not seem like a viable substitute for rosemary. If you are using fresh basil, make sure to add it toward the end of cooking to preserve its taste.

5. Sage

Sage is often prepared to resemble rosemary and has a pleasant, aromatic flavor that goes well with roasted meats, pastries, and fresh pasta when fried with brown butter.

Sage can be used to give earthy, lemony flavors to marinades and herbal teas, or it can be used as a substitute for rosemary in hearty meat recipes like sausage, lamb, and pig.

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