What can you use instead of fresh basil?
Fresh Thyme or Oregano. Fresh oregano or thyme is an effective basil substitute you can use. They are useful, especially when making beef dishes or tomato-based pasta sauces. Oregano has a pungent flavor composed of earthy/musty, green, hay, and minty notes. Similarly, thyme has a subtle, dry aroma and a mild minty flavor.
What to use in place of Basil?
What’s A Good Holy Basil Substitute?
- Your best bet: Mediterranean basil. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 150 varieties of basil in existence; the most popular one for use in Western cuisine is ...
- A decent second choice: Thai basil. ...
- In a pinch: Oregano. ...
- Other alternatives. ...
What is a good substitute for Basil?
Substitutes for Basil: The 19 Best Options
- Fresh Basil. If the recipe calls for dried basil, the very best substitute is to use fresh basil. ...
- Spinach Leaves. Spinach leaves are best used as substitutes for basil in making pesto. ...
- Italian Seasoning. Italian Seasoning is a dried herb mixture that can be bought in the store. ...
- Oregano. ...
- Thyme. ...
- Celery Leaf. ...
- Cilantro. ...
- Mint. ...
- Olive oil-basil scented. ...
- Kale. ...
What is the dried basil equivalent to fresh?
- Oregano. Another famed Mediterranean herb, oregano is slightly similar in taste to basil.
- Thyme. Thyme has a warmer, earthier taste than basil or oregano, but it can still be a viable substitute for basil in most recipes.
- Celery Leaf.
- Cilantro.
- Mint.
What is basil?
A sweet fragrant herb with a hint of aniseed, basil plays a big role in many Mediterranean dishes. Fresh basil, as well as dried basil, is great with garlic, works a charm in fresh salads and is a key ingredient in pesto.
12 Basil Substitutes
Refer to this list of basil substitutes if you accidentally run out of this super useful and fragrant herb in the kitchen.
Best basil based recipes
Check out some of these fantastic recipes that showcase the beautiful fresh flavor of basil.
1. Parsley
There is hardly anything you can’t do with parsley. This herb won’t perfectly replicate the strong and peppery flavor of basil, but it’s sure to enhance your dish in its very own way.
2. Spinach
For many of us, spinach will always be linked to the image of Popeye, who turned this vegetable into his very personal elixir of strength and taught a whole generation of kids the importance of eating more greens.
3. Oregano
Oregano, basil, and parsley are often treated as interchangeable in the kitchen, although they each bring a different kick to your dishes.
4. Thyme
Thyme comes from the same family as basil, so it’s the perfect basil replacement. There are more than a hundred varieties of thyme, each with its own characteristics.
5. Celery leaves
Celery is one of those vegetables known for its stalks, rather than its leaves. In fact, more often than not the leaves are simply discarded.
6. Cilantro
Coriander, or cilantro, is part of the same family as parsley, and indeed the two plants look almost identical.
7. Mint
Mint comes from the same family as basil and if you know anything about this herb, you might be wondering what kind of mint you can use as a substitute for basil leaves.
How to Substitute Dried Basil for Fresh
When looking for any herb replacement, know that dried and fresh herbs are not the same. Fresh herbs aren’t as potent as dried ones. If a recipe says to use fresh basil, but you only have dried, cut the amount by a third and only add more after tasting it.
Italian Seasoning
We have an easy life hack for you if you’ve been on the search for a fresh basil substitute. Italian seasoning includes a variety of herbs like parsley, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and of course, basil.
A Fresh Basil Substitute: Oregano
Fresh oregano is often found alongside basil because it is also used in Mediterranean cooking. Oregano has a stronger, more floral flavor than basil, but they have similar profiles overall.
Celery Leaves
We often discard the leafy parts of our celery and stick to using the stalks, but celery leaves are another fantastic option if you’re desperate for a basil-based sauce without the basil.
Cilantro and Coriander
If you don’t already love cilantro, you might try using it as a fresh basil substitute instead. This herb offers a similar flavor profile to basil but with a more lemony, minty bite.
Tarragon
Another great substitute for basil is tarragon. Tarragon has a flavor similar to anise, which is great if you usually use Licorice basil. The taste won’t be quite the same as regular basil, but it works just fine if you’re in a pinch and can’t make a trip to the grocery store.
Arugula
Arugula is a leafy green with a slightly more peppery taste. The texture and overall flavor of arugula are similar enough to basil that it works as a garnish, like in Caprese, or turned into a sauce like pesto.
Best Basil Substitutes
You can use the following substitutes as you see fit by taking into account your personal preferences as well as the type of dish you are making.
What Can You Substitute for Basil in Pesto?
If you are going to make pesto, you can use parsley instead of basil. It mixes well with all the pesto ingredients and has a strong flavor when chopped.
Conclusion
Basil can be an essential ingredient in your food, but you don’t have to panic if you are running out of this seasoning.
Substituting Fresh and Dried
The best substitute for a fresh herb is always its dried counterpart or vice versa. If you need dried basil but all you have is fresh, you can always use that version as a suitable replacement or the other way around.
Common Ways to Substitute for Basil
Here are some common ways to substitute for basil that will work well in most circumstances.
Recipes with Basil
Here are some simple and delicious recipes that call for basil. Use these to test out your favorite way to substitute for basil. You’ll love them for your weeknight meals!
Dried Basil Recipes
Dried basil is the commonly used form of the basil herb because, in this form, the basil preserves better than in any other form. And it allows the basil flavor to combine with the other ingredients.
Substitute Dried Basil for Fresh
Whether dried or fresh, these basils essentially contain the same chemicals and offer almost the same health value. Fresh basils are a better substitute for dried ones because dried herbs tend to have fewer oils because they are dehydrated.
Conclusion
Both dried and fresh basils are the same herbs and are, apparently, interchangeable.
Why Does Everyone Love Basil?
Thanks to the unforgettable flavor of basil, which is different in its dried and fresh forms, people go crazy for this versatile herb. While some people prefer fresh basil to accompany their favorite meals, others enjoy dried basil a whole lot more.
The Appeal of Fresh Basil
It goes without saying that a bit of fresh basil can bring a bunch of excitement to your recipe. And because it has a more mellow flavor than dried basil, you can use more of it. If you have to be thrifty with your fresh basil, then it’s recommended to use it in a salad, desserts, or even a cocktail.
The Appeal of Dried Basil
If you plan on using dried basil, then cooking with it would be your best bet. Cooking dried basil brings out all of the flavors that will keep your taste buds begging for more.
Dried Basil to Fresh Basil Conversions
What some people don’t understand is that dried basil isn’t equal to fresh basil in regards to measurements, so they end up using way too much or not enough. When you decide to use fresh basil instead of dried basil, you’ll want to use the conversion of 2 teaspoons of fresh basil is equivalent to one teaspoon of dried basil.
Great Recipes for Basil
Now that you have a better understanding of how and when to use fresh or dried basil, let’s look at some delicious recipes that call for the wonderful herb known as basil.
Lemon Basil Chicken
Using a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the pan is hot enough, add in the onion and cook until they’re softened, which should take about four minutes. Make sure to stir the onions frequently while cooking. Add in the garlic and cook until it’s nice and fragrant. This should take about 30 seconds to a minute.
Lemon Basil Pie
Preheat oven to 325. Using a large bowl, beat cream cheese until it’s smooth and gradually beat in the milk. Add lime zest, juice, and egg yolks. Beat until it’s blended. Stir in basil and pour into the crust.