5 Thyme Substitutes – No More Market Visits to Buy Spices

Except for the thyme? Need the closest flavored Thyme substitute?

The most famous alternatives you can find in the various Thyme guides are savory, a mixture of herbs such as marjoram and thyme, Herbes de Provence or Italian seasoning, and poultry seasoning.

However, when looking for substitutes, besides flavor, many things must be considered, such as:

• Their aroma
• Availability
• Nutritional value / health benefits
• Price

Then, instead of thyme, the best thing will be thyme that you can keep fresh at home, grow in kitchen gardens and always have with you while cooking.

That’s why we’ve brought you the 5 Best Equivalents for Thyme That’s Easy to Grow in Your Garden. (Thyme Substitute)

1. The T Herb – Tarragon:

T herb is one of the most delicious herbs famous for its use in French cuisine and Bearnez Sauce.

Besides that, the herb is an excellent alternative to Thyme. (Thyme Substitute)

i) Thyme VS Tarragon Taste:

Thyme has a minty flavor, dry texture, and subtle aroma, while Tarragon has a double flavor.

A little sugary and cold on your tongue.

The flavor of Tarragon is so good and rich that many spicy recipes use it as an alternative when there is no Thyme in the kitchen. (Thyme Substitute)

ii) Best Recipes of Tarragon replacing Thyme (Fresh or Dried):

Different recipes call for different aromas and flavors.

While it has a distinct aroma and taste like barbecue, simple meat cooked in a pot is different.

Same here. Not all, here are some recipes where Tarragon herb can perfectly replace Thyme; (Thyme Substitute)

a) Spicy dishes with Tarragon replacing Thyme:

1. Chowders
2. Soups
3. Fish Food
4. Lamb
5. Veal
6. Eggs

b) Sweet dishes in which Tarragon replaces Thyme:

1. Croquettes
2. Custards
3. Sweet sauces

iii) Quantity:

The amount needed is a very important consideration when working in the kitchen and experimenting with herbs that create the charm of food like a kitchen witch.

Do not forget,

When you replace herbs with herbs, it is not necessary, they are replaced in equal amounts.

Amounts vary, but are the same as tarragon. (Thyme Substitute)

One TSP of Thyme = One TSP of Tarragon

iv) Can We Grow Tarragon in the Kitchen?

Yes! You certainly can with the right gardening tools and tips.

Most plants need bright light rather than sun and can be grown perfectly indoors.

Same with tarragon.

Kitchens with south-facing windows can be perfect gardens for growing tarragon. (Thyme Substitute)

2. The O herb – Oregano:

Thyme herb is obtained from the leaves of the thyme plant, mixed in dried and fresh form.

You can identify thyme by its smallest leaves with beautiful edible pink flowers. (Thyme Substitute)

i) Thyme VS Oregano Taste:

The main difference between thyme and thyme flavor:

It is a combination of thyme, sweet, peppery, minty and lemon notes.

While the thyme flavor is bolder and has a tangy yet earthy flavor.

However, they both make perfect replacements for each other. (Thyme Substitute)

ii) Best Recipes of Oregano Replacing Thyme (Fresh or Dried):

For Alternating Thyme with Thyme:

a) Spicy dishes with Oregano replacing Thyme:

1. Kinds of pasta
2. Pizzas
3. Spicy Sauces
4. Gravies
5. Tasty vegan bagels

b) Sweet dishes:

1. Cakes
2. Roasted sweet potatoes
3. Lemon Thyme bars

iii) Quantity:

Note that the flavor of thyme is sharp compared to thyme, which means it can be a good substitute for cumin seeds.

You need to be very careful when choosing the amount and understand the taste of the people you cook with. (Thyme Substitute)

Here’s how you should go for Thyme instead of Thyme:

One TSP of Thyme = ¾ TSP of Oregano

iv) Can We Grow Oregano in the Kitchen?

Luckily, yes! In fact, thyme is one of the sine qua non of kitchen gardens.

You can’t replace it with thyme, you can also replace many other herbs like rosemary, coriander and mint.

All you need is well-drained soil, moderate water, and a sun-facing window.

Fun fact: Thyme looks a lot like herb in its dried form. (Thyme Substitute)

3. A Mixture of Marjoram & Parsley:

You can say that Marjoram is an herb that looks exactly like Thyme.

Therefore, it can be an excellent replacement for the famous herb Thyme.

The plant belongs to colder regions and has great therapeutic properties due to being rich in sodium and good cholesterol.

However, if you add parsley along with marjoram into the recipe, its flavor will be perfect. (Thyme Substitute)

i) Marjoram and Parsley VS Thyme Taste:

Because thyme has a sweet and spicy flavor, like anise seed, we need to make it this way to substitute it with other herbs.

Marjoram has a sweet flavor while Parsley is slightly tangy.

When you mix the two, they give you the best flavor of Thyme. (Thyme Substitute)

ii) Best Recipes of Marjoram and Parsley Substituting Thyme (Fresh or Dried):

Alternating Thyme with Marjoram and Parsley:

a) Spicy dishes:

• Adobo
• Meats
• Guacamole
• Grains
• Soups
• Broccoli
• Chicken
• Clams
• Duck
• Goose
• Onion
• Oysters
• Peas
• Pork
• Tomato
• White Beans

b) Sweet Dishes:

• Zucchini bread
• Ice cream
• Squash
• Vanilla essence

iii) Quantity:

Since you need to create the tangy but sweeter flavor of thyme,

You have to be extra careful as you have to mix the two herbs together.

Marjoram is closer to the taste of thyme,

Yet Parsley helps create the full spice,

So use the following rule to add spice to your delicious cuisines. (Thyme Substitute)

1 TSP Marjoram + ½ Parsley = 1 tsp of Thyme

iv) Can We Grow Marjoram and Parsley in the Kitchen?

Like many culinary herbs; basil, chives, coriander, garlic, lemon, thyme, tarragon and rosemary,

Parsley and Marjoram are also great herbs to grow in your kitchen.

Most such plants will resist insect attacks, but sprinkling with water will help clean the leaves. (Thyme Substitute)

4. The Peppery Summer Savory:

When reaching for the herbal aroma, you should remember that:

Summer and winter salts have different tastes and properties.

For this reason, the herb that you will use instead of thyme is peppery or summer-scented. (Thyme Substitute)

i) Summer Savory VS Thyme Taste:

When it comes to flavor, summer savory flavors are similar to Thyme.

However, the taste is slightly bitter.

It has a peppery and warm flavor with notes of summer salt, marjoram, mint and, of course, Thyme. (Thyme Substitute)

ii) Best Recipes of Summer Savory Alternating Thyme (Fresh):

You can use thyme instead of thyme in recipes like:

• Mediterranean cuisines
• Tasty roasts
• Fish
• Stews

iii) Quantity:

Summer is fragrant and thyme tastes the same.

It may not be the same in raw form.

But in food, cuisine and cooked food, both taste the same.

So, here’s how to use summer flavor instead of Thyme:

One tsp of summer savory = one tsp of Thyme

iv) Can We Grow Summer Savory in the Kitchen?

Yes! You have to make room for Satureja Hortensis.

For your information,

Satureja Hortensis is the plant from which the aroma of summer is obtained.

Satureja Hortensis or Savory is very easy to grow.

Get pine pepper grass in your home.

5. The B herb – Basil:

Basil and Thyme belong to the same family; Lamiaceae.

It is known as the most aromatic herb you know.

It can be a great alternative to thyme in many dishes.

i) Basil VS Thyme Taste:

Fresh basil tastes like Thyme and licorice, so you can safely use it as a substitute.

But if you want to substitute dried thyme, remember that dried basil is almost tasteless.

ii) Best Recipes of Basil Substitute Thyme (Fresh or Dried):

Here are the recipes that would work best with Basil instead of Thyme:

a) Spicy dishes:

• Pizza
• Cheesy corn
• Fried rice
• Mocktails
• Salads
• Sweet potato fries
• Spinach

b) Sweet Dishes:

• Ice creams
• Cakes
• Honey bruschetta
• Strawberry Basil Infused Water

iii) Quantity:

Basil, although belonging to the same family, is more licorice than thyme itself.

Therefore, you need to keep the amount of basil a little less.

Here is the ground rule:

½ TSP of fresh Basil = 1 TSP of Thyme

1 TSP Dried Basil = 1 TSP Thyme

iv) Can We Grow Basil in Kitchen?

Once again, yes! Basil can be grown very easily at home.

But it won’t be grown in the kitchen garden, you need outdoors to grow it at home.

Also, you need summer seasoning because basil grows best during the summer months.

Bottom Line:

These were the five best herbs you can substitute for Thyme.

Comment below for suggestions.

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