Are you a pasta lover like me? You will definitely have a half-used pack of Italian seasoning in your cupboard if you are. But if you are totally out of them, read on to know some fantastic Italian seasoning substitutes.
Italian seasoning is a versatile ingredient that not just adds a flavor to the dish but also enhances its aroma. But sometimes we wouldn’t have them, and such a situation makes some look for good Italian seasoning substitutes.
Are you pondering over what to use as an Italian seasoning substitute? Homemade Italian seasoning, dried oregano and basil, Herbes de Provence, and creole seasoning are some of the best Italian seasoning substitutes.
Even though Italian seasoning is something we all know, there might be some of my readers who have never used this ingredient before. If you are someone like that, you need an introduction to Italian seasoning, and the next session is dedicated to that.
Quick Peek: Italian Seasoning
This section covers everything you want to know about Italian seasoning. We will discuss its flavor, health benefits, uses, and more.
What Is Italian Seasoning?
Italian seasoning is a mix of herbs and is used as a seasoning in many ingredients. The common ingredients include oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, sage, and coriander.
Despite its name, Italian seasoning doesn’t belong to Italy alone. Its place of origin is still to be decided. However, this spice herb is a little pricy on its own. But due to its ability to enhance taste, it has become a common kitchen ingredient,
Describing Italian Seasoning: Flavor and Texture
Italian seasoning has an earthy flavor with an undertone of mint and pepper. It imparts a unique flavor to the dish and is often used as a flavor enhancer.
Italian seasoning has a coarse texture; it is not completely in powdered form. We could feel each of the ingredients separately, yet it is in a mixed form. It is extremely aromatic, and when added to a hot dish, its aroma just increases.
Uses of Italian Seasoning
The use of Italian seasoning will depend on how experimental you are. It can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used as a seasoning over pizza, pasta, and salads.
It can also be used as a salad dressing. You can combine Italian seasoning with olive oil to make a flavorful salad bowl. Or you can just mix Italian seasoning with mayonnaise to make a dip for your favorite dish.
Italian Seasoning On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Even though Italian seasoning is a delicious ingredient, we only add them in a very small quantity. Therefore the health benefits it provides will be very less. However, we cannot completely neglect some of the issues of Italian seasoning.
Italian seasoning is a mix of herbs. It contains basil and rosemary, which are extremely beneficial for our overall health. This spice mix acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and also works on better digestion of the food.
It is also said to work in checking the blood sugar as well as the blood pressure. As you may already know, it contains zero fat and zero sugar, and therefore it is safe to be used by everyone.
Why Use A Substitute For Italian Seasoning?
This question, I’m sure, has crossed your thoughts at least once by now. Why would you want to use a replacement when Italian seasoning suffices? Here are a few reasons why you might choose to use a substitute.
To begin, if you are wary of the flavor of Italian spice but want something similar in your food, a substitute is quite handy. In addition, if Italian seasoning is difficult to come by in your area, a substitute might be excellent.
Finally, why rush to the store if you realize at the last minute that your recipe calls for Italian spice, and you don’t seem to have any? Most of the alternatives are likely already in your pantry! This is also a compelling argument for using a substitute.
I believe I have provided you with sufficient information on Italian seasoning. Let me jump right to the crux of this article: the finest Italian seasoning substitutes. Read on to learn everything there is to know about them!
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7 Best Italian Seasoning Substitutes
This section has the best substitutes for Italian seasoning. Moreover, you will also get to understand how to use each substitute. Read this section to know all about it.
1. Fresh Herbs
If you have access to fresh basil, thyme, rosemary, and sage, you could use them in your recipe as an Italian seasoning substitute. It will provide a similar flavor to your dish as that of Italian seasoning.
But you should keep some things in mind before using fresh herbs instead of dry Italian seasoning. First of all, fresh herbs do not carry flavor as much as dry seasoning. Hence use more of it.
Fresh herbs will lose their flavor if they are cooked for a longer period. Hence it is recommended to add them only at the later stage of cooking to retain their flavor and aroma in the dish. When substituting Italian seasoning with fresh herbs, use the number of fresh herbs thrice to one spoon of Italian seasoning.
2. Pizza Seasoning
Pizza seasoning is a mix of herbs, just like Italian seasoning. It contains oregano, thyme, basil, ginger powder, and many more ingredients. It enhances the flavor of your recipes and can be used as an Italian seasoning substitute.
Pizza seasoning is often mistaken for Italian seasoning. It adds aroma as well as flavor to the food. It can be swapped with Italian seasoning in a 1:1 ratio.
3. Oregano
Oregano has a peppery taste with an intense flavor. It provides an earthy aromatic flavor and a smell to the dish. Hence it can be considered a good Italian seasoning substitute.
Oreganos are also one of the easily available Italian seasoning substitutes. While using it as an Italian seasoning substitute, add half a teaspoon of oregano for one teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
Be cautious not to add too much oregano as its strong flavor might ruin the dish’s overall taste.
4. Zaatar
Zaatar is a middle eastern seasoning, and just like Italian seasoning, it is a mix of herbs. It contains oregano, marjoram, sumac, sesame seed, and many other ingredients. It provides a flavor similar to that of Italian seasoning and can be used as an Italian seasoning substitute.
Zaatar has sesame seeds as one of its ingredients. So when using zaatar as an Italian seasoning substitute, do a quick taste test before adding a lot of it to the curry or dish you are preparing.
Zaatar is an amazing ingredient to brighten up your dish. Therefore, when using it as an Italian seasoning substitute, simply follow the standard 1:1 ratio.
5. DIY Italian Seasoning
If you have all or some of the ingredients of Italian seasoning at home, you can try making an Italian seasoning of your own. Ideally, it will be the best Italian seasoning substitute you could ever have.
To make Italian seasoning, you may need some dried chives, dried basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley, and salt. (You can also add ginger powder, marjoram, or any other dried spices to it).
Just add all these to a blender and blend for 20 seconds. It is ideal to have them in coarse rather than the powdered form. Use as much as needed and save the rest in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
6. Herbes de Provence
Herbes de Provence is a spice mix that originated in France. It contains oregano, thyme, savory, and rosemary as its base mix and has a flavor similar to that of Italian seasoning. Hence it can be used as an Italian seasoning substitute.
Herbes de Provence works great as a marinade in meat and fish dishes. You can also use them in salad dressing and as a seasoning in various dishes.
7. Creole Seasoning
Creole seasoning is spicy and contains basil, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, and paprika. It can be used as an Italian seasoning substitute in spicy dishes.
Creole seasoning is extremely spicy and is very flavorful. If you are a spice-lover, then creole seasoning is for you. However, if you want an exact replication of Italian seasoning, this isn’t for you.
A Short Recap Of Italian Seasoning Substitutes
That was an extensive read on Italian seasoning and its substitutes. The following recap will make things easy for you to remember about Italian seasoning and its substitutes:
Best Italian Seasoning Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture-
- Pizza seasoning.
- DIY Italian seasoning
Best Italian Seasoning Substitutes That Are Easily Available-
- Oregano
- Pizza Seasoning
Italian Seasoning Substitutes Should Be Least Considered-
- Creole seasoning
How To Use Italian Seasoning Substitutes In Recipes
Italian Seasoning Substitutes
Ingredients
- Fresh Herbs
- Pizza Seasoning
- Oregano
- Zaatar
- DIY Italian Seasoning
- Herbes de Provence
- Creole seasoning
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
Italian seasoning is a versatile ingredient that can be added to various dishes. It is highly nutrient-rich and can be used in curries and fillings.
When choosing a substitute, find one with a flavor profile similar to Italian seasoning. Even though these are great Italian seasoning substitutes, there is no ideal match for Italian seasoning flavor.
If you use any of these substitutes, let me know in the comments if everything worked out for the best. I’ll see you next time. Until then, happy eating!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I use in place of Italian seasoning?
Homemade Italian seasoning, dried oregano and basil, Herbes de Provence, and creole seasoning are some of the best Italian seasoning substitutes.
Can I substitute oregano for Italian seasoning?
Yes. Italian seasoning already contains oregano. Hence it can be used as an Italian seasoning substitute.
What’s Italian seasoning made of?
Italian seasoning is a mix of herbs and the common ingredients include oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, sage, and coriander.
What is a substitute for 1 tsp Italian seasoning?
You can ideally replace 1 tsp of Italian seasoning with 1 tsp of pizza seasoning.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of Italian seasoning?
Yes. You can use a mix of fresh herbs in place of dried Italian seasoning. When substituting Italian seasoning with fresh herbs, use thrice the number of fresh herbs to one spoon of Italian seasoning.
