9 Best Savory Herb Substitutes You Can Try! 

The savory herb can make your dish full of flavor, delicious, and tasty. It is a great ingredient, and if you run out of it. You need a substitute. Don’t worry; I have prepared a list of alternatives that might help you.

Some savory herb substitutes you can try are thyme, sage, mint, oregano, basil, and rosemary.

A savory herb is a green, leafy part of the plant that belongs to the mint family and is used to flavor foods. 

It is of two kinds, winter savory and summer savory. It is a popular herb, and you can use it in casseroles, meat dishes, bean dishes, and stews. Savory can add a rich, smoky flavor to many different meals.

It provides health benefits such as better gastrointestinal function, cancer prevention, strengthening the immune system, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Now, let’s go to the crux of the article.

9 Best Savory Herb Substitutes

Here is a list of savory herb substitutes that you might have in your kitchen instead. Go through the list.  

1. Thyme

You can use thyme as a substitute for savory herbs. It is a culinary herb with an earthy, minty, and woody taste. It has a flavor similar to rosemary and lavender.

It is most preferable in fresh dishes like bouillabaisse and coq au vin. You can add it to savory dishes such as roasted meat, vegetables, fish, stews, soups, marinades, and baked goods.

It is excellent to add to your tea or essential oil. It comes in fresh, dried, or ground form, but the flavor is much stronger when it’s dried. 

Due to its similarity in taste, it can replace the same amount of savory herbs as a substitute.

2. Sage

If you are out of savory, you can also use sage instead. Sage is an herb with a strong, earthy, and bitter flavor and hints of pine and citrus that are best used to add depth and complexity to a dish. 

When cooked, it has a slightly spicy flavor and a wrinkled texture.

It pairs well with poultry, beans, lamb meat, potatoes, sauces, marinades, pastries, and bread. Due to its woody taste, it is popular to use as a seasoning for roasted meats or stuffing.

You can use fresh sage as a substitute for savory herbs. Due to its more robust flavor than savory herbs, it is best to start with a smaller amount and then adjust the taste.

3. Marjoram

Marjoram will be in your pantry if you are into Mediterranean and French cooking. It is a fragrant herb from the mint family with a sweet, floral taste with a hint of citrus.

It has tiny leaves with small clusters of flowers at the top. You can use dried or fresh, as per your need.

You can pair it with beef dishes, tomato sauces, salads, soups, vegetables, and stuffing. It pairs well with poultry, fish, and vegetables.

It has a more robust flavor than savory herbs, so it is better to use it as half a marjoram to replace it.

4. Oregano

If you are into Italian cruises, it is the best substitute for you. Oregano is well-known in the mint family, like savory herbs, and is slightly sweet.

It has an aromatic and robust flavor with a slightly fuzzy texture. You can use it in fresh or dried form, but the taste is much stronger when it’s dried. 

Due to its strong aroma, you can use it in tomato sauces, baked vegetables, soups, bread, pizza, and salads. You can use fresh oregano for long-cooking recipes and pizza. 

It has a similar flavor to savory herbs; you can substitute it in a 1:1 ratio.

5. Basil

You can use basil as a substitute for savory herbs. It is a Mediterranean herb of the mint family with a fresh and sweet aroma. You can use fresh or dried basil, as per your needs.

You can flavor pasta, pizzas, sauces, and meat dishes such as pork or poultry. It is best used for salad dressings, vegetable dishes, and soups. 

Add it at the end of the cooking process for more flavor. You can also use it as an alternative to savory herbs in an equal amount.

6. Rosemary

If you have rosemary in your pantry, you can use it as an alternative to savory herbs. It is a perennial herb with a unique flavor that combines pepper, citrus, and pine. It has a mildly bitter taste.

Like savory herbs, it is also a member of the mint family and has needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. You can use it as you like, whether fresh or dried.

Taste-wise, it has similar to a savory herb and can add it to soups, stews, and sauces. You can use it to make bread and biscuit dough.

However, it is also commonly used for roasted meats and vegetables.

 Rosemary gives the same flavor as savory herbs without overpowering them. You can use one-third as much rosemary as you would savory herbs.

7. Mint

If you don’t have the above alternatives, you can use mint as a substitute for savory herbs. It is a culinary herb with a fresh, lemony, and spicy taste.

It is a bright green with robust stems and round leaves. If you like Mediterranean dishes, this is the best substitute. It goes well with Greek salad, lamb, couscous, zucchini, garden peas, and yogurt.

It has a more robust flavor than savory herbs. You can use one-third as much mint as you would savory herbs or use it sparingly.

8. Coriander

If you are into Latin or South Asian cooking, coriander is a staple product in your pantry. If you have any, grab it, and use it as a substitute for savory herbs.

It is a fragrant herb with a fresh citrus taste with a strong aroma. It is best to use in those dishes where there is a need for dried savory. It is excellent with chicken, curries, avocados, corn, onions, and even chilies.

Due to its aroma, you can use it as a substitute for savory herbs with a 1:1 substitution ratio.

9. Parsley

Parsley is one of the most versatile substitutes of all. It is fresh, grassy, and widely available. It has a clean, peppery taste with a touch of earthiness and doesn’t leave an overpowering taste like mint or basil.

This is an excellent substitute if you don’t want to use basil or mint. It is the perfect substitute for dried savory herbs and can be used with garlic, lemon, mussels, blue cheese, lentils, and ham.

You can use parsley as a substitute for savory herbs; it can substitute the same amount.

Short Recap Of The Best Savory Herb Substitutes 

Here is a quick peek at savory herb substitutes. I categorized these into three categories so it would be easy for you guys to find your desired alternative.

Best Savory Herb Substitute In Terms Of Flavor and Texture–

• Thyme
• Sage

Best Savory Herb Substitutes That Are Easily Available-

• Parsley
• Coriander

Seaweed Savory Herb Should Be Least Considered –

• Mint

How To Use Savory Herb Substitutes In A Recipe

9 Best Savory Herb Substitutes You Can Try!

Some savory herb substitutes you can try are thyme, sage, mint, oregano, basil, and rosemary.

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Ingredients

  

• Thyme
• Sage
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Parsley
• Coriander

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 make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

Now that we have come to the end of the article. I hope you find savory herb substitutes and use them in your dishes.

Finding a substitute for savory herbs is difficult, but the options in this section function well and improve the flavor of your food. Till then, we will meet at the next one. 

Till Then! Happy Cooking.

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