Fresh Herb Substitutes
When you’re out of a fresh herb and have no dried herbs to substitute (more on that below), follow these substitutes for parsley, fennel, thyme, and more. They’re the closest matches. Is your ingredient missing from this list? Hop over to our emergency ingredient substitutes page, where you’ll find a substitute for spices and more.
Basil: oregano or thymeBay leaf: For 1 bay leaf, substitute ¼ tsp. crushed bay leaf or ¼ tsp. thymeChervil: tarragon or parsleyChives: green onion, onion, or leekCilantro: parsleyDill (weed or seed): Use an equal amount of tarragonFennel: anise seedItalian seasoning: basil, oregano, or rosemaryMarjoram: basil, thyme, or savoryMint: basil, marjoram, or rosemaryOregano: thyme or basilParsley: chervil or cilantroRosemary: thyme, tarragon, or savorySage: poultry seasoning, savory, marjoram, or rosemarySavory: thyme, marjoram, or sageTarragon: chervil, dash fennel seed, or dash anise seedThyme: basil, marjoram, oregano, or savory
How to Substitute Dried Herbs for Fresh Herbs
In general, you can substitute 1 tsp. dried herb for 1 Tbsp. fresh herb. Check out our full guide to substituting dried herbs for fresh herbs.
Cooking with Herbs
No matter which you choose, fresh herbs are a great way to bring bold flavors to your dishes. Because heat diminishes the flavor when cooking with fresh herbs, our Test Kitchen recommends adding chopped or snipped herbs just before serving your dish. Choose herbs that have fresh-looking leaves without brown spots, and since they’re not long-lasting, only buy or pick them as needed. Want to know more about herb storage and cooking? Discover more of our best tips on how to store herbs so they’ll stay fresh for longer or how to dry your fresh herbs to make the most of your summer haul.
