Dried basil is one of the most common herbs used worldwide due to its versatility.
Basil as a herb is known to have numerous health benefits. For example, it is particularly good at helping to fend off or cure colds – hence why tomato and basil soup is such a common winter food.
Seeing as dried basil is so common, you are more than likely to run out of the herb when you need it the most. This is why it pays to know the best dried basil substitutes.
Our 5 Substitutes for Dried Basil
There are several species of basil but when you buy commercial dried basil, the packaging very rarely indicates which basil has been dried.
Sweet basil is the most common and the cheapest basil to grow, so you can assume that most dried basil produced is made using sweet basil.
Dried basil has a mild sweetness that is balanced out with a slight peppery tinge.
Here are our top 5 substitutes for dried basil:
1) Fresh Basil
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the fresh version of basil will be the top substitute for the dried herb.
Fresh basil is very easy to grow, so you should consider buying it to grow anyway, even if you don’t have any to hand.
Compared to dried basil, fresh basil has a much more subtle flavour. The sweeter tones tend to be more evident (especially if you are using fresh sweet basil), but not overwhelmingly so.
It is very easy to overcook fresh basil, so make sure to add it towards to end of your cooking process. Otherwise, the sweetness will turn bitter, and you will kill its aromatic qualities.
Know How to Prepare It
To get the most flavour out of fresh basil leaves, tear them with your fingers instead of chopping them up. This will slow the release of the flavour in your dish.
2) Tarragon
Tarragon has a pretty much identical flavour profile as dried basil but is much milder. You will want to use almost double the amount of tarragon to get the same levels of flavour.
You probably already have dried tarragon in the back of your pantry from that one recipe you never made. It is not a herb that many people use unless a recipe calls for it, but it is an effective one.
The main difference between dried tarragon and dried basil is that tarragon has a little estragole in it. This gives it a flavour similar to anise. It is not as strong as anise but it is present.
Know Where to Use It
Better suited for taming acidic flavours (such as citrus), tarragon can be used to help balance out rich foods. Its anise flavour and sweetness make it a flavour booster in some baked goods.
3) Thyme
Thyme focuses more on the peppery side of dried basil than the sweet. In place of the sweet is a fresh minty undertone.
This combination makes thyme a much sharper herb than dried basil, so it is better used as a secondary seasoning than as the main flavouring for most dishes.
Add Thyme Towards the End of Cooking
Though it has a sharp flavour, thyme will quickly cookout and become flavourless if you add it too early into your dish. Instead, consider it a finishing touch to be added just before serving.
4) Oregano
Oregano will only have a similar kind of flavour to dried basil when it is dried itself.
The herb has a prominent peppery flavour that can easily overwhelm your plate if you are trying to achieve a sweeter taste. However, if you don’t mind the peppery flavours, then you can use as much dried oregano as you want.
Remember that oregano’s peppery kick is more heated than refreshing, so only use more if you are a fan of heat.
What Pairs with Oregano?
Oregano is already commonly used in many of the same pasta sauces as dried basil, but it can be used in any dish that dried basil is used in. So long as you don’t mind its heat.
5) Italian Seasoning
A specific mixture of a range of common herbs, Italian seasoning is just as cheap as dried basil but has a much more complex flavour.
Some people only use Italian seasoning without other seasonings as it provides such an array of tastes.
In most cases, dried basil will be a key ingredient in Italian seasoning. However, because it is mixed in with a range of other herbs, the flavour of the basil will be much more subtle.
Always Check the Label
Before using Italian seasoning, make sure that it does actually include dried basil. It will still be a great addition to your dish if it does not, but Italian seasoning with basil will give a closer resemblance to the herb.
Other Substitutes for Dried Basil
There will be times when your herb and spice collection looks a little worse for wear, and you don’t have any of the above dried herbs. So, here are a few more you could try instead:
- Mint – Basil is part of the mint family though mint itself is very powerful. You should only use it in small amounts.
- Rosemary – Also from the mint family, rosemary is a heartier herb that releases its flavours slower than basil, so add earlier on in the cooking process.
- Parsley – If you want to replicate the sweetness of basil, parsley is much sweeter, which is why some people prefer it.
Summary
There will be times when you run out of dried basil, as it is called for in so many recipes. When your last basil supply runs out, there are ample other dried herbs you can use instead.
Though fresh basil will unsurprisingly be the best replacement.