Thyme is common in dishes all over the world but is a key component of many Mediterranean dishes. Its long-lasting flavours make it a great taste booster for many savoury foods including rice, soup and seafood.
As often as a recipe may call for thyme, it is easy to lose track of what herbs you have left in your pantry. So, what can you use when you don’t realise your thyme stocks have run too low?
Our 4 Substitutes for Thyme
Being part of the mint family means that thyme does have minty undertones, but it is mostly a floral herb with a slight pepper kick. That being said, thyme is one of the milder herbs despite holding its flavour.
Here are our top 4 substitutes for thyme:
1) Oregano
Very few herbs are completely interchangeable in every recipe, but thyme can easily be substituted for oregano in most cases.
Oregano has a much stronger flavour than thyme, though its sweeter flavours tend to be more subtle than thyme. This makes it the ideal herb for soups and sauces that need that extra bit of flavouring.
The slight sweetness also makes oregano a great topping for pizzas or pasta – though only if used in moderation as it is still a strong herb.
It May Be Sweet But Use for Savoury Dishes
Oregano may have a slightly sweet flavour, but it is best suited for foods that have a distinct savoury taste. It has a very earthy aroma, so you are better off using oregano in robust dishes than overloaded cheesy pizzas.
2) Summer Savoury
If you are cooking a stew or soup that requires a few hours to develop its deep flavour, then summer savoury will work as the perfect substitute for thyme.
It is full of flavour that slowly spreads through the dish throughout its cooking time. This means that you can add summer savoury at the beginning of your dish’s cook time and let the herb work its magic on your dish.
Summer savoury is widely used in Mediterranean cooking and goes hand in hand with many thyme dishes. It has a slightly spicier kick than thyme but otherwise works similarly in your dish.
Remember to crush your summer savour before adding it to your dish to allow its full flavour to be released.
Other Savoury Varieties
Winter savoury is also commonly available and can be used as a thyme substitute. However, winter savour has a more distinct earthy taste which doesn’t quite hit the same flavour notes as summer savoury. But whichever one you have to hand will work.
3) Marjoram
Often mistaken for oregano, marjoram is a little bit stronger than thyme but weaker than oregano.
As the perfect middle ground of the two herbs, marjoram will work great if you want your fish to be full of flavour but not be overwhelming.
Marjoram is from the same plant family as thyme and so has the same earthy tones as thyme but leans more towards the piney side of the spectrum.
It has a stronger citrusy taste than thyme, too. Though this can work in your favour if you are wanting a fresher dish.
Leave Marjoram Until the End
While full of flavour, marjoram is quick to lose its kick when cooked. Only add the herb a few moments before you are ready to serve your dish to ensure that you will still be able to taste it clearly.
4) Chicken Seasoning
As a herb mix that already includes thyme, chicken seasoning helps to evaluate poultry with peppery, floral type flavours.
The thyme within the seasoning also means that the mix will keep its flavour for longer than other herb mixes.
You can use it as a rub for your chicken and allow the array of herbs and spices to infuse into the chicken throughout its cooking time.
Chicken seasoning generally also includes black pepper, nutmeg, marjoram, and oregano. Though you will want to ensure that you buy a mix that does include thyme.
Make Your Own Chicken Seasoning
You could buy preprepared chicken seasoning and risk the diluted thyme flavours, or you could make your own ahead of time for when you run out of standard thyme. This way you will be able to better control how your dish will taste.
Other Substitutes for Thyme
Have some more specific herbs sitting in the back of your pantry that you haven’t used since that one dish you brought them for? No problem!
Here are some other herbs that you could use to substitute thyme if you have them:
- Rosemary – As a slow-releasing herb, rosemary will make your dish better the longer it is allowed to cook just like thyme. But rosemary is more earthy and pungent than thyme so use in moderation.
- Basil – If you want a sweeter but still peppery herb for your dish, basil will work fine. Just make sure to add it later in the cooking process so that its flavoursome oils don’t evaporate.
- Tarragon – Often mistaken for thyme, tarragon tastes like thyme but lacks the peppery hit. It is also more subtle in its flavours.
Summary
Thyme may be milder than other herbs, but this works in its favour. Instead of overpowering its dishes, it adds a slightly peppery, floral kick.
When you don’t have thyme to hand, oregano and summer savoury will work just as well but will need to be used in moderation to achieve that subtle flavour of thyme.