Rosemary Substitute

All of my best Rosemary Substitute ideas, whether you need fresh or dried rosemary in a recipe! Plus how to use them and what each alternative is best paired with for easy reference!

What do you do when a recipe calls for rosemary and you don't have it? You can always run out and get some, or check out all of my rosemary substitutes here!

No matter what you're making, there are many great alternatives for rosemary listed below. I also include specifics as to what will work best with certain meats and more!

What is Rosemary?

Rosemary, or Salvia Rosmarinus, is a fragrant, evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. It has needle-like leaves that can be used for a variety of purposes but is mostly known as a woody-tasting herb for cooking.

Fresh rosemary is harvested by snipping sprigs from the plant. For dried rosemary, these sprigs are then stripped of needles from the stem, and the needles are dried and roughly chopped.

Rosemary is part of the ‘Lamiaceae’ mint family, the same as basil, lavender, oregano, and thyme. Three of these related herbs are part of our substitutes selection below!

When cooking with rosemary, add it early in the cooking process so that the oils and flavor have ample time to be released.

Dried Rosemary vs. Fresh Rosemary

Dried rosemary is more potent than fresh rosemary, so if interchanging the two, use 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary for 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, or vice versa.

If your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary, you can use ¼ teaspoon of dried rosemary. *Note that these substitution measurements for fresh and dried rosemary can be applied to all herbs.

General Rosemary Substitutions

For general cooking purposes, your best rosemary alternatives are thyme, oregano, and basil, followed by savory, tarragon, and marjoram. The best rosemary substitutes will, of course, depend upon the recipe you are making!

Dried or Fresh Herbs

Substitute fresh rosemary with fresh oregano, fresh basil, or fresh thyme with a 1:1 ratio. If substituting dried herbs for fresh rosemary, remember that 1 sprig of fresh rosemary equals approximately 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary.

1. Thyme

Thyme, although milder in flavor than rosemary, is one of my top choices as the best all-around substitute for rosemary. While there are many herbs on this page that are bolder and more comparable in flavor to rosemary, thyme is exceptionally versatile and readily available at most stores (in both fresh and dried varieties).

Use equal portions of fresh thyme to replace fresh rosemary, as well as equal portions of dried thyme to substitute for dried thyme.

2. Oregano

Oregano, basil, and thyme are all part of the same mint family as rosemary (mentioned above) so they are all three some of the most suitable flavor replacements to the woodsy herb. These three are also some of the most readily available (and easy to grow) herbs.

Use equal portions of fresh oregano to replace fresh rosemary, as well as equal portions of dried oregano to substitute for dried thyme.

3. Basil

Basil is the third of the trio of herbs from the ‘Lamiaceae’ family of herbs and one of my favorites to use in a lot of recipes. The slightly sweet yet deeply savory flavor of basil is a great compliment to your dishes!

Use equal portions of fresh basil to replace fresh rosemary, as well as equal portions of dried basil to substitute for dried thyme.

Dried Savory, Tarragon, Marjoram

Dried savory, tarragon, or marjoram can be substituted for dried rosemary with a 1:1 ratio. Use a combination of the three for a flavorful upgrade if the recipe doesn’t call for many other spices.

4. Savory

Savory has a similar flavor to rosemary and works wonderfully as a substitute. You can use either fresh savory, or dried savory to replace rosemary in any recipe in a 1:1 ratio.

The only downside to savory is that it's not a commonly used herb, therefore you may not have it on hand or available to you.

5. Tarragon

Tarragon is a leafy green herb with a robust flavor. The hint of licorice or anise is a trademark flavor of tarragon, which is found to be a strong overpowering taste to some.

Use tarragon in smaller amounts than you would use rosemary, especially if you are unsure of your family or guests' preferences.

Start with a 2:1 ratio when substituting tarragon for rosemary. So for every 1 tablespoon of rosemary, use ½ tablespoon of tarragon.

6. Marjoram

Marjoram is another less frequently seen herb that has a flavor resembling rosemary. The delicate flavor of marjoram balances a slightly sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness that is great when paired with many types of meat.

Substitute marjoram for rosemary in a 1:1 ratio when replacing dried rosemary in a recipe.

7. Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning blends can be used in a pinch as a replacement for rosemary. This blend of herbs will have more depth of flavor and should be reserved for recipes that aren't using a lot of spices and herbs for seasoning.

Use Italian seasoning in a 2:1 ratio of rosemary. So start with ½ tablespoon of Italian seasoning for each 1 tablespoon of rosemary that a recipe calls for. Season to taste from there.

Best Substitutions for Specific Dishes

While there are many general substitutes for rosemary, some primary ingredients could use a more specific herb or combination of herbs to highlight their flavor best.

8. Fish

If cooking fish, opt for dill, parsley, or chives in place of rosemary. All of these herbs pair very well with the varying fish meat types including dark (oil-rich), white (firm and oil-rich), white (lean and firm), white (lean and flaky), and medium (oil-rich).

When cooking fish dishes replace the rosemary with dill, parsley, or chives using a 1:1 ratio. Of course, you can always add as much as you prefer!

9. Beef

Sage is a great rosemary alternative to use with both beef and eggs. It has a different-yet-similar flavor, but pairs exceptionally well with beef (and pork too!) and can be used in place of rosemary.

The pine-like flavor of both rosemary and sage means that your resulting flavor will be similar when using sage as a substitute. Be aware that sage has a strong flavor, so start with less and add more to taste.

Use sage in a 2:1 ratio, which is half the amount of sage for each 1 part of rosemary.

10. Lamb, Mutton & Goat

To replace rosemary in a lamb dish, use a combination of bay leaf, peppermint, and thyme. Combine the three to use in a 1:1 ratio for an excellent flavor combination.

11. Turkey, Chicken & Poultry

Sage, thyme, or a combination of both sage and thyme are alternatives that pair well with turkey, chicken, and other poultry.

Use half the amount of sage when replacing rosemary, and use thyme in a 1:1 ratio for substitution.

12. Sausage Dishes

Sausage dishes likely contain many other spices, so using caraway seeds in place of rosemary is a good alternative. This will add flavor without overpowering or creating a dish with too many spice profiles.

Pork sausages can also be spiced up with sage. Can you tell I love sage with pork and beef dishes?!

For both caraway seeds and sage, start with half the amount of rosemary that is called for in a recipe. Taste and adjust as needed.

13. Mushroom-Based Recipes

If you find yourself making a recipe that is mushroom-dense, consider replacing the rosemary with marjoram. Marjoram pairs really well with mushrooms, so try it out in a 1:1 ratio for substituting rosemary.

Mushrooms also pair really well with chives, dill, parsley, basil, oregano, and tarragon (in addition to rosemary and marjoram). Use a combination of these herbs to really liven up your mushrooms dishes!

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