All of my best bay leaf substitute options are shared here for those moments when you go to start a recipe and realize you've run out, or simply don't keep bay leaves on hand! Whether you're making hearty sauces, soups, stews, chili, or roasts, the flavor of bay leaves is a common component!
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Instructions
Option 1 - Dried Thyme
Use ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme per each bay leaf called for in a recipe.
Option 2 - Dried Oregano
Use ¼ teaspoon of dried oregano per each bay leaf called for in a recipe.
Option 3 - Dried Mexican Oregano
Use ¼ teaspoon of dried Mexican oregano per each bay leaf called for in a recipe.
Option 4 - Fresh Basil
Use 1 fresh basil leaf for each 1 bay leaf called for in Italian-inspired recipes. Note that 4-8 fresh basil leaves equal 1 teaspoon of dried basil.
Option 5 - Boldo Leaves
Use 1 Boldo leaf per each 2 bay leaves called for in a recipe.
Option 6 - Juniper Berries
Use ¼ teaspoon juniper berries per each bay leaf called for in a recipe. *NOTE that it is important to avoid cooking with juniper berries if pregnant women or children will be eating the meal.
Option 7 - Rosemary
Use in a 1:1 ratio, 1 rosemary sprig per each bay leaf called for in a recipe.
Option 8 - Red Bay Leaves
Use in a 1:1 ratio, 1 red bay leaf per each bay leaf called for in a recipe.
For Indian Recipes (Indian Bay Leaf)
Do not use the common bay leaf in Indian recipes. Instead, to substitute for the Indian bay leaf, use cinnamon, cloves, or cassia.
For Soups & Stews
The best herbs to substitute for bay leaves when making soups and stews are oregano, thyme, and boldo leaves.
Notes
Substitutions are bases on each 1 bay leaf called for in a recipe unless otherwise noted in the substitution instructions.