Oregano is a Good Substitute for Thyme

The savory combination of herbs and spices is the secret to really great cooking. Thyme and oregano are both useful and simple-to-use herbs available in most kitchens. Even though they are used in similar recipes, they are two completely distinct plants. Thyme has a complex blend of sweet and spicy flavors, as well as minty and citrus notes, while oregano has a strong, pungent, and earthy flavor.

One of the best alternatives to thyme is oregano, which has grown more popular than thyme in its own right. Both herbs are members of the same family and have similar flavor profiles. Both herbs provide bitterness to recipes and pair nicely with bread and sauces. Oregano has a unique scent and may be substituted with thyme. Both fresh and dried oregano are available.

Some Good Substitutes for Thyme

• Savory

Consider using savoury in place of thyme in savory meals. This plant, which is less common in most kitchens, is part of the same herb family as the others mentioned above. Savoury has a milder overall flavor profile than thyme, but it has a nice subtle earthy and peppery flavor that compliments other elements in a cuisine. Replace thyme with savoury in any recipe at a 1:1 ratio.

A number of herbs may be used in lieu of thyme. Oregano is another common substitute among them. Oregano tastes the same whether it’s dried or fresh. While it has a stronger flavor than thyme, it may be used in many recipes in lieu of the herb. Oregano may be used at a 1:1 ratio. It has a fiery taste and a strong thyme flavor.

Thyme has a woody, grassy flavor that works well in both sweet and savory recipes. It keeps its flavor even after lengthy cooking durations. Thyme has a flavor similar to grilled vegetables and meat. Thyme may be replaced with oregano, basil, or rosemary in savory dishes. All of these herbs have distinct flavors and may be used in both recipes.

• Marjoram

Marjoram is an excellent thyme substitute since it has a similar flavor and scent to thyme but is a bit stronger. Use up to three-quarters of a teaspoon of rosemary for every teaspoon of thyme in a recipe. However, since rosemary has a stronger flavor than other herbs, it may dominate the other ingredients. If you dislike the flavor of thyme, try substituting another herb. Many substitutes work just as well as thyme and provide a distinct flavor to your dishes.

While marjoram is not as often used as other herbs, it will complement rather than mask the natural flavor of your cuisine. It also costs less than many of its rivals. As a consequence, if you’re short of thyme and looking for a substitute, marjoram is a suitable choice. Here are seven herbs that may be used in place of thyme.

• Oregano

Oregano has a flavor similar to thyme, with a spicy herbal undertone. Many dishes may be prepared using fresh or dried oregano instead of thyme; however, use half or twice as much oregano. Because both plants are potent, you should experiment with both before determining which to use. But, before you go out and purchase dried oregano, make sure you know how much you need to prevent a sour aftertaste.

Thyme is a frequent spice in Italian cuisine. You may also use oregano powder for the herb. It has a strong, earthy flavor similar to thyme and may be used in a number of dishes. One tablespoon of thyme is often substituted for one teaspoon of oregano. Oregano is a wonderful substitute for thyme since it contains comparable flavor components.

• Tarragon

If you can’t get tarragon, use another herb with a similar flavor profile. Dill, for example, is a great substitute for tarragon, albeit its bittersweet undertones aren’t as pronounced. Tarragon may be simply substituted with fresh oregano. Oregano has a similar flavor to tarragon and may be used in place of fresh tarragon in recipes. Marjoram, an oregano family member, is another option to tarragon.

Marjoram is less aromatic and sweeter than tarragon, but does not have the same licorice-like flavor and fragrance. It complements tomato-based dishes very nicely. However, it is not as adaptable as tarragon, which is more frequently accessible in stores.

• Parsley

If you’ve never had thyme, you may be wondering what you can use in its stead. This adaptable herb is widely used, and most serious chefs have a bottle on hand. Flat-leaf parsley is the most popular, although there are other curly varieties. Curly-leaf parsley has a milder flavor and may be used in any dish. Flat-leaf parsley may be used in almost any dish, and dried varieties work just as well. It also has a milder flavor than curly-leaf parsley, making it a suitable replacement for fresh parsley when fresh parsley is unavailable.

Is Oregano and Thyme the Same?

It might be tough to learn about herbs since, although they all taste different, many of them look the same. What does thyme look like? It features a green or reddish stem and little green roundish leaves, many of which have tiny pointy tips that develop in small clusters among the stems. Oregano, on the other hand, is bushier and has wide flat, oval leaves that may be fuzzy at times. It has a musty aroma that smells like minty hay.

The flavors of thyme and oregano are unique and different. Thyme plants come in a variety of flavors, but they all have a minty, lemony, somewhat sweet, and peppery flavor. Oregano has a very strong and pungent flavor. It is similar to marjoram, but more strong. It leaves an astringent taste in your tongue, as if your mouth has suddenly become very clean and all of your saliva has evaporated.

Thyme has a stronger aroma, and if green can be used to represent an odor, it does an excellent job of portraying thyme. Chefs spend their whole lives studying how to cook with herbs. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of conceivable combinations that may add subtle subtleties to every cuisine.

If you don’t want to become a world-famous chef but want to wow your family and friends with a few exceptional combinations, using thyme and oregano to their greatest capacity will make all the difference. Herb ice cubes may also be made using oregano and thyme.

Why is Oregano Good for me?

Fresh oregano has antibacterial compounds. It includes phytonutrients that fight staph infections (thymol and carvacrol). It has a lot of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin E, tryptophan, and calcium, all of which help prevent cell damage.

Dried oregano has the same health advantages as fresh oregano, but it should be used with care. It should be stored for six months in a clean, dry glass container before being thrown. Old oregano, like other spices, loses its flavor and qualities with time.

As a consequence, oregano oil should be used differently from fresh oregano. The oil is used to treat sore throats, poor digestion, nausea, nasal congestion, cold sores, and muscle and joint pain. It also has antimicrobial properties, making it an excellent preventative strategy. Illnesses are prevalent in the winter, which is why you should have oregano oil on hand. It may be used in marinara sauce or salad dressing, but I like it with a spoonful of honey. Depending on the condition, oregano oil may be used in a number of ways, but a few drops each day for a week to ten days is normally advised.

What is the Difference Between Fresh Thyme vs. Dried Thyme?

While certain herbs are best fresh, thyme has a flavor profile that is the same whether dried or fresh. As a consequence, dried and fresh thyme may be used in recipes interchangeably.

The main difference is that to extract the most flavor out of the thyme, you must rehydrate it and activate the flavor by adding it to a wet dish. The sauce, broth, water, or dairy base in most recipes spontaneously activates the dried herb, making rehydrating dry thyme straightforward.

It is best to focus on the leaves when using fresh thyme in cooking or baking. Fresh leaves may be used whole or cut. While the stems have a distinct flavor, they will not decompose into an edible form when cooking. As a consequence, they work best in sauces or soups that need simmering but can be easily removed before serving. While dried thyme works just as well in hot cuisine as fresh thyme, fresh thyme may be more suited to cold dishes or a cocktail!

What is the Difference Between Oregano Leaf and Oregano Oil?

If you use oregano in a recipe, you’re most likely using the leaf, either fresh or dried. Some stems will very certainly be present in the dried form, but the final result will be crushed into small bits, rendering the stems indistinguishable from the leaf.

Oregano oil is derived from the leaves and stems of the plant, resulting in a highly concentrated oil. It is so strong that it should never be used without first diluting it, since it may cause severe burns on your skin if used directly, or on your tongue or throat if eaten. However, when blended with another oil or used to a recipe, it may deliver multiple health benefits with a tiny quantity of the essential oil.

Oregano oil may be purchased as a tablet or as a liquid essential oil. If you have the capsules, just follow the directions on the packaging and use as instructed. If you have a liquid oil, you have a number of options.

If you wish to use it topically to treat skin disorders or infections, dilute it with a carrier oil like olive oil or grapeseed oil first, using 1 teaspoon of safe carrier oil for every single drop of potent oregano oil.

What are Some Recipes in Which Oregano is Used?

• Provoleta with Oregano and Tomatoes

The success of this amazingly simple dishprovolone seared in a cast-iron skillet till crisp, caramelised, and meltydepends on the quality of the cheese itself, according to chef and grill genius Francis Mallmann. He recommends aiming for a sharp, mature cheese that is roughly eight or nine months old.

• Mussels with Speck, Lemon and Oregano

Ethan Stowell adores mussels all year, but his favorites are the large summer mussels from Washington’s Puget Sound. I normally take a few handfuls of mussels home at the end of the night and cook them for a late-night snack, he adds. To flavor the briny mussels, he adds lemon juice, fresh herbs, and speck, a salty cured ham.

• Oregano and Lemon Grilled Shrimp

The sauce for these shrimp is a modified version of the classic Italian salmoriglio, which is made in a mortar with lemon and herbs. The sauce complements grilled swordfish or other meaty fish.

• Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken with Potatoes and Olives

Tangy roasted Meyer lemons go wonderfully with quartered potatoes, olives, oregano, and chicken in this easy one-pot dish. In this version, lemon slices are roasted with the potatoes, giving the dish a fresher, more satisfying flavor.

• Stewed Tomatoes and Giant Lima Beans with Oregano Pesto

Tangy feta cheese, a vivid herbaceous pesto, and a crunchy bread crumb topping enhance this tomato-bean stew. It’s very good when cooked using meaty Rancho Gordo huge limas from Peru, silky gigantes, or big retail limas.

Conclusion

Most recipes call for both thyme and oregano, but there are a handful that call for just one. For many centuries, oregano has been used as a healing herb in traditional and alternative medicine. Although few studies have been conducted, it has been demonstrated to be strong in antioxidants, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. The existing research often employ oregano oil rather than dried or fresh oregano leaves. You might enjoy A Substitute for Cast Iron Skillet