The smell of something cooking with rosemary is perhaps one of the most warm and cozy things we can experience. Between that and its year-round availability, it's a popular herb to use. Its aroma and flavor tend to conjure images of cold weather cooking, its use often synonymous with "roasted", and it becomes more prevalent in the cooking and baking of the fall and winter seasons.
Rosemary grows easily in gardens, and stays fresh for quite a long time. It allows you to just cut what you need and leave the rest. But if growing your own isn't an option, you can't get to a store, or if you're fresh out, here's what you can use instead.
Here's the Right Way to Store Fresh Rosemary
What Does Rosemary Taste Like?
Rosemary is an intense, pungent herb that properly lives up to its distinction as an aromatic. Other good descriptors are piney, earthy, peppery, lemony, woodsy, and minty. It's a hearty herb with a complex flavor, doting extremely well on rich meat dishes as well as potatoes or other root vegetables.
When deciding what to use in place of rosemary, think about what would complement the individual dish you're making the best out of what you have to work with. The answer won't always be the same.
You can swap any of the following herbs in their fresh state for fresh rosemary in equal measure. For measurements sake, know that 1 sprig fresh rosemary equals about 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary which would be equal to 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary. So, if the recipe calls for 1 sprig rosemary and you're choosing to use dried thyme, you would use 1/4 teaspoon.
Get the recipe:Grilled Lemon and Rosemary Lamb Chops
Sage mirrors rosemary in that it is very strong, especially in its dried or ground form and touts a piney, woodsy aroma. Let it step in for rosemary in meat dishes that utilize beef, pork, or chicken, as it will add a bit of an extra dimension. Use equal amounts of fresh sage to fresh rosemary, but 1/4 the amount if using dried. You can always add but you cannot take away.
Thyme
Thyme is another savory roasting herb, often used in tandem with rosemary. It can easily step in to a recipe calling for rosemary, but it is much more mild and can lean more floral or even more minty at times. It'll be as readily available in stores and though the flavor might not be the best match to rosemary, it'll be a welcome addition to whatever you use it in. Add thyme in equal proportion to any poultry dish, tomato-based dish, or roasted potatoes or vegetables.
Everything You Need to Know About Sage
Marjoram
Marjoram has a similar flavor, but it's a bit more unique, with an added citrus element. Use fresh marjoram in equal parts and dried in 1/4 the amount, adding more if needed or if your spice isn't the freshest (marjoram isn't exactly in the top of our commonly used spices on the rack). Its delicately sweet flavor with bitter notes pairs well with meat. Marjoram also loves mushrooms, stews, soups, and casseroles.
Savory
With a similar flavor to rosemary (though admittedly lacking the depth and woodiness), savory might not be a commonly used herb and might not be on hand, but if you happen across some, it will work in a pinch. Summer savory would be better, even if winter would seem to be the best choice, just because of its milder, more tame nature. Try it with chicken or fish.
Oregano
Oregano is another readily available, woodsy herb in the mint family. Use it in equal proportion fresh to fresh or dried to dried. It's big savory flavor is a good all-around swap for pork, beef, lamb, chicken, mushrooms, and especially tomato-based dishes.
How to Dry Fresh Herbs at Home
Italian Seasoning
This is a handy spice blend that already includes rosemary, along with marjoram, basil, oregano, sage, and thyme. Italian seasoning would make a fine substitution anywhere that dried rosemary is used but would work on a roast in place of fresh as well. Use half the amount of rosemary called for and season to taste.
Bay Leaf
This aromatic leaf of the laurel tree would be great for stew or a hearty roast. It tastes woody and floral with bitter notes underneath. Never use more than two per dish, period. If swapping with rosemary, 1 leaf equals 2 tablespoons rosemary.
Fresh oregano can be used as a 1:1 substitution for fresh rosemary in recipes. Basil is another herb in the same family as rosemary. Many people grow basil at home and it is readily available in most stores. Although it is sweeter than rosemary, fresh basil can be used as a 1:1 substitution for fresh rosemary.
Fresh oregano can be used as a 1:1 substitution for fresh rosemary in recipes. Basil is another herb in the same family as rosemary. Many people grow basil at home and it is readily available in most stores. Although it is sweeter than rosemary, fresh basil can be used as a 1:1 substitution for fresh rosemary.
Thyme is a hard herb, meaning it grows on a semi-firm wooden stick and has a heartier quality to the leaves. The other most common hard herb that makes for a decent substitute is rosemary. Rosemary is also unique in flavor but it can almost always be used in place of thyme for both savory and sweet recipes.
Rosemary, an aromatic herb, adds flavor to a diverse range of dishes, including stews, salads, soups and casseroles. A fantastic complement to grains, potatoes, onions and mushrooms, rosemary delivers a delightful combination when paired with protein, such as lamb, poultry, beef, chicken, and fish.
Other Name(s): Compass Plant, Compass Weed, Encensier, Herbe Aux Couronnes, Old Man, Polar Plant, Romarin, Romarin Des Troubadours, Romero, Rose de Marie, Rose Des Marins, Rosée De Mer, Rosemarine, Rosmarinus officinalis, Rusmari, Rusmary.
Basil substitutes can include its mint cousins: Greek oregano, mint, and thyme. Tarragon and savory are also suitable alternatives to basil. Because basil is included in Italian seasoning, that is also a good alternative for basil when called for in an Italian-style recipe.
Because of its diuretic effects, rosemary might cause the body to lose too much water, and the amount of lithium in the body can build up to toxic levels.
Rosemary has a flavor that is variously described as piney, resinous, astringent, peppery, lemony, and woodsy. It features notes of evergreen, citrus, lavender, sage, and mint.
Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Antioxidants play an important role in neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals and preventing oxidative stress, both of which can contribute to preventing and alleviating chronic inflammatory conditions.
Basil has a sweet, warm, peppery taste and is famous for its use in the Italian kitchen. Basil works well with most other herbs:Parsley, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, chives, dill, mint and coriander.
Dill weed. Herbs and Spices: Pairs extremely well with cilantro, tarragon, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary, basil, coriander, cardamom, mint, and thyme. Foods: Pairs extremely well with guava, citrus fruits, carrot, peach, seafood, bacon, and chicken.
We suggest parsley, rosemary, and thyme as a classic and simple way to season the potatoes, but really, any herbs or spices are welcome here. Try hot smoked paprika and turmeric for spicy, herbal potatoes or za'atar and cumin for floral, smoky potatoes.
Basil and rosemary should not be planted together. Basil prefers more moisture than rosemary. This means that one or the other will be sacrificed - either the basil will have enough moisture to flourish and the rosemary will suffer or vice versa. Mint is another plant that should not be planted near rosemary.
Basil, oregano and rosemary belong to the mint family. All these plants are characterised by aromatic leaves and are cultivated across the world. They are firm favourites in many traditional and modern recipes and are quite easy to grow, whether you have a garden or just a plain old windowsill.
Basil substitutes can include its mint cousins: Greek oregano, mint, and thyme. Tarragon and savory are also suitable alternatives to basil. Because basil is included in Italian seasoning, that is also a good alternative for basil when called for in an Italian-style recipe.
Basil has a sweet, warm, peppery taste and is famous for its use in the Italian kitchen. Basil works well with most other herbs:Parsley, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, chives, dill, mint and coriander.
Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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