What is a good substitute for Basil?
Substitutes for Basil: The 19 Best Options
- Fresh Basil. If the recipe calls for dried basil, the very best substitute is to use fresh basil. ...
- Spinach Leaves. Spinach leaves are best used as substitutes for basil in making pesto. ...
- Italian Seasoning. Italian Seasoning is a dried herb mixture that can be bought in the store. ...
- Oregano. ...
- Thyme. ...
- Celery Leaf. ...
- Cilantro. ...
- Mint. ...
- Olive oil-basil scented. ...
- Kale. ...
What to use in place of Basil?
What’s A Good Holy Basil Substitute?
- Your best bet: Mediterranean basil. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 150 varieties of basil in existence; the most popular one for use in Western cuisine is ...
- A decent second choice: Thai basil. ...
- In a pinch: Oregano. ...
- Other alternatives. ...
How does dried basil compare with fresh?
What The Conversion of 1/2 Cup Fresh Basil to Dried?
- Basil. Used in a variety of dishes, basil is a type of herb from the mint family. ...
- Fresh Basil vs. Dried Basil. ...
- Recipe Using Fresh Basil. ...
- Cooking Process: Using a small food processor, put in your basil, parsley, almonds, and garlic. ...
- Recipe Using Dried Basil. ...
- Cooking Process: Sauté your chopped garlic in a pan and add onions, carrots, corn, and beans. ...
Is fresh basil the same as dried basil?
What is the difference between fresh basil and dried basil? The big difference between dried and fresh basil is flavor. Dried basil is brittle and crumbly like most dried herbs, while fresh basil leaves have a similar texture to spinach and other fresh herbs. Note also that dried basil is a dull green color while fresh basil is a vibrant green.
What Herb is closest to basil?
Fresh oreganoWhat is this? Fresh oregano. This is the closest substitute when it comes to texture, flavor, and color. However, similar to basil, they could easily overpower the dish, so adjust to taste.
Can you substitute fresh basil for dried basil?
When using fresh basil instead of dried in a recipe, use 1 and 1/2 more than what the recipe says. Likewise, cut dried basil by the same amount when substituting it for fresh, that is, 2/3 of what is called for.
Can I use Italian seasoning instead of basil?
Many Italian recipes will still taste delicious if you use Italian seasoning instead of basil. This seasoning includes parsley, rosemary, thyme, pepper, oregano and, of course, basil. Pasta sauce is a food that will benefit from this using Italian seasoning.
Is there a substitute for basil?
Basil substitutes can include its mint cousins: 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.
Can I use parsley instead of basil?
Can I Use Parsley Instead of Basil? Yes, parsley can be used instead of basil especially as a garnish or in dishes that don't require such a bold flavor. Parsley is similar to basil in that it has nice large green leaves. Parsley, however, has a much milder flavor than basil.
Can I use thyme instead of basil?
Thyme is another herb that is used as a basil alternative. Its flavor is close to basil, but it is a little sharper. You can get strong mint and peppery notes in your dish using this herb. Many recipes combine thyme and basil.
Can I substitute Rosemary for basil?
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.
Can I substitute bay leaves for basil?
As mentioned above, bay leaves add a minty, piney, black pepper flavor that can be slightly bitter, yet slightly floral. Can you substitute basil for bay leaf? Yes, definitely!
Basil Substitutes – The 19 Best Options
Though there are many options as substitutes for basil, some are herbs and plants are better for specific purposes than others.
1. Fresh Basil
If the recipe calls for dried basil, the very best substitute is to use fresh basil. If using fresh basil, you’ll need a larger quantity than the recipe calls for to compensate for the milder flavor of fresh basil. Dry basil has a denser flavor. See our equivalent conversions for dried and fresh basil.
2. Spinach Leaves
Spinach leaves are best used as substitutes for basil in making pesto. It allows the bright green leafy color to be maintained. Some people just plain don’t like the taste of basil and so if that’s the case around your table then you can use fresh spinach leaves in this case where you don’t want the overwhelming flavor of basil.
3. Italian Seasoning
Italian Seasoning is a dried herb mixture that can be bought in the store. As it says, it is great for Italian recipes. The mixture includes rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, oregano and even basil. A word of caution though on using Italian Seasoning.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a frequent seasoning used in Mediterranean cooking. Oregano has a peppery taste. When using it as one of your substitutes for basil, it goes best in dishes such as casseroles, pizza and pasta sauces.
5. Thyme
When using thyme as one of your substitutes for basil, it is important the know that it has a bit of a distinct lemony taste. It works in casseroles and sauces. But remember to go easy on thyme because it can have an unpleasant flavor if it is overused.
6. Celery Leaf
Often times, people look past the use of celery leaves, and they end up in the trash. Believe it or not, using celery leaves can be a good option to use in place of basil for making pesto. It allows the nice, fresh green color to be maintained and the flavor is acceptable.
What is basil?
A sweet fragrant herb with a hint of aniseed, basil plays a big role in many Mediterranean dishes. Fresh basil, as well as dried basil, is great with garlic, works a charm in fresh salads and is a key ingredient in pesto.
12 Basil Substitutes
Refer to this list of basil substitutes if you accidentally run out of this super useful and fragrant herb in the kitchen.
Best basil based recipes
Check out some of these fantastic recipes that showcase the beautiful fresh flavor of basil.
Substituting Fresh and Dried
The best substitute for a fresh herb is always its dried counterpart or vice versa. If you need dried basil but all you have is fresh, you can always use that version as a suitable replacement or the other way around.
Common Ways to Substitute for Basil
Here are some common ways to substitute for basil that will work well in most circumstances.
Recipes with Basil
Here are some simple and delicious recipes that call for basil. Use these to test out your favorite way to substitute for basil. You’ll love them for your weeknight meals!
1. Parsley
There is hardly anything you can’t do with parsley. This herb won’t perfectly replicate the strong and peppery flavor of basil, but it’s sure to enhance your dish in its very own way.
2. Spinach
For many of us, spinach will always be linked to the image of Popeye, who turned this vegetable into his very personal elixir of strength and taught a whole generation of kids the importance of eating more greens.
3. Oregano
Oregano, basil, and parsley are often treated as interchangeable in the kitchen, although they each bring a different kick to your dishes.
4. Thyme
Thyme comes from the same family as basil, so it’s the perfect basil replacement. There are more than a hundred varieties of thyme, each with its own characteristics.
5. Celery leaves
Celery is one of those vegetables known for its stalks, rather than its leaves. In fact, more often than not the leaves are simply discarded.
6. Cilantro
Coriander, or cilantro, is part of the same family as parsley, and indeed the two plants look almost identical.
7. Mint
Mint comes from the same family as basil and if you know anything about this herb, you might be wondering what kind of mint you can use as a substitute for basil leaves.
Fresh Basil
Italian basil has a soft texture, and a mild peppery flavor along with hints of sweet, minty notes. The best fresh basil substitutes are herbs and greens that can mimic some of those flavors with a similar soft texture.
Dried Basil
There are a lot of great substitutes for dried basil, the first of which is actually fresh basil! Plus, it's super easy to go from fresh to dried basil (check out this post on how to dry basil leaves ).
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