Italian seasoning is a mixture of savory spices that constitute the heart and soul of Italian dishes. But if you have run out of it, no worries. Read on to familiarize yourself with some of the best substitutes for Italian seasoning that will help you replicate its exact flavors.
Herbs like oregano, garlic, parsley, basil, rosemary, and thyme, are mixed to produce this flavorful ingredient called Italian seasoning. It can be efficiently used to improve the flavor of spaghetti, chicken, and meatballs.
Honestly, no Italian dish can achieve its desired flavor without Italian seasoning. So, instead of skipping it from your recipe, consider this list of 13 Italian seasoning substitutes that will not leave you disappointed.
Outline
13 Best Substitutes for Italian Seasoning
1. Herbes de Provence
One of the first ingredients that come to mind while brainstorming substitutes for Italian seasoning is herbes de Provence. This French seasoning is made of similar constituents and provides the same flavors to your dish.
It is most commonly used with meat, salad dishes, vegetables, chicken, and fish. However, herbes de Provence lacks the flavors of oregano and thyme which you can consider adding separately to your recipe.
Additionally, this blend provides a floral taste to your recipe because of the presence of lavender which is characteristic of Provence, a France-located region.
How to substitute: An equal quantity of herbs de Provence can best replace Italian seasoning in any recipe.
2. Greek seasoning
Originating from the Mediterranean region, greek seasoning is another ingredient that resembles the flavor of Italian seasoning. It contains a mixture of parsley, oregano, basil, and garlic powder.
However, the presence of dill in this blend overpowers the other ingredients, providing a minty and peppery flavor to your dish. So, before adding it to your recipe, cross-check if its dominant dill flavor goes well with the other spices or not.
It works perfectly with meat, fish, vegetables, and salad dishes. Additionally, Greek seasoning provides a strong aroma to your recipe that can make anyone fall in love with it.
How to substitute: Use an equal quantity to replace herbs de Provence with Greek seasoning.
3. Dried Basil
Dried basil, one of the major components of Italian seasoning, can easily serve as a substitute in any dish. It has an earthy, pepper-like taste with minty undertones that provides a lip-smacking flavor to your dish.
Although basil can be used in both the form, fresh and dried, it is preferable to utilize its dried variety as it is easy to store and mix with other spices while adding to your dish.
To further enhance the flavor of your dish and provide it with a characteristic Italian flavor, you can mix it with oregano in an equal quantity. You can even add pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
How to substitute: Half the amount of dried basil can best substitute Italian seasoning in any recipe.
4. Za’atar
If you are a fan of Middle Eastern cuisines, Za’atar might be your ideal substitute for Italian seasoning. Containing a mixture of thyme and oregano za’atar provides a similar savory flavor to your dish.
Even better, za’atar enhances the flavor of your dish with its tart-like flavor rendered due to the presence of coriander, cumin, and sesame seeds. However, sauces and soups might not taste well with sesame seeds, so use them accordingly.
Za’atar works magic when used with dips and marinades. Besides, with the presence of nutrients and antioxidants, it forms a healthier alternative.
How to substitute: Use a 1:1 ratio to replace Za’atar with Italian seasoning.
5. Pizza seasoning
Pizzas are loved by everyone and their seasoning even more. Having the same base of ingredients as Italian seasoning, pizza seasoning works as a fantastic substitute for it.
It contains a mixture of rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano, with a delicious twist of fennel, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can even add pepper flakes and paprika to enhance the flavor of your recipe.
Utilize it while preparing salads, meatballs, pasta, and sauces, to bring the rich flavors of pizza seasoning.
How to substitute: An equal quantity of pizza seasoning can best replace Italian seasoning in any recipe.
6. Herbes de la garrigue
If you are looking for a gluten-free substitute to replace Italian seasoning, consider using herbes de la garrigue. With savory herbs like fennel and lavender, it replicates the flavors of Italian seasoning.
Originating from the Southwestern France region, herbes de la garrigue is a mixture consisting of rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and sage. It works fantastically with stew, beans, sauces, and sausages.
You can even consider adding bay leaves and mint to enhance the flavors of your recipe.
How to substitute: Use an equal quantity to replace herbs de Provence with Greek seasoning.
7. Creole Seasoning
Another fantastic substitute that can best replace Italian seasoning is creole seasoning. With its delicious spiciness and earthy taste, it provides an enhanced flavor to your recipe.
Paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper present in it provide an interesting punch to your dish, making it an even better ingredient than Italian seasoning. For people who love spices and cannot do with just salt and pepper, creole seasoning works best.
Ideally, it is used in dishes made of rice and stews to provide them with their characteristic fiery and smoky flavor.
How to substitute: Half the amount of dried basil can best substitute Italian seasoning in any recipe. However, adding more according to your taste and preference is of no harm.
8. Italian Dressing Mix
If you have run out of Italian seasoning, but have its significant alternative, Italian dressing mix in store, you are in luck.
Italian dressing mix is a mixture of oregano and basil which constitute the two major ingredients of Italian seasoning and hence can be easily used to replace it. Further, it includes pepper, thyme, onion powder, parsley, sugar, and salt which makes your dish even tastier.
It is characteristically used in Italian-American dishes like lasagna and sausage soups. Even pasta and meatballs taste fantastic with it. Be cautious with the amount of salt used in the recipe as the mixture already has it in an appropriate amount.
How to substitute: An equal quantity of Italian dressing mix can best replace Italian seasoning in any recipe.
9. Oregano
Easily available and the most loved ingredient, oregano is another fantastic component that can be used to replace Italian seasoning in a pinch. A sprinkle of oregano on top of a pizza or pasta is the most craved ingredient by everyone.
When added to your recipe, its earthy and pepper-like flavor helps to replicate the taste of Italian seasoning, making it an ideal alternative. Oregano also has a balanced quantity of sweet and spicy flavors, further enhancing the taste of your dish.
How to substitute: Half the amount of oregano can best substitute Italian seasoning in any recipe. However, adding more according to your taste and preference is of no harm.
10. Sage
Sage is another savory herb that serves as a fantastic substitute for Italian seasoning. It compliments the flavors of thyme and oregano, producing a rich earthy flavor that resembles the taste of Italian seasoning in any recipe.
However, if you are using it separately in a dish, you must be cautious of the quantity used as its strong flavors can easily dominate the taste of other ingredients in a recipe.
How to substitute: Add one-fourth teaspoon of sage for one teaspoon of Italian seasoning called for in a recipe. However if you mix it with other ingredients, half a teaspoon of sage is of no harm.
11. Bay Leaves
If you are looking for a vegan substitute to replace Italian seasoning, bay leaves might be your ideal ingredient. It is a component present in Italian seasoning and hence closely resembles its flavors and texture.
It is one of the most easily found ingredients, located in almost all grocery stores. You can use it in both fresh and dried form. However, the quantity used will vary according to the variety used.
How to substitute: Use an equal quantity of bay leaves to replace Italian seasoning when using its fresh form. But reduce its quantity to half when utilizing dried form as it has much more concentrated flavors.
12. Black Pepper
The most commonly used and easily available ingredient, black pepper can replace Italian seasoning in a pinch. Its mildly sweet, pungent, and spicy flavor when added to your dish satisfies your palate with the savory richness of Italian seasoning.
If you are craving some earthy peppery flavors, black pepper will serve best for you. Additionally, it contains some other spices that further enhance the flavor of your dish.
How to substitute: Half the amount of oregano can best substitute Italian seasoning in any recipe.
13. Fresh Herbs
If your refrigerator is always full of fresh herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano, you are in luck. All of these herbs serve as a fantastic substitute for Italian seasoning.
These herbs work well with recipes like pasta, salads, basic vegetables, and soups. You just need to increase their quantity a bit as their dried alternatives have a much more concentrated flavor.
How to substitute: Use double the amount of fresh herbs to replace the Italian seasoning called for in your recipe.
So, here you have it, the 13 fantastic substitutes for Italian seasoning that will not let you compromise on its earthy flavors. Go ahead, pick your ideal ingredient according to your requirement and relish its delicious flavors.
