Fresh and dried herbs
Substitutes for oregano
How to swap fresh and dried oregano, and what to use when you have neither. Oregano dries well, so dried works in most cooked dishes.
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In place of fresh oregano
Dried oregano
- How much
- 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much)
- How
- Crumble it between your fingers and add it early, with the liquid or the onions, so it has time to soften and give up its flavor.
- What changes
- Dried oregano is strong and savory; many cooks prefer it in tomato sauce and on pizza.
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In place of dried oregano
Fresh oregano
- How much
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh for each 1 tsp dried (three times as much)
- How
- Add most of it near the end of cooking and a little more just before serving.
- What changes
- Brighter and more peppery; use a little less than you think.
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In place of fresh oregano
Fresh marjoram
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Sweeter and milder; a close cousin.
- Best in
- Everything.
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In place of fresh oregano
Fresh thyme or basil
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Thyme is earthier, basil sweeter.
- Best in
- Sauces, salads.
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In place of dried oregano
Dried marjoram, Italian seasoning or dried basil
- How much
- The same amount
- What changes
- Marjoram is milder, basil sweeter; Italian seasoning already has oregano in it.
- Best in
- Tomato sauce, pizza, soups.
Good to know
- A rough guide for leaves: 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs, 1 tsp dried, ½ tsp ground (for herbs sold ground).
Simmerbee recipes with oregano (30)
- Baked Muffuletta-Style Party Sliders
- Blackened Fish Tacos with Lime Slaw
- Cajun-Style Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
- Chicken Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce
- Classic Baked Beef and Pork Meatballs
- Classic Beef and Bean Chili
- Classic Greek Village Salad
- Classic Meat Sauce Lasagna
- Creamy White Chicken Chili
- Creole-Style Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya
- Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts
- Greek Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Greek-Style Lemon Oregano Roasted Potatoes
- Grilled Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
- Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
- Ground Beef Tacos with Homemade Seasoning
- Hearty Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
- Mediterranean Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Feta
- One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore
- Oven-Braised Crispy Pork Carnitas
- Overnight Cherry Tomato and Olive Focaccia
- Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki with Peppers and Onions
- Skillet Sausage and Peppers
- Slow-Cooker Cuban-Style Mojo Pork
- Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas
- Smoky Vegan Black Bean Soup
- Three-Cheese Baked Ziti
- Tomato and Fennel Seafood Stew
- Weeknight Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
On those recipes, tap Swaps next to the ingredient for the short version.