In need of a basil substitute? Check out this list of 18 substitutes that you’ll likely have in your pantry to use in a pinch. We’re also going to dive in to basil’s unique flavor and why it’s so popular in different types of cuisines. Whip up some of these tasty recipes that use basil’s strong flavor!
Basil is a common herb that tastes strong, sweet, and peppery in a variety of dishes. It is actually a member of the mint family, along with oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Basil is not only used for pasta sauces, tomato sauces, and Italian dishes, but also in Mediterranean dishes, Thai, and Indian food.
Fresh basil leaves are green with a long and shiny rounded shape. You’ll find it in the vegetable/produce section at your grocery store.
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.
Fresh Basil vs. Dried Basil
Like any other fresh or dried herbs, fresh basil and dried basil can be used interchangeably. So, whenever you’re out of fresh basil, grab your dried basil in your spice rack.
The ability for dried to substitute for fresh will depend on the type of recipe you’re using. For example, it might not be the same if you’re making a Caprese salad, but it will taste the same in any other recipe that doesn’t specifically highlight fresh basil.
Because it takes more fresh basil to match the strong flavor of dried basil, you’ll need to adjust the ratio when swapping one for the other.
Use 3 times the amount of fresh basil when the recipe calls for dried basil. Use ⅓ the amount of dried basil when the recipe calls for fresh basil.
How do I know which basil substitute to use?
Use this at-a-glance table for basil substitution dishes best suited for certain cuisines:
| Mediterranean | Oregano, Celery Leaves, Mint |
| Italian | Oregano, Italian Seasoning, Flavored Oil, Savory, Parsley |
| French | Tarragon, Parsley, Savory |
| Mexican | Cilantro, Oregano |
| Asian | Cilantro |
| Thai | Cilantro, Mint |
| Vegetables | Rosemary, Savory |
| Chicken | Thyme, Tarragon, Poultry Seasoning, Rosemary, Fennel Seeds, Mint, Sage |
| Fish | Tarragon, Herbs de Provence, Poultry Seasoning, Fennel Seeds, Sage |
| Salads | Thyme, Celery Leaves, Spinach, Arugula, Cilantro, Flavored Oil (dressings), Lemon, Tarragon |
| Red Meat | Thyme, Poultry Seasoning, Fennel Seeds, Parsley, Rosemary |
| Sauce/Marinade | Thyme, Italian Seasoning, Tarragon, Fennel Seeds, Celery Leaves, Parsley, Mint, Spinach, Flavored Oil, Oregano, Lemon |
| Pesto | Celery Leaves, Spinach, Arugula, Flavored Oil, Sage |
| Soup/Stew | Cilantro, Savory, Sage |
| Dessert | Lemon |
6 Types of Basil (Taste Comparison)
FAQ
What is a substitute for basil in Italian food?
Can you replace basil with parsley?
What flavor does basil give?
What can you substitute for basil in pasta sauce?
What does Basil taste like?
Along with a strong aroma comes a robust flavor that works especially well in teas, basil simple syrup or infused oil, in a basil water infusion with other herbs (try a lavender, mint, and blue spice basil water infusion), and whenever a cocktail recipe calls for muddled basil or a basil leaf drink topper.
Can one eat basil by itself or with something?
It makes no difference to consume it alone or with some other food, as other foods do not interfere with its absorption.
What does lemon basil taste like?
Lemon and lime basil flavor also works well with sweet recipes, such as lemon basil or lime basil cookies, flavored sugar, or pancakes. Skip the lemon juice or lemon zest, and give lemon basil a try for a zesty, super refreshing taste that’s still herbaceous. Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil leaves have a lemony taste and soft leaves
What does Blue spice basil taste like?
Some gardeners have noted Blue Spice Basil has a similar taste as Ethopian basil (besobela), and can replace besobela in Ethiopian stews and spiced butter. However, it’s different from the camphor aroma of African Blue Basil.