Top 5 Rosemary Substitutes that You Can Use
Anybody who has used rosemary will tell you how powerful it is. It has a taste that is sometimes described as pungy. It is one of the most common herbs that can transform even the blandest of tastes. It has been used over the years in cooked meat, sauces, and many other dishes. However, if you pair rosemary with the wrong flavors, you could have a disaster with your cooking. The same is true when you use too much of it. Rosemary is very easy to grow at home but when it is not readily available, there are other substitutes that can be used. In this article, we will consider the top five substitutes that you can use for rosemary.
Dried Rosemary Substitute
When it comes to herbs, most people prefer it fresh. The same goes for rosemary. However, when fresh rosemary is not available (as it is impossible to be available all year round), you can always opt for the dried option. Unlike the fresh rosemary, the dried option can be stored over a longer period of time. When it comes to taste, if the recipe requires only fresh rosemary, you can use the dried one if that is the only option available to you. You cannot promise that the taste is going to be as good as using the fresh option. But it will not be far from it. However, to ensure that you have the right taste you are looking for (or close to it), you have to measure the dried option differently. For example, if you are supposed to use say one tablespoonful of fresh rosemary in your recipe, for your substitute dried option, use about a quarter of a tablespoon instead. This is because the dried option carries a different level of effect when it comes to flavor, from the fresh one.
Aside from that, the content that you will find in the dried rosemary is basically the same as the one you will find in the fresh one. Plus, both have the same health benefits. These include helping to control high blood pressure and treating rheumatism and dyspepsia. You can purchase your dried rosemary from your local grocery store.
Thyme
If you are looking for a good substitute for rosemary, you cannot look too far from thyme. Both thyme and rosemary have a similar look. Thyme plant is a proud member of the mint plant family. It comes not only with an undertone that is peppery and warm, but it also has an aroma that is close to lemon, caraway, or eucalyptus. The plant is native to Greece and Egypt, although it can be found currently in most grocery stores across the United States.
Thyme is one of the popular choices when it comes to seasoning. It can be used either fresh or dried. Again, the amount used changes depending on whether it is dried or fresh. You can use thyme to improve the taste of your casserole, salads, cooked meat, scrambled eggs, you name them. The quantity you will need will vary depending on the particular dish. Most people prefer to use thyme in diced form as it is easier to bring out its full flavor that way. Compared to rosemary, thyme is much easily available. When it comes to health benefits, thyme is a good source of vitamins A, B, and B6. it also contains iron, calcium, and magnesium. It also helps to support the immune system as it anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties. It is also a common ingredient in soaps and perfumes. Aside from the fact that you can easily get this herb from the local grocery store, you can also plant it in your own backyard.
Tarragon
Another alternative for rosemary is tarragon. For most lovers of tarragon, this herb is the perfect replacement for rosemary. In fact, most people consider the two interchangeable. Tarragon is a member of the sunflower family and comes with a taste that is very spicy. The plant itself is originally from North America and comes with a fragrance that can be likened to licorice. This herb is a popular herb in a lot of French cuisines. The most popular on that comes to mind is the Béarnaise sauce, which is famous is most French restaurants across the country. When it comes to usage, both the fresh and dried options can be used. However, because they both contain different levels of flavors, you have to be careful when using them. For example, when using dried tarragon, one teaspoon is enough to do the trick. Additionally, when using the fresh option, use about ¼ instead of one teaspoon.
Tarragon can be used in soups, sauces, salads, as well as in many other recipes. It is available in most grocery stores across the country. However, when using tarragon, it is best to use small amounts at a time as the overdoing it can easily ruin the taste of your cooking. For the best results, tarragon should not be stored for too long as it can lose its flavor. The best way to store it is to chop it into smaller sizes, place them in a container, and store them in a refrigerator. When it comes to health benefits, tarragon contains vitamins A, B, C. It is also rich in other essential nutrients such as iron, copper, magnesium, and copper. It also contains some antioxidant properties and can be used to help lower blood sugar levels. It also helps in stimulating appetite.
Savory
Another rosemary replacement worth a place on this list is savory. However, it is important to note that there are two types of savory. These are summer and winter savory. Winter savory is not an option as it offers nothing near to what we can call a substitute for rosemary. This is because it comes with a rather bitter taste and lacks the delicateness that you will get in the summer savory. Summer savory is where our focus is. It is a popular ingredient in a lot of traditional Canadian dishes. It is also used a lot in traditional Romanian as well as Bulgarian cuisine.
However, summer savory has the most impact when using it while cooking chicken. But that’s not all. You can also add it to your casseroles, beans, lentils, meatloaves, as well as other meals that require a slower cooking process. You can also chop it up into smaller sizes and use it to garnish your meals. Summer savory can also be mixed with garnish and parsley added to scrambled eggs for the best results. When cooking poultry, you can also add just a little bit of the winter savory to the summer savory for the best results. Also, to help you improve the aroma and flavor of your sauces, you can add some summer savory to them. Now for nutritional and health benefits, summer savory contains vitamins A, C, and B6. it also contains magnesium, iron, and calcium. Summer savory also comes with some antiseptic properties. For medicinal purposes, summer savory can be used to soothe throats. It can also be used to treat indigestion, flatulence, and diarrhea. It can also be found in some soaps. Summer savory is available in a lot of local grocery stores across the country. Plus, it is very easy to grow at home.
Related Post: Casserole Dishes
Bay Leaf
The last but definitely not the least entry onto our list of top five rosemary substitutes is the bay leaf. Bay leaf is one of the most popular herbs that most professional chefs use. It comes with a sweet taste and a very good aroma and can be a wonderful addition to a lot of dishes. The is originally from Asia Minor. However, it has become of the cooking tradition in several homes across the country. Thus, it is also being grown locally. If you want to bring out the best in bay leaf as an alternative for rosemary, then there are two other herbs that you should mix it with – peppermint and thyme.
Before you use bay leaves, it is best to let them dry out in the sun for a few hours. This is because fresh bay leaves come with a touch of bitterness to their taste, which can ruin your cooking when used fresh. You have nothing to worry about as their flavor will remain intact even after hours in the sun. Now let’s talk about some health benefits. Bay leaf is rich in iron, calcium, copper, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. They can be used to help manage health problems like diabetes and to enhance the respiratory system. Bay leaf is not difficult to find as it is available in a lot of local grocery stores.
To Summarize
In conclusion, if you have ever asked the question, “what can I substitute for rosemary?” then, hopefully, this article has got you covered. The substitutes for rosemary mentioned in this article all come with proven health benefits. Thus, whenever you run out of rosemary, there is no need to panic. Just reach out for any of the above-mentioned options. Granted, fresh rosemary is best, and it is sometimes an important ingredient in dishes. But these substitutes will not disappoint you when given a chance.
