Can I substitute basil for bay leaves?

What spice can replace bay leaf?

Substitute 1/4 tsp. dried thyme or oregano, for each bay leaf or 1/4 tsp. crushed bay leaf called for in the recipe.

It imparts a slightly sweet peppery flavor to food and is a classic herb for Italian dishes. Basil loves the heat and dies off when frost hits. Like other herbs, basil is a green, leafy plant, but the herb has several distinct physical traits that make it distinctive.

When compared to parsley, cilantro has a stronger flavor. For Italian dishes, basil is an ideal replacement for parsley. If you want a substitute for dried parsley, and fresh parsley is not available; try dried basil, sage or marjoram. Choose a herb with a mild flavor.

Examples of Mediterranean herbs that will grow well together in containers are:

Sage.

Thyme.

Rosemary.

Marjoram.

Oregano.

Lavender.

If you are preparing a dish with dried coriander, cumin is a great substitution as it provides a similar warm, spicy flavor. The coriander plant’s green leaves are the fresh herb cilantro, which typically you either love or hate. Fresh Italian parsley or basil are good substitutions for cilantro.

If you don’t have dried rosemary on hand or you simply prefer to use fresh ingredients, either oregano or basil will work as a substitute. Use the same amount of your substitute herb as the amount of rosemary your recipe requires.

Savory is best known for its culinary powers. Both summer and winter savory are used in cooking. Summer savory has a peppery taste much like thyme, while winter savory has a more piney taste. Savory blends well with other herbs such as basil, bay leaf, marjoram, thyme and rosemary.

Other common herbs that you can substitute for thyme include oregano and basil. These are all included in Italian seasoning and along with thyme give it its flavor. However, you should note that rosemary has a very strong distinctive flavor that can easily overpower other seasonings.

Savory also dries well. Once dried and chopped, it is an integral part of many herb mixtures, such as Herbs de Provence. This blend of Mediterranean herbs brings out the best in stews, vegetable dishes, pizza toppings, and shines as a seasoning for roasting meats, fowl, and fish. Winter savory is a coarser variety.

Herb Substitutes

Basil: oregano or thyme.

Bay leaf: For 1 bay leaf, substitute 1/4 teaspoon crushed bay leaf or 1/4 teaspoon thyme.

Chervil: tarragon or parsley.

Chives: green onion, onion, or leek.

Cilantro: parsley.

Dill (weed or seed): Use an equal amount of tarragon.

Fennel: anise seed.

Italian seasoning: basil, oregano, or rosemary.

If you find you are out of oregano, marjoram may be substituted. Use 1/2 the amount of oregano called for. Basil, savory, and thyme are other possible substitutions. Garlic, onion, thyme, basil, parsley, and olive oil are common complementary seasoning partners.

Substitute 1/4 tsp. dried thyme or oregano, for each bay leaf or 1/4 tsp. crushed bay leaf called for in the recipe. Have dried bay leaves, when your recipe calls for crushed, or fresh bay leaves when your recipe calls for dried?

Herb and Spices Substitute Guide. For any herb, you can substitute 1 teaspoon dried herb for 1 tablespoon fresh herb.

Allspice: cinnamon, dash of nutmeg or cloves.

Basil: oregano or thyme.

Bay leaf: For 1 bay leaf, substitute 1/4 teaspoon crushed bay leaf or 1/4 teaspoon thyme.

Chervil:

Chives:

Cilantro:

Cloves:

In other words, if the original recipe calls for two teaspoons of finely chopped fresh basil, you can simply substitute the amount with one teaspoon of dried basil leaves. Similarly, two tablespoons of fresh basil would correspond to 1 tablespoon of dried basil.

This is not true—bay leaves may be eaten without toxic effect. However, they remain unpleasantly stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces, they may pose a risk of harming the digestive tract or causing choking.

Fresh leaves, if overused, can be overpowering in a dish and might need to be removed early during cooking. Dried bay leaves impart a more subtle flavour and are generally left in a dish as it cooks then retrieved before serving. There is no substitute for fresh dried bay leaves because they lose their aroma with time.

As it is one of the milder herbs it is quite difficult to substitute but if it is being used in a cooked dish, such as a tomato sauce or on a pizza, then oregano is another mild herb which could be used. If you want to make pesto then you can cut down the amount of basil used and add baby leaf spincah instead.

Place a soup pot over medium heat and coat with the oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme and bay leaf. Cook and stir for about 6 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a boil.

Herb Substitutes / ReplacementsHerb Substitutions in CookingOreganothyme, basil, or marjoramParsleychervil or cilantroPoultry Seasoningsage plus a blend of any of these: thyme, marjoram, savory, black pepper, rosemary or 3 parts sage and 1 part ground thymeRosemarythyme, tarragon, or savory

This is not true.) So, because swallowing a bay leaf is liable to cause esophageal discomfort and/or injury, most recipes call for them to be used whole and then discarded. But that’s not the end of the story, because bay leaves in fact can be crushed or ground into a powder (you can buy pre-ground bay leaves here).

Herb SubstitutionsBasilOregano or thymeSagePoultry seasoning, savory, marjoram, or rosemarySavoryThyme, marjoram, or sageTarragonChervil, dash fennel seed, or dash aniseedThymeBasil, marjoram, oregano, or savory