Italian seasoning substitute

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If you need an Italian seasoning substitute, this is the guide for you. I will show you how to create your own blend and suggest other herbs that can work as alternatives for Italian seasoning.

Italian cuisine is famous for its rich and aromatic dishes, such as lasagna, pizza sauce, or pasta bolognese.

These recipes often rely on a blend of herbs and spices known as Italian seasoning.

However, if you are a fan of these flavors, you may find yourself running out of this essential ingredient at some point.

But don't worry! You can easily make your own replacement for Italian seasoning with some common herbs and spices.

What is Italian seasoning?

Italian seasoning is a mix of dried herbs that give your Italian recipes their characteristic flavor.

And like most other seasonings, there is not one way to make them.

It is almost always a mixture of oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, basil, and sometimes ingredients such as garlic powder, chili flakes, and parsley.

While you can add salt to the mix, I recommended to do it later during the cooking process to control the amount of saltiness. This way, you can avoid making the dish too salty for your taste.

Ingredients

Oregano - is often used in Mediterranean recipes. It has a slightly bitter and a little minty flavor.

Basil - has a sweet aroma and is often used in Italian recipes like Caprese salad and pizza.

Rosemary - is a member of the mint family. These fragrant leaves are used worldwide in spice mixes or tea.

Thyme - is a fragrant, woody herb used in Mediterranean recipes like stews and pasta sauce.

How to make your own Italian seasoning substitute

Making your own Italian seasoning substitute is super easy.

All you have to do is add the ingredients into a bowl, mix them well, and store them in an airtight glass container.

I like to reuse old spice jars for my homemade seasonings. This saves money and is better for the environment.

My tips to make this recipe

Save empty spice jars to store your homemade Italian seasoning in.

Try to buy the best quality herbs you can find. This will make a difference in the flavor.

You can store your homemade seasoning in a dark place for more than a year. Your seasoning starts to lose its flavor after that.

You can add some salt or chili flakes, but I like to add that later while I'm cooking.

If you want to make a larger batch, just double the recipe!

How to use this alternative for Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning is very versatile and my go-to recipe for chicken or pasta dishes like spaghetti bolognese or marinara sauce.

it is also amazing in salad dressings or on top of a homemade pizza. I also like to add a tablespoon when I make my easy fluffy pizza dough recipe to give it extra flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use fresh herbs?

If you like to use fresh herbs, you can absolutely use this recipe. Just make sure you wash and dry your herbs and use a little bit more than when you use dried herbs. Add soft herbs like basil and oregano a little later. They will lose their flavor more quickly.

What if I don't like Italian seasoning?

A mixture of half basil, half oregano, or Herbs de Provance can be a great replacement for Italian seasoning. These herbs will also give your recipes the classic Mediterranean flavor you are looking for.

More easy seasonings to make at home