What can you use as a substitute for basil?

Answer 1

The most common substitutes for dry basil would be oregano, thyme or marjoram. But because you asked for leaves, I would say substitute 1/2 celery leaves and 1/2 parsley leaves. Cilantro would also work, depending upon the dish you are making.

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Answer 2

I find most herbs and spices are very distinct and cannot easily be substituted. Basil in particular doesn't lend itself to substitutions even within its own family; it is generally not a good idea to substitute sweet Italian basil with Thai basil or the peppery Mexican variety.

However, many recipes can still lead to a rewarding result if certain replacements are made. For example, a dish involving tomatoes might call for sweet Italian Basil, but might still be delicious when using Oregano instead.

Mind you, in this example, the oregano-flavored dish will be very different from the Basil-flavored one. In that sense, Oregano is a poor replacement for Basil, however, it harmonizes well with many dishes which also harmonize well with Basil.

Answer 3

i tried oregano and rose Mary and my recipe turned out great!

Answer 4

No two spices are really good substitutes for one another, but oregano or summer savory might do in a dish calling for basil.