13 Best Substitutes for Italian Seasoning – Perfect Replacement

Italian seasoning is a popular spice mix that is used in many dishes. However, what happens if you don’t have any Italian seasoning on hand or you’re simply wondering what to use instead of Italian seasoning? In this blog post, we will discuss 10 substitutes for Italian seasoning that will give your dishes the perfect flavor combination!

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When I was younger, my family and I would go to Italy every year to visit my grandparents. As a child, I loved exploring the different villages and trying all of the local cuisines. One of my favorite dishes was pasta with Italian seasoning. However, one year we couldn’t go to Italy and my Italian grandmother made me pasta with a substitute seasoning.

After questioning her about the best substitute to use when you don’t have Italian seasoning, she told me that the best replacement is to make your own homemade mix using a combination of oregano, basil, thyme, dried sage, and rosemary.

However, there are a number of other options that could work. I did a lot of research and tried out different recipes, but none of them worked well. Thankfully, I found some great ones that I’ll share with you below:

Italian Seasoning Substitutes

  1. Homemade Italian seasoning
  2. Fresh herbs
  3. Herbes de Provence
  4. Oregano and Dried Basil
  5. Dried basil, Thyme, and Oregano
  6. Homemade Italian Seasoning using Fennel Seeds
  7. Homemade Seasoning with Black Pepper
  8. Homemade Italian Seasoning With Parsley
  9. Za’atar
  10. Pizza Seasoning
  11. Herbes de la Garrigue
  12. Greek seasoning
  13. Creole seasoning

Homemade Italian seasoning

Italian seasoning is a blend of common herbs used in Italian cooking. If you find yourself out of this spice mix, or if you simply want to make your own, it’s very easy to do at home with just a few ingredients.

All you need is 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and basil, 2 teaspoons of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of sage, and half a teaspoon of rosemary. Simply mix these together and store them in an airtight container.

This seasoning blend is perfect for sprinkling on chicken or fish before baking, or for adding to tomato-based pasta sauces. It can also be used to give grilled vegetables a boost of flavor.

So next time you’re in a pinch, remember that you can easily make your own Italian seasoning at home!

Fennel Seeds Seasoning Mix as an Alternative to Store-Bought Italian Seasoning

Making your own Italian seasoning is a great way to save money and have control over the ingredients. This homemade version uses common spices that you may already have in your pantry, and it only takes a few minutes to make.

Simply combine 2 teaspoons of dried basil, 2 teaspoons of oregano, 2 teaspoons of thyme, and about 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds.

This blend is great on roasted vegetables, in soups and stews, or sprinkled over pizza before baking. Get creative and experiment with other spice combinations to find your perfect blend.

Homemade Seasoning with Black Pepper

There are plenty of homemade spice mixes you can make to substitute for Italian seasoning. Here’s another quick and easy mixture for a homemade Italian seasoning using black pepper.

Mix together 1 teaspoon each of black pepper, dried basil, and dried thyme. You can also add in 1/2 a teaspoon of dried oregano and a pinch of garlic powder.

This homemade mix is a great way to add flavor to your dishes without having to buy a pre-made blend. Plus, you can adjust the proportions of each ingredient to suit your personal taste.

To use this homemade Italian seasoning mix, simply sprinkle it over your food before cooking or serving. You can also add it to olive oil or vinegar to create a flavorful dressing or marinade.

Homemade Italian Seasoning With Parsley

There are many ways to make a delicious Italian seasoning blend at home with common herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, and thyme. This blend is perfect for sprinkling on pasta, rallying up some homemade pizza, or giving roasted vegetables an extra zing of flavor.

One way to make this blend is by using 2 tablespoons each of dried parsley, basil, and oregano. Add two tablespoons of thyme and one tablespoon of garlic powder.

Mix together and store in an airtight container.

Use this blend whenever a recipe calls for Italian seasoning. Another great way to use this blend is by roasting diced tomatoes with olive oil and the seasoning mix. Spread them on fresh toast for a delicious and easy bruschetta

Fresh herbs

If you’re out of Italian seasoning and need a quick substitute, the easiest thing to do is use fresh herbs. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor, so you’ll want to use 1 1/2 to 1 part fresh herbs for every 1 part dried herbs called for in the recipe.

Keep in mind that this substitution will work best in recipes that call for a small amount of Italian seasoning since the flavors of the individual herbs will be more pronounced.

Some recipes that would work well with this substitution include spaghetti with garlic and basil, chicken piccata with thyme and parsley, and roasted Brussels sprouts with oregano and rosemary.

If you have any of these herbs on hand, give them a try as a substitute for Italian seasoning. You might be surprised at how well they work!

Herbes de Provence

Herbes de Provence is a mixture of dried Provençal herbs that includes traditionally includes thyme, rosemary, savory, oregano, and marjoram. It can be used as a substitute for Italian seasoning in any recipe.

The blend of herbs imparts a subtle floral flavor that is perfect for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or pasta dishes. If you are looking for a more complex flavor, you can add Herbes de Provence to soups, stews, or sauces.

You can also use it to season bread crumbs or breading for fried foods. For a quick and easy way to add flavor to your meals, keep a jar of Herbes de Provence on hand.

Oregano and Dried Basil

Oregano and dried basil are two common substitutes for Italian seasoning.

Oregano is a flavorful herb that can be used in place of Italian seasoning in many recipes. While dried basil is not as strong in flavor, it can be used to add a touch of sweetness to dishes.

Both herbs are common ingredients in Italian cuisine and can be used to season a variety of dishes. Try using oregano and basil to make a simple pasta sauce or roast chicken.

When substituting oregano and basil for Italian seasoning, use a ratio of 3 parts of oregano & basil to 1 part of Italian seasoning. This will help to ensure that the desired flavor is achieved.

Dried basil, Thyme, and Oregano

Dried basil, thyme, and oregano are all great substitutes for Italian seasoning.

I prefer to use dried herbs since I find that the flavor of these spices is more intense when they’re used dry, so if a recipe calls for Italian seasoning, I’ll use a blend of these three spices instead.

Dried basil is especially good in tomato-based sauces and soups, while thyme and oregano are both great additions to roasted vegetables.

If you’re not sure how much of each herb to use, start with a teaspoon of dried basil and a quarter teaspoon each of thyme and oregano. You can always add more to taste.

Za’atar

Za’atar is a Mediterranean spice blend that can be used as a 1:1 substitution for Italian seasoning. Za’atar is traditionally made with thyme, oregano, marjoram, sesame seeds, and sumac, but there are many variations.

You can find Za’atar pre-mixed at most Middle Eastern markets, or you can make your own blend at home.

Za’atar has an earthy flavor with a hint of lemon and works well in both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some recipes that feature Za’atar:

Pizza Seasoning

Most people don’t know this, but you can actually substitute Pizza Seasoning for Italian seasoning in a 1:1 ratio. Pizza seasoning is a great all-purpose seasoning that can be used on anything from pizza to chicken parmesan.

It’s a blend of oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder. All of these spices are common in Italian cuisine, which is why pizza seasoning makes such a great substitute for Italian seasoning.

The next time you’re wondering what to use instead of Italian seasoning when making Italian food and don’t have any Italian seasoning on hand, try reaching for the Pizza Seasoning instead.

You might just be surprised at how well it works.

Herbes de la Garrigue

Herbes de la Garrigue is a blend of dried herbs that originates from the Mediterranean region of France. It’s also a suitable alternative to Herbs de Provence.

The most common herbs used in Herbes de la Garrigue are rosemary, thyme, oregano, and marjoram, but the exact blend of herbs can vary depending on the region or even the individual chef.

While Herbes de la Garrigue is not as widely known as Italian seasoning, it can be used in many of the same dishes to add flavor and depth. I personally love to use it when making chicken or fish roasted with vegetables.

Greek seasoning

Greek seasoning is a great substitute for 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. It has a similar flavor profile, with oregano, thyme, and basil being the predominant herbs.

Greek seasoning also often includes garlic and onion powder, as well as salt and pepper. This blend of spices can be used on all sorts of dishes, from pasta to chicken.

Greek seasoning is readily available in most supermarkets, or you can easily make your own at home. Simply mix together the spices that you have on hand and adjust the proportions to suit your taste.

With Greek seasoning in your pantry, you’ll be able to give your dishes a flavorful boost at any time.

Creole seasoning

Creole seasoning is also a great alternative to Italian seasoning. It is made with similar ingredients, which include oregano, thyme, black pepper, dried basil, granulated onions, garlic, and paprika. However, Creole seasoning also has a bit of a kick, thanks to the addition of cayenne pepper.

If you’re looking for an Italian seasoning substitute that will add a little bit of heat to your dish, Creole seasoning is a great option.

Just be sure to use it sparingly, as the cayenne pepper can quickly overpower other flavors.

Conclusion

There are many different spices and herbs that can be used in place of Italian seasoning. The best substitute for Italian seasoning will depend on the dish you’re making and your personal preferences.

So, the next time you’re in a pinch, reach for one of these substitutes and give your dish a flavor boost. With these alternatives on hand, you’ll always be able to give your food the perfect flavor.

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