What to Use When You Don't Have Oregano

Oregano is a popular herb, available both dried and fresh, that appears in countless dishes. It's likely your recipe calls for it, whether it's a pizza, pasta sauce, Greek chicken, or kebabs. But if you find yourself without it, don’t worry—there are several tasty substitutes that can fill in and still deliver great flavor.

What Does Oregano Taste Like and How Is It Used?

If you're unsure of what oregano tastes like, recall the flavors of pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, or Greek salad. Oregano is a key ingredient in all these dishes, bringing a bold, aromatic flavor. It's a little bitter and medicinal with a hint of licorice and a subtly sweet finish, making it a distinct and essential herb.

How to Swap Fresh and Dried Oregano

Fresh oregano has tender leaves that can wilt quickly. If your fresh oregano is starting to lose its freshness or you're out of it entirely, dried oregano makes an easy substitute. Use one teaspoon of dried oregano for every tablespoon of fresh oregano. This substitution works best for cooked dishes, as dried oregano doesn’t hold up as well in raw preparations like Greek salads or sauces like chimichurri, where fresh oregano shines.

If you're in a pinch and only have fresh oregano, you can reverse the swap—use one tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano for every teaspoon of dried oregano required by your recipe.

Get the recipe: Cioppino

Top Oregano Substitutes

Marjoram

Fresh marjoram is a fantastic replacement when a recipe calls for fresh oregano to remain uncooked; it has a similar flavor but with a gentler bite. Marjoram works as a substitute for all varieties of oregano, including the milder Mexican oregano. Like oregano, marjoram pairs beautifully with lamb and is commonly used in sausage blends and herb mixes for braised dishes like pot roast.

Tarragon

Tarragon and oregano both have a subtle licorice-like flavor, making tarragon an easy swap. However, tarragon has a more pronounced anise taste, so use about ⅔ of the amount of fresh tarragon as you would fresh oregano. This works especially well for dishes that require fresh oregano in its raw form, such as salads, dressings, or as a garnish on Greek lemon chicken and potatoes.

Dried tarragon can also serve as a substitute for dried oregano; simply use them in equal amounts.

Italian Seasoning

Oregano is a key ingredient in Italian seasoning, often paired with basil. If you're out of dried oregano and need a blend that can handle a dash of basil—or if your recipe, like pizza sauce, already calls for other Italian seasoning ingredients—this is your perfect substitute. Use the same amount of Italian seasoning as you would dried oregano, as it's a ready-made mix of herbs.

Thyme

Thyme and oregano share similar flavor profiles and are often used together in Middle Eastern dishes, especially with meats like roasted lamb or gyros. Unlike oregano, thyme is typically cooked, as it has a stronger, woodier flavor like rosemary. Fresh thyme makes an excellent substitute for fresh oregano in cooked dishes, but may be too bold if used raw.