When you think Italian Seasoning, you obviously think Italian food!
Well, surprisingly, we don’t need Italian Seasoning for authentic Italian dishes, though they make any dish amazing. It goes exceptionally well when creating Americanized versions of your favorite Italian food.
This Seasoning is also very versatile, and you can use it in other savory dishes from different kinds of cuisines. But what if you run out of this all-purpose blend when you need it the most?
Don’t worry; we’ve got your back!
You can use a variety of spices to get a similar flavor profile. For example, you could try using 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, and thyme. If you want to add a bit of heat, you could also try 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
Want more??? Read on as we show you the best Italian Seasoning substitutes.
What’s Italian seasoning made of?
Italian Seasoning is a well-known spice blend we find in many dishes for those unfamiliar with this ingredient.
While the ingredients vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, it mainly consists of common Italian herbs, including basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram.
Some brands also include sage, bay leaves, chili flakes, salt, and the like!
It’s easy to find in grocery stores, though sometimes they sell out, or you forget to stock up at home. However, you can make your own or use a similar Italian seasoning substitute; it’s pretty easy.
The Best Substitutes For Italian Seasoning
Without further ado, here are the best Italian seasoning substitutes you can try when you’re in a pinch!
1. Basil, Oregano, and/or Thyme with Red Pepper Flakes
One of the best and easiest substitutes for Italian Seasoning is a combination of dried basil and oregano.
Basil has sweet and savory flavors with some traces of pepper and mint. Oregano has a sharper and slightly bitter taste. Mix equal parts of these two herbs and use them as your Italian seasoning substitute.
Alternatively, you can mix dried basil, thyme, and oregano. Thyme will add more of a sharp minty and sweet, peppery flavor with traces of a floral taste.
Mix the following ingredients to use for every two teaspoons of Italian seasonings needed:
- One teaspoon of dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon of dried basil
- ½ teaspoon of dried thyme
You can also add an additional ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for more flavor and heat to your Seasoning.
2. Other Italian Blends
There are two other popular Italian blends you can buy from grocery stores to use instead of Italian seasoning. While they are a bit more niche, they have the same ingredients as traditional blends, making them an excellent substitute for Italian Seasoning.
Herbes De Provence is a seasoning made from oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, and marjoram. Sometimes, there are lavender flowers in it, too.
Because it’s made from similar herbs Italian Seasoning is made of, it makes an excellent Italian seasoning substitute.
We highly recommend this herb mixture when preparing light dishes like grilled fish, roasted vegetables, roast chicken, or lamb, along with salad dressings, using a 1:1 ratio.
Herbs De Provence has a unique taste than Italian Seasoning because of its floral notes. Add half the amount needed first and put in more until you reach your desired flavor.
You can also try using Herbes De La Garrigue, which has the same ingredients as the Italian seasoning mix. However, it also includes bay leaves and dried mint, which adds a bit of a non-spicy kick. We love using this on pasta dishes!
3. Creole Seasoning
Creole Seasoning consists of basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and white pepper. This adds a lot of heat to a dish, so it’s unsuitable for those who don’t like spicy food!
We recommend using creole seasoning as an Italian seasoning substitute for rice, soups, stews, salads, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimps, and even burgers!
We love the little kick it gives to any dish, and it has the same major components Italian Seasoning does.
4. Greek Seasoning
Greek Seasoning is made of oregano, parsley, marjoram, thyme, online, and garlic. Some brands would add other herbs and spices like basil, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
Because of its components, you can use this to replace Italian seasoning.
Greek Seasoning would have a savory flavor with minty, peppery flavor notes. It’s suitable for chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, cooked vegetable dishes, and salads.
You can also use this as a dressing mixed with lemon, vinegar, and olive oil.
We like using Greek Seasoning with Greek yogurt and lemon, making an excellent dip for raw vegetables.
5. Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are an easy substitution to Italian Seasoning, which is a mixture of dried herbs. However, it’s only easy when you have such herbs and spices on hand! (*)
Dried herbs have more concentrated flavors compared to fresh herbs, so use 1.5 times more than what the recipe requires.
We recommend adding fresh herbs towards the end of your cooking process to give your dish more distinct flavors.
We suggest using common herb plants like oregano, thyme, basil, sage, mint, and lavender as an Italian seasoning substitute.
6. Make Your Own Italian Seasoning
Yes, you can make your own spice blends, including Italian Seasoning! Here are the ingredients:
- One tablespoon of dried oregano
- One tablespoon of dried marjoram
- One tablespoon of dried basil
- One tablespoon of dried thyme
- One tablespoon of dried rosemary
- 1 ½ tablespoon of fennel seed
- 1 ½ tablespoon of garlic powder
Simply measure all your spices and add them to a small bowl. If there are tough stems, rub the spices between your fingers to break them up.
Afterward, stir all the ingredients well until combined and place them in an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature, and it will last for up to three months!
You can change up your homemade Italian Seasoning based on your preferences and what you have in the kitchen. We would sometimes add black pepper, chili flakes, or sage to our Italian Seasoning, too!
As long as you have the basic Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and marjoram), then it makes a suitable Italian seasoning replacement.
What are the best ways to use Italian Seasoning
Here are some ideas on how you can use Italian Seasoning:
- Add it to your frittata or scrambled egg
- Sprinkle it over any chicken dish
- Use it as a marinade or meat rub
- Sprinkle the Seasoning over simple pasta dishes that consist of butter or olive oil
- Use it on meatballs
- Add it to your pasta sauce
- Sprinkle it over salads or pizzas
- Bread stuffing with the Seasoning
- Add it to soups or stews
- Season lasagna or eggplant Parmesan
It’s that versatile, and you can use it for more than just Italian cuisine!
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve got more in store for you! Learn more about Italian Seasoning with these frequently asked questions our readers pondered about:
Wrapping It Up
We hope you found the most suitable Italian seasoning substitutes from our list!
Do share your tips and experiences on replacing Italian Seasoning and how any of these alternatives worked for you.
Happy cooking!
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