What Are Some Good Substitutes For Rosemary? – Wonders In The Kitchen

About Rosemary and Rosemary Substitutes

Salvia rosmarinus, commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. Until 2017, it was known by the scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis, now a synonym.

It is a member of the sage family Lamiaceae, which includes many other medicinal and culinary herbs. The name “rosemary” derives from Latin ros marinus (“dew of the sea”). The plant is also sometimes called anthos, from the ancient Greek word ἄνθος, meaning “flower”. Rosemary has a fibrous root system.

Description

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with leaves similar to hemlock needles. It is native to the Mediterranean and Asia, but is reasonably hardy in cool climates. Special cultivars like ‘Arp’ can withstand winter temperatures down to about −20 °C. It can withstand droughts, surviving a severe lack of water for lengthy periods. In some parts of the world, it is considered a potentially invasive species. The seeds are often difficult to start, with a low germination rate and relatively slow growth, but the plant can live as long as 30 years. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall, rarely 2 m (6 ft 7 in). The leaves are evergreen, 2–4 cm (³⁄₄–1+¹⁄₂ in) long and 2–5 mm broad, green above, and white below, with dense, short, woolly hair.

The plant flowers in spring and summer in temperate climates, but the plants can be in constant bloom in warm climates; flowers are white, pink, purple or deep blue. Rosemary also has a tendency to flower outside its normal flowering season; it has been known to flower as late as early December, and as early as mid-February (in the northern hemisphere).

History

The first mention of rosemary is found on cuneiform stone tablets as early as 5000 BCE. After that not much is known, except that Egyptians used it in their burial rituals. There is no further mention of rosemary until the ancient Greeks and Romans. Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE) wrote about it in The Natural History, as did Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40 CE to c. 90 CE), a Greek botanist (amongst other things). He talked about rosemary in his most famous writing, De Materia Medica, one of the most influential herbal books in history.

The herb then made its way east to China and was naturalized there as early as 220 CE, during the late Han Dynasty.

Rosemary came to England at an unknown date; the Romans probably brought it when they invaded in the first century, but there are no viable records about rosemary arriving in Britain until the 8th century CE. This was credited to Charlemagne, who promoted herbs in general, and ordered rosemary to be grown in monastic gardens and farms.

There are also no records of rosemary being properly naturalized in Britain until 1338, when cuttings were sent by The Countess of Hainault, Jeanne of Valois (1294–1342) to Queen Phillippa (1311–1369), wife of Edward III. It included a letter that described the virtues of rosemary and other herbs that accompanied the gift. The original manuscript can be found in the British Museum. The gift was then planted in the garden of the old palace of Westminster. After this, rosemary is found in most English herbal texts, and is widely used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Hungary water, which dates to the 14th century, was one of the first alcohol-based perfumes in Europe, and was primarily made from distilled rosemary.

Rosemary finally arrived in the Americas with early European settlers in the beginning of the 17th century. It soon was spread to South America and global distribution.

Dishes are made delicious by using various herbs and spices, both dry and fresh, and rosemary is something that can be found in every kitchen and there is no person who cannot recognize this herb.

It is also the only herb that is used equally fresh and dried; its aroma is something that rosemary is most favored yet, the taste of this mouthwatering Green Herb is no less because it adds so much flavor to kitchens.

For those wondering what to substitute for rosemary, here’s the complete spice guide for rosemary: before that, let’s get to know the herb completely. (Rosemary Substitutes)

What is Rosemary?

Rosemary is an evergreen, perennial herb used as a spice all over the world. The name of this plant is derived from the Latin word “Ros Marinus” meaning “Sea Dew”. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Scientific name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Native Region: Mediterranean regions  

Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)

Plant name: Anthos

Root system: Fibrous 

How to identify Rosemary?

If you want to describe the rosemary spice, it has needle-like leaves. The plant also has flowers in white, pink, purple and blue tones that grow in the Mediterranean regions. However, the herb is found all over the world and is one of the most used spices in eastern, western and all other types of cuisine. (Rosemary Substitutes)

What Does Rosemary Taste Like?

Rosemary is a flavor-rich herb or spice used both dried and fresh, and it differs a bit either way. However, if we talk about the full taste of rosemary leaf or rosemary spring, it has an ambient aroma like lemon-pine. Not only that, it also has a peppery and woody flavor that makes rosemary springs extremely tender for barbecue.

Rosemary is loved for its tea-like aroma, which when dried is more reminiscent of charred wood. But the taste of dried rosemary is also no less than fresh rosemary. In simple words, the flavor of rosemary is very diverse and loved by chefs and eaters for its scent and aroma. (Rosemary Substitutes)

What Is A Substitute For Rosemary?

Rosemary Substitute is a fresh or dried herb or spice used as an alternative to the latter. These replacements are mostly used when rosemary isn’t in the kitchen or when the chef is in the mood to do some experimentation.

Do you know

Spice substitutes are used by culinary witches in witchcraft to make formulas and recipes while performing magic in the kitchen. A kitchen witch is someone who falls in love with family and does things to ward off evil spirits. Their cuisine is their temple. Anyone can become a kitchen witch to bring flavors of happiness to the home. The best part is, anyone can become a kitchen witch with simple formulas.

Apart from rosemary, everything that is equivalent in taste and properties to rosemary can be called a great alternative for use. Herbs such as thyme, savory, tarragon, bay leaf, and marjoram can be excellent substitutes for rosemary.

Do you know

Rosemary has the highest level of therapeutic and medicinal benefits and makes food not only delicious but also healthy.

In the next line, we’ll discuss a good list of substitutes for rosemary, as well as a list of recipe substitutes with which it can be easily matched. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Thyme – Substitute Thyme For Dried Rosemary:

Thyme is an excellent herb belonging to the same family as rosemary, namely mint. Therefore, both herbs can be used interchangeably, for example rosemary instead of thyme, and thyme as an alternative to rosemary, especially in dried form. (Rosemary Substitutes)

What makes thyme the best rosemary sub?

Well, it belongs to the mint family, sour lemon taste and aroma of eucalyptus; All these three things make thyme an excellent substitute for rosemary. Thyme can be identified by its fragrance and its flowers, which come in various shades such as white, pink, lilac.

Second, its easy availability is what makes it the best sub for spices. You can get it from herbal stores and markets without any problems. Moreover, the price of the plant is not very high. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Recipe Substitute:

Thyme can be a super tasty and richly flavored alternative to dishes like rosemary:

• beef steak
• Fish
• vegetables

Quantity Of Thyme To Substitute Rosemary:

Thyme can be added as an alternative to all recipes using dried rosemary. However, there is no hard and fast rule for quantity so no need to go to the magician here, add thyme to your taste for the perfect recipe. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Dried – Substitute Dried Rosemary For Fresh:

Dried rosemary can be a great alternative to fresh rosemary if you don’t have it in your kitchen. Fresh rosemary is available in the form of leaves that are pure green in texture and are needle-shaped. If these leaves are kept in the open air for too long, they are dried and can still be used with their aromatic taste and richness of flavor. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Fresh Rosemary VS Dried:

Before substituting fresh rosemary for dried rosemary, you should know the sharp taste differences between the two. Fresh rosemary is more pungent than dry and is used three times less. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Quantity:

If a recipe calls for a teaspoon of fresh rosemary leaves, be sure to add a tablespoon of dried herbs instead because,

1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons

Also, when substituting Dried Rosemary for Fresh Rosemary, add the herb at the end of your cooking session for better taste. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Recipe Substitute:

You can use dried rosemary in all rosemary seasoning recipes depending on the quantity, for example, use one teaspoon of dried rosemary instead of one teaspoon of dried rosemary. (Rosemary Substitutes)

• Lamb
• Steak
• Fish
• Turkey
• Pork
• Chicken
• Potato
• essential oils

Tarragon:

Tarragon is one of the most demanded herbs of French and Italian cuisines. However, have you ever wondered what can I substitute for tarragon or what herb can be a good substitute for tarragon, the answer is simple, Rosemary. (Rosemary Substitutes)

What makes tarragon the best replacement for rosemary?

The benefits of tarragon are numerous and therefore can be an excellent and wonderful alternative to herbs such as rosemary, thyme and chervil. Tarragon is also a perennial, which means you can find it year-round. Abundant in North America. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Quantity:

The flavor of tarragon is strong and assertive, but its aroma can be almost identical to that of dried rosemary. Therefore, when it comes to dried rosemary substitutes, the tarragon alternative to rosemary can be used in equal amounts. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Recipe Substitute:

Tarragon is not that famous; however, tarragon plays a very tasty and delicious roll for tangy taste recipes, for example, when making vinegars and sauces. (Rosemary Substitutes)

• soups
• stews
• Cheese
• sauces

Savory:

Salty is another herb with extremely varied flavors for different seasons, called summer scented and winter scented. Both types of savory seasonings are available and used for different types of dishes and cuisines. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Savory spice replacement for rosemary:

Both summer and winter fragrant spices differ in taste, and summer salts are considered to be closest to the taste of rosemary. Satureja Hortensis is the plant name used for the savory summer spice. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Quantity:

For dried rosemary, the amount may be the same because the herb has a less bitter taste when it is from the summer herb. On the other hand, if you want a Salty spice substitute, substitute fresh rosemary, be sure to increase the amount; however, it is not recommended. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Recipe Substitute:

Salt and rosemary are used together in some cuisines for better taste. Salty substitutes are used to make pork in areas around Canada. When used as a substitute for rosemary, it comes best for dishes like the one below. (Rosemary Substitutes)

• Turkey
• chickens
• Chicken
• Do you know

The savory spice is widely used in herbal medicine for its therapeutic benefits, especially in toothpaste and medicines to treat diarrhea. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Caraway Seed:

Caraway is a biennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, known as meridian fennel or Persian cumin. The plant is native to Asia, Europe, and Africa. The plant is not used as a whole, but its seeds work as a seasoning ingredient, playing a flavorful role in many dishes. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Caraway seed replacement for rosemary:

Caraway seeds are replaced by rosemary because of its rich aroma, which lasts for a long time and makes dishes tasty and fragrant. Cumin seeds are used in traditional cuisines of traditional English families. Its use in cake making is something you can feel the full taste of these rosemary substitute seeds. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Quantity:

Because the flavor of Caraway seeds is less intense than rosemary, you should add a significant amount to your dishes when replacing cumin seeds. But here you will have to deal with the extra fragrant aroma. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Recipe Substitute:

Caraway seeds are swapped for rosemary when it comes to making a variety of dishes such as:

• salads
• stacking
• Fishes

The power of seeds is scattered everywhere. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Sage:

Commonly known as sage, and officially Salvia officinalis, it is an evergreen subshrub from the mint family, Lamiaceae. You can find it in abundance and quite easily in the Mediterranean regions but other parts of the earth as well. (Rosemary Substitutes)

Rosemary Substitute Sage:

Sage is not the best substitute for rosemary; however, it can somehow play an alternative role due to its aromatic texture. Sage has a vibrant aroma that looks great for breakfast and dinner.

Quantity:

When it comes to volume, you can use any according to your resemblance to the aroma of the herb. Once again, keep in mind that Sage Substitute doesn’t have the same flavor as rosemary.

Recipe Substitute:

Dishes that are already spicy and flavorful can replace sage rosemary. For example, sage can be a good alternative for:

• Meat
• Eggs
• breakfast dishes

Bay leaf:

Bay leaf is another spice used for its aromatic texture in a wide variety of cuisines and dishes. Its leaves are rich in flavor and used in savory foodstuffs; However, when the food is ready, these leaves are separated from the recipe and thrown away. These are not used for food. The texture of the leaf is dry.

Bay leaf alternative for rosemary:

Bay leaves have the same texture; however, flavors vary by region. These are widely available in Asia and are used to enhance dishes such as rice and meat to enhance flavor. People use it dry and green as powder or whole.

Quantity:

One bay leaf alternative is enough to add the rosemary flavor to the kitchens.

Recipe Substitute:

Bay leaves can be an excellent rosemary alternative for lamb.

Marjoram:

Majoram belongs to the Origanum family found in colder regions; however, it differs in flavor from other plants belonging to the same family. If you want to know the taste of marjoram, compare it with thyme. Thyme is just like marjoram, and since thyme is an excellent alternative to rosemary, so is marjoram.

Marjoram alternative for rosemary:

The best thing about using marjoram instead of rosemary is the health benefits of this herb. This herb is rich in sodium and good cholesterol. It is also very rich in nutrients, but the taste is very delicious. Therefore, it is used as a substitute for rosemary to enhance the healthiness of dishes.

Quantity:

The amount of marjoram can be kept equal to the amount of rosemary because a marjoram alternative to rosemary is considered excellent.

Recipe Substitute:

Marjoram is the best alternative for dishes such as:

• soups
• stews

Do you know

Marjoram is the best herb to use for skin care because of its ability to fight with acne, wrinkles, and other skin issues that are caused due to aging.

Bottom line:

That’s it for rosemary substitutes and alternatives you can use in different recipes. Do you know any rosemary alternatives by now? Share with us as we love to hear from you. Also, check other blogs if you want to have the best stuff in your kitchen.