17 Excellent Rosemary Substitutes for Bread

Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb that is widely used in a variety of meat preparations. It works well with grilled meats and has been used for chicken, beef, lamb, and hog, among other things.

Rosemary, on the other hand, is not just used on meats but may also be used to make bread. It is well-known for adding taste to a nutritious diet. The dilemma is, what do you replace it with when you run out in the kitchen? Here are some more options.

1. Thyme
2. Dill
3. Caraway
4. Mint
5. Sage
6. Marjoram
7. Bay Leaf
8. Oregano
9. Tarragon

Rosemary is renowned for its ability to lower blood pressure and prevent memory loss. If you have a problem with your appetite, it may help.

If you are still unable to locate the aforementioned alternatives, continue reading as we provide a thorough list of Rosemary Substitutes below.

17 Best Substitute For Rosemary In Bread

As an aromatic leaf, rosemary is classified as a herb rather than a spice. Spices have stronger tastes due to crushed leaves. However, rosemary has a particular flavor that complements a wide range of meals.

The herb’s taste is rich, combining lemony, minty, earthy, and woody notes. It has a pungent perfume that may be very powerful. So you want replacements that have the same strong odor and scent.

Rosemary is also a great herb to add on bread. It has a lovely, unique flavor that doesn’t overshadow the bread. To add flavor, you may use the leaves or a little amount of dried rosemary.

The finest alternatives are basil, marjoram, spice rack, and thyme, although the flavor may vary from that of rosemary.

However, if you are intrigued and want to experiment with alternative bread replacements, try the following.

Thyme

Rosemary and thyme seem to be complementary herbs. However, thyme may be used in instead of rosemary in bread goods.

They have the appearance of small green leaves that develop in bunches. Their variants do not seem to be very diverse from one another. So paying careful attention might be beneficial. The herb’s scent is robust, powerful, yet sweet and aromatic.

It is somewhat bitter, but by adding it early on, you may avoid dominating your bread.

Because they have similar tastes and looks, the two plants may be used interchangeably. Another reason you might use thyme as a replacement is that it is widely available in supermarkets.

Dill

Dill is another herb that may be used in place of rosemary in bread. It may be identified by its white or yellow blossoms. It appears like a two-foot-long thin, wiry green leaf from a little plant.

You can season not just the foliage but also the seeds. Dill seeds are dark and oval-shaped with ridges.

It has a rich taste that may be sweet and delicate, as well as lemony and acidic. It has a somewhat bitter flavor, similar to thyme. If you like greater heat, use the seeds instead of the sweet leaves.

However, unlike thyme, the tastes of dill may not be as powerful after dried.

Caraway

This slender green herb grows to be two feet tall. The wiry plant bears caraway seeds, which are brown seeds with crescent-shaped ridges. Surprisingly, the seeds are more important in the cooking than the roots or leaves.

Caraway seeds may be used to give your bread a peppery, anise-like, and lemony flavor. They may also be harsh and earthy in flavor. To maintain the taste, add it at the end of the baking process.

Caraway’s flavor is unique, but not as strong as rosemary’s. It does give a strong and long-lasting perfume that will make your kitchen smell wonderful. Although it is not a popular herb, it may be used in baking.

A teaspoon of caraway should enough, albeit, as previously said, it is not as potent as rosemary.

Mint

Mint is a popular flavor because it is used in a variety of products, including candy, gum, and other sweets. It may also be used in instead of rosemary in bread.

This small plant packs a punch. It spreads swiftly and has serrated borders that mix in with its fuzzy appearance. Its leaves may be seen growing by runners, and the plant has pink and white blooms.

Mint is well-known for its refreshing aftertaste. It also comes in spearmint and peppermint flavors. Its fresh taste is sweet, but it may also be toasty and fragrant.

Sage

Because rosemary is a Mediterranean herb, why not try another one? Sage is a perennial plant that is also related to mint. As a result, it makes sense to view it as an alternative.

It is often a wonderful replacement for meat recipes. It may also be used medicinally to improve alertness, memory, attention, and general cognitive function.

However, the herb is similar enough to work in bread making.

Marjoram

Why can’t a similar-flavored herb serve as a replacement for thyme? Marjoram is a perennial plant that grows in cold climates.

The herb has a mild taste similar to thyme, making it an excellent addition to soups, stews, and other liquid-based recipes.

The plant is also said to be healthful since it helps with skincare, such as decreasing acne and wrinkles. It is also low in cholesterol and salt. Fortunately, it may also be used in place of rosemary in bread.

Bay Leaf

The name of this leaf alone helps me remember its intense aroma. It is often used in a variety of Mediterranean dishes. Before cooking, the leaves are exposed to the sun.

This helps to remove some of the bitterness. Heat, on the other hand, intensifies the fragrance.

It has a similar flavor to rosemary, making it a suitable replacement. Again, it is often used in meat preparations, but it may also be used on bread.

Oregano

Oregano is well-known for its pungent flavor. As a result, don’t use too much of it. Even in other meals, a generous dusting might dominate any other flavor you wish to stand out.

Oregano is very potent in all of its forms and should be used sparingly. It also dries quickly, making dried versions considerably more powerful.

Tarragon

The taste of this leafy green plant is intense. You are correct if you claim you tasted anise in it. Tarragon is also flavored with licorice.

If you’re going to use tarragon to replace rosemary, use it in smaller quantities. Of course, your purpose is everything. Do you want to fully replace the taste profile or rosemary?

If you want to keep it as similar to the original as possible, reduce the piece in half. So, if you require one tablespoon of rosemary, use half a tablespoon of tarragon.

Savory

Because it has a similar taste to rosemary, you may use fresh or dried savory. Because the flavors are so close, you may replace rosemary with savory in a 1:1 ratio.

If you’re missing rosemary, you could also be missing savory since it’s not as frequent. However, if your pantry is usually stocked with a variety of herbs, you may be able to unearth some leftover savory hidden behind the scenes.

Dried Savory. Marjoram or Tarragon

Dried herbs have been dried and often crushed, concentrating their taste and making them more effective than fresh herbs.[Source]

Dried parts of savory marjoram or tarragon might be used in place of rosemary. Even though it is the same plant, the dried variant is more concentrated in terms of substitution ratio.

As a result, you may need to use less of it. For example, instead of 1 tbsp of the dried type, you may need to use 1 tbsp. It’s nothing major, but you may need to work around it.

Check the fragrance of the dried herb for freshness.

Italian Seasoning

You may not consider Italian seasoning to be a good substitute for rosemary. After all, it is made up of various herbs and spices rather than just one. It has the ability to provide a strong and complex taste.

Because there is so much going on in the flavor, you may want to start with a 2:1 ratio. What does it imply? It means you just need half a teaspoon of Italian seasoning for every teaspoon of rosemary.

You should also examine your own preferences. As a result, you may add or delete as needed.

Italian Parsley & Marjoram

Another viable substitution for rosemary is Italian parsley. They are more flavorful and have flat leaves than typical parsley, which has curled leaves.

They complement marjorma wonderfully, but you should only use this combination at the conclusion of the baking process for the best flavor.

Basil

Basil is one of the healthiest herbs because it may block calcium channels, which may help decrease blood pressure and cholesterol.

Basil is a fantastic addition to any baking recipe. It has a strong savory flavor as well as a sweet taste. It may be used in place of fresh rosemary in a 1:1 ratio.

Chives or Garlic Chives

Garlic with chives Chives are winter plants that regrow blossoms in the spring. If you have a garden, you may be able to cultivate them at home.

Simply snip the leaves finely into your bread or muffin mix as a replacement for rosemary, using sharp kitchen scissors.[Source]

Rosemary Substitute Related FAQs 

Why do you need substitutes for rosemary?

You have run out of rosemary

The most apparent reason for using rosemary instead of thyme is because you are out of the herb. It occurs.

However, rosemary is rather common, and you should be able to get it at any grocery until they run out. Some of the alternatives suggested above are even uncommon than rosemary. They may have been left behind in the kitchen, though, since most bread recipes do not call for them as often.

You want to experiment with flavor profiles

Are you an aspiring baker? Then you may wish to experiment with various plants. You don’t want to be trapped with a single recipe for the rest of your life. So, if the recipe asks for rosemary, you may want to experiment with thyme and basil, for example.

Because some individuals have been brave enough to try other herbs in place of rosemary, you have been provided a list of suitable substitutions.

You don’t like rosemary

It’s conceivable you dislike rosemary. It’s OK for other foods, but not for bread. As a result, you may experiment with tastes that are more appealing to your palate.

Are rosemary and thyme the same thing?

They often appear together. It’s usual for someone to speak rosemary and thyme in the same sentence.

The two, on the other hand, are distinct yet related. They are both members of the mint family. These herbs may both be dried and pulverized. Both are available in spice aisles, while rosemary has a more powerful, bitter taste.

Can I substitute basil for rosemary?

As previously stated, basil may be used in place of rosemary. It does have a sweet flavor that complements the pungent flavor of rosemary. It should be an acceptable substitute for baking.

Can I use Italian seasoning instead of rosemary?

It may seem strange, but you may use Italian seasoning for rosemary. It is a blend of several herbs and spices. However, it would be beneficial if you just used half of it for every quantity of rosemary.

What about a dried rosemary substitute?

There is no difficulty substituting dried rosemary with fresh rosemary. You may also add dried herbs like savory, marjoram, or tarragon.

What is the best substitute for rosemary?

Thyme is undoubtedly the greatest rosemary alternative. It is at the top of most lists of rosemary substitutes. Even though thyme is milder, the two are sometimes confused because to their similar taste characteristics.

Others, of course, will argue that any herb from the mint family may be used in place of rosemary for making bread.