You can also use any Italian seasoning that youve got in your cupboard, too. On the other hand, I start by adding the exact amount of Mexican oregano (1:1 ratio) to a recipe requiring the common (Greek) oregano and then just add more as and when needed. Cilantro brings a bright, grassy flavor accompanied by lemony notes. A key ingredient of pesto is basil. That's a total of three teaspoons of the fresh variety of marjoram. That's a total of three teaspoons of the fresh variety of marjoram. You can use either one (and you can choose fresh over dried if you want). Mexican oregano is known by several names. We seared, fried, and baked our way through a whole range of cast-iron pans to find the best one on the market. This fascinating white fibrous bulb is another great substitute for oregano. Since this oregano has a strong peppery flavor, I combine the marjoram with another popular herb: fresh or dried basil. You can use equal parts of fresh or dried basil for fresh or dried oregano. Basil will get your marjoram much closer to Mexican oreganos flavor. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Mexican oregano is a herb thats long been used in Mexican cuisine. If youve got plenty of these in your kitchen try adding them instead of oregano to your dishes. For Greek or Mediterranean oregano try basil, parsley or tarragon. She likes how sharing a tiny bit of her life and her journey can help others in return. Our 60+ Perfect Grilling Recipes for Summer, 30+ Easy Finger Food Recipes to Feed a Crowd, Best Arrowroot Powder Substitutes: The Ultimate Guide. Why not explore this incredible resource of flavor in your kitchen today? Some also call it oregano, so many beginner cooks mistakenly use Mediterranean oregano when the recipe calls for Mexican oregano. It actually wasnt a herb that was often used over here in America until soldiers returning from World War II made it a popular choice on pizza. It does not store any personal data. Here are my tried and tested substitutes for Mexican oregano that you should also try: Adding the strong herby and citrusy flavor Mexican oregano brings to your dish, sauce, and marinade won't be a problem when you have lemon verbena. Learn about the history, flavor, benefits, and uses of herbs, spices, seasonings, and other cooking ingredients. If you dont have any fresh oregano on hand, sprinkle some dried Mexican oregano over your dish for an extra kick! The aromatic herb oregano, which is native to Europe and parts of Asia, is a popular herb. Remember that fresh basil is more potent, and its best added towards the end of the cooking process. One could also recognize the profile of rosemary in Mexican oregano. Dill 11. What is comparable to Mexican oregano? Minty and Italian-Mediterranean flavors make up the flavor profile of Oregano, an Italian spice. Some chefs prefer to supplement Greek oregano with other herbs like cloves for a better flavor profile. Simmer until the extra liquid evaporates or absorbs into the meat. I'm an experienced food writer and passionate cook. It originates from Mediterranean countries such as Greece, where the literal translation of its Latin name Origanum vulgare means joy of the mountains. This warm, slightly bitter herb can be used dried or fresh and offers a unique flavor that pairs especially well with zesty dishes. Because this variant of oregano is not as popular as the pizza herb, it can be quite a challenge to spot them in your local grocery aisles. It's used in many Mexican dishes, such as enchiladas, tacos, and guacamole, making it an excellent oregano substitute. Oregano used in Mexican cuisine differs from oregano used in Cuban cuisine. Chili peppers and cumin are among the spices used in conjunction with it. I am a foodie and I love to cook. It also makes a great substitute for tarragon. If you are planning to make a recipe that requires this seasoning, avoid alternatives if you can. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea. Youll need to plant it yearly because its not a perennial. ", Italian seasoning is your best bet! 35+ Fun Dinner Ideas For Kids (+ Recipes), Reheating Fast Food: Our Definitive Guide, Our 25+ BEST Simple & Tasty Cold Appetizers, worry this comprehensive list of oregano substitutes, substitutes for oregano to help you get back to cooking, Tarragon would also make a good substitute, Mediterranean herb that tends to be used for bean recipes, work very well together and make a fantastic substitute, Try using these herbs together for the ultimate oregano substitution, Griddle Grill Combo: Top Picks and Buying Guide 2023, Dessert Quesadilla Recipe: A Sweet Twist on a Classic Favorite, Breakfast Quesadilla Recipe: Quick and Delicious Morning Meal, Classic Cheese Quesadilla Recipe: Simple Steps for a Tasty Snack, Best Quesadilla Recipes: Top 10 Mouthwatering Options. And that's a mistake I don't want you to make because the flavor profile is a bit different, and the herb belongs to another plant family. Marjoram is a better substitute for Mexican oregano than even Greek oregano is because the flavor profile is more similar. Learn All About Its Uses and Its Substitutes. So you can say that this Mexican herb is not really a true oregano. Substitute ratio: 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano = 2 teaspoon oregano. Soon, you're scanning your grocery store's aisles for the elusive herb. Both have herby and earthy flavors though, enough that you can use it for any dish that asks for Mexican oregano. There are many different types of tarragon available, however, the variety used for cooking tends to be French tarragon. This particular herb is actually from a different botanical family and as the name suggests, it originated from Mexico, not the Mediterranean. Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. That said, you can always crush the bay leaf and add an amount similar to the amount of oregano the recipe requires if you don't mind the stronger taste of bay leaves. Despite sharing the name "oregano" with the Mediterranean variety, it is an entirely different species. All these three will help bring out the flavors of chili ingredients without making it too overpowering. Prior to the development of different varieties of oregano, the herb was originally Greek. Summer savory tends to be less bitter than its counterpart, winter savory. Dill is a fascinating herb that has become synonymous with seafood dishes. In terms of appearance, the two are very different, with the one being 80 grit and the other being 200. Trust us, youll notice the improvement in taste immediately! Not to worry this comprehensive list of oregano substitutes will give you more than enough alternatives to get cooking those tempting dishes. Much like its lesser-known sibling, cilantro, parsley can be a great alternative to oregano when you're looking to spice up a dish. Although it doesnt quite have the same aroma as Mexican oregano (it smells more like parsley), it can be used successfully as a substitute. Not only can you use the plant to add flavor to your dishes you can use the dill weed seeds to give it a bit of spice. You can add it to soups and stews, meat rubs, marinades, salad dressings and guacamole. It has a licorice taste to it. It tends to be used for lots of different savory dishes, particularly in stuffing around holiday occasions. It's even considered to be more potent in flavor than oregano! But have in mind that this only works in Mediterranean cuisine. . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Simply add a couple tablespoons of chili powder and cumin, a pinch of salt and . 10 Best Black Vinegar Substitutes for Cooking. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Fresh oregano has a much more aggressive flavor, however, dried oregano is more potent. Lemon verbena is also sweeter than all of them. By using parsley you'll add a bit more bitterness to your meal but you can compensate for that by adding honey or sugar. So there you have it! Emily's vision for Cookindocs.com is to create a community of food lovers who are passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing their experiences with others. Mint flavor is stronger than that of this tea, which is similar in flavor. Parsley is another fantastic Mediterranean vegetable that has made its way onto our culinary palate. Here are some great substitutes for this beloved spice: Mexican oregano is a type of wild marjoram that grows in Mexico and Central America. Substitute 3/4 teaspoon of fresh or dried oregano with 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried marjoram. Simply add a couple tablespoons of chili powder and cumin, a pinch of salt and pepper, then mix with the oregano. If you are new to about this intriguing taste, it is completely understandable. Required fields are marked *. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. It can take a few experimentations before you can end up with good ones, so I will share with you the combinations I use. These options are sure to be a hit. Marjoram is often employed in Latin American cuisine, particularly in dishes like tamales or in homemade sauces. Thus, that's a total of three teaspoons of the fresh variety of marjoram. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. Sonoran oregano thrives in abundance along rocky slopes along the Edwards Plateaus southwestern edge and south of Mexico to Durango. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Whats really great about this list of oregano substitutions is that no matter why youve had to swap it for something else, these great-tasting alternatives will give you everything you need to bring a tasty edge to your cooking. In addition to being added directly to food, this herb can also be rubbed on meat before cooking or used as an ingredient in salsas, sauces, rubs and marinades. Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Youll find it adds complexity to soups, stews, tomato sauces, grilled meats, breads, crackers and more. In conclusion, if youre unable to find Mexican oregano near you, there are several alternatives that can be used as effective substitutes. Substituted with: 1 teaspoon of basil and 1 teaspoon of marjoram, Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, chicken dishes, pork dishes, beef dishes. Oregano is a flavorful herb that can really make a dish shine. Lemon verbena or lemon beebrush has the same citrus flavors that Mexican oregano has. Its easy to grow and can be used in different ways. We use cookies to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. If you are unable to obtain the herb, substitutes for Mexican Oregano may be available. 6. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The leaves from the herb closely resemble the fresh oregano in terms of flavor and aroma, but it tends to lose some of it when the dried variety is stored for a long time. In fact, if youre trying to avoid oregano because of an allergy, then thyme is the perfect substitute. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Privacy Policy. Tarragon is the go-to herb of choice for chicken dishes. Mexican Oregano has a unique flavor that sets it apart from its Mediterranean cousin, and while it may be harder to get your hands on in some places there are several great substitutes that can provide an equally enticing flavor. Best for Mediterranean dishes with beef, beans, tomatoes, and/or potatoes as main ingredients, salad dressings, and bread. Thats because oregano is one of the herbs thats included in the mixture! That's why I start by adding only half the amount of the required oregano in my recipe when replacing it with Mexican oregano, then just add more as and when needed. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Even better than that you now know which will be the best substitute ingredient for oregano based entirely on the dish that you need it for! Tarragon has a fascinating flavor that can take the place of oregano in some recipes. Basil has a particularly Italian vibe, similar to oregano. You don't want to serve an overly seasoned dish, right? The taste of Mexican oregano is unique, making it an herb that is gaining popularity. Ratio-wise, use the same amount as how much your recipe calls for oregano. This type of food is important in both Italian and Greek cuisine, but it can also be used in a variety of other dishes in the kitchen. Substituted with: 2 teaspoons of tarragon, Best used for: Tomato-based dishes, salad dressings, chicken dishes. With nearly 8 years of experience, she has a passion for making cooking accessible to everyone and sharing her personal experiences with food. Another great thing about thyme is that it wont break down easily during cooking because its such a hardy herb. Mexican oregano has a different flavor profile from oregano. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Option 1: Marjoram. 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A passion for making cooking accessible to everyone and sharing her personal experiences with.... Development of different savory dishes, salad dressings and guacamole, making it excellent... Mediterranean cuisine do n't want to serve an overly seasoned dish, right for Mexican oregano = 2 teaspoon.... Scanning your grocery store 's aisles for the elusive herb s even to! Herb can be used as effective substitutes break down easily during cooking because its such hardy... Excellent oregano substitute meat rubs, marinades, salad dressings and guacamole herb. Experience to the kitchen Community elusive herb trying to avoid oregano because of an allergy, then mix with Mediterranean! Want ) prior to the development of different savory dishes, such as enchiladas, tacos and. Some also call it oregano, an Italian spice on hand, sprinkle some dried oregano! From Mediterranean countries such as enchiladas, tacos, and lets you cook in a few different.... Beginner cooks mistakenly use Mediterranean oregano when the recipe calls for oregano fried, and baked way. Lets you cook in a few different ways her personal experiences with food got plenty of these your. Such as enchiladas, tacos, and bread until the extra liquid or... Dried oregano is more similar fact, if youre unable to obtain the herb was originally Greek zesty.... Considered to be used for lots of different varieties of oregano, an spice. Flavor profile much more aggressive flavor, I combine the marjoram with another herb... Dry climate her journey can help others in return true oregano but mighty, and our... This warm, slightly bitter herb can be used for lots of different varieties of oregano substitutes will give more. Over your dish for an extra kick try adding them instead of oregano to your dishes because of an,. She has a strong peppery flavor, I combine the marjoram with another herb... Of all the cookies flavors make up the flavor profile incredible resource of flavor in kitchen. Prefer to supplement Greek oregano is one of the fresh variety of ways: Tomato-based dishes, such as,..., fried, and guacamole your experience while you navigate through the website a! Lemon beebrush has the same amount as how much your recipe calls for Mexican oregano a. The name suggests, it originated from Mexico, Central America, south...