Best Substitutes for Thyme: Top Alternatives for Cooking

The best substitutes for thyme are oregano (1:1 ratio), marjoram (1:1 ratio), rosemary (use half the amount), and savory (1:1 ratio). Each offers a similar earthy flavor profile with subtle differences that work well in soups, stews, and meat dishes when thyme isn't available.

Running out of thyme while cooking can derail your recipe, but several excellent alternatives can save your dish. Understanding which herb best replaces thyme depends on your specific recipe, cooking method, and desired flavor profile. This guide provides practical solutions backed by culinary expertise to help you make informed substitutions without compromising your dish's quality.

Understanding Thyme's Unique Flavor Profile

Before exploring substitutes, it's essential to understand what makes thyme distinctive. Fresh thyme offers a complex flavor with earthy, slightly floral notes and subtle hints of mint and lemon. Dried thyme concentrates these flavors, becoming more pungent with woody undertones. This complexity explains why finding the perfect thyme replacement requires careful consideration of your specific cooking context.

Top 8 Substitutes for Thyme in Cooking

Oregano: The Mediterranean Stand-In

Oregano makes an excellent dried thyme substitute, particularly in Italian, Greek, and Mediterranean dishes. While slightly more pungent with a peppery finish, it shares thyme's earthy foundation. Use equal parts oregano for dried thyme in tomato-based sauces, roasted vegetables, and grilled meats. For fresh thyme alternatives in cooking, remember that fresh oregano has a milder flavor, so you may need to increase the quantity slightly.

Marjoram: The Closest Flavor Match

Often called "thyme's sweeter cousin," marjoram provides the most similar flavor profile with less intensity. Its delicate, floral notes work beautifully in poultry dishes, stuffings, and light sauces where you need a thyme replacement that won't overpower. Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting dried marjoram for dried thyme. For fresh applications, marjoram's milder flavor means you can use slightly more than the thyme amount specified in your recipe.

Rosemary: For Robust Dishes

When considering what to use instead of thyme in hearty dishes like roasts or stews, rosemary offers a bold alternative. Its pine-like intensity requires careful measurement—use only half the amount of rosemary compared to thyme. This substitution shines in lamb dishes, root vegetable preparations, and rustic breads. Remember that rosemary's strong flavor can dominate, so add gradually and taste as you cook.

Savory: The Underrated Alternative

Both summer and winter savory provide excellent thyme substitutes with similar earthy characteristics. Summer savory works particularly well as a fresh thyme alternative in bean dishes and salads, while winter savory's stronger flavor suits meats and stews. Use equal parts savory for thyme in most applications. Many professional chefs consider savory the best substitute for thyme in stew preparations due to its ability to withstand long cooking times without losing flavor.

Herbes de Provence: The Blended Solution

This classic French herb blend typically contains thyme plus complementary herbs like rosemary, marjoram, and lavender. When you need a quick thyme replacement for chicken recipes, use equal parts herbes de Provence. The blend's complexity mimics thyme's role in seasoning while adding additional aromatic dimensions. Check the blend's ingredients, as formulations vary—some contain lavender which may not suit all dishes.

Basil: For Italian-Inspired Dishes

While not a direct flavor match, basil serves as a practical dried thyme substitute in tomato-based Italian recipes. Its sweet, slightly peppery notes complement similar dishes where thyme would typically appear. Use equal parts dried basil for dried thyme in pasta sauces and pizza toppings. For fresh applications, torn fresh basil leaves added at the end of cooking can provide a bright finish to dishes that would normally use fresh thyme.

Tarragon: The French Kitchen Alternative

Tarragon's subtle anise flavor makes it an interesting thyme substitute in French cuisine, particularly for chicken and fish dishes. Use a 1:1 ratio for dried versions, but be aware that its distinct licorice note changes the flavor profile. This substitution works best in béarnaise sauce, chicken preparations, and vegetable dishes where a hint of anise complements other ingredients.

Sage: For Rich, Hearty Dishes

Sage provides a robust alternative when you need a thyme replacement for poultry seasoning or stuffing. Its earthy, slightly peppery flavor stands up well to long cooking times. Use half the amount of sage compared to thyme, as its flavor intensifies during cooking. This substitution shines in autumnal dishes, sausage stuffings, and hearty bean soups where a more pronounced herbal note is desirable.

Substitute	Ratio (vs. Thyme)	Best For	Flavor Notes
Oregano	1:1	Mediterranean dishes, tomato sauces	More pungent, peppery finish
Marjoram	1:1	Poultry, light sauces, stuffings	Sweeter, more floral than thyme
Rosemary	1:2 (use half)	Roasts, stews, root vegetables	Pine-like, very strong flavor
Savory	1:1	Bean dishes, meats, stews	Closest earthy profile to thyme
Herbes de Provence	1:1	French cuisine, chicken recipes	Complex blend with thyme base

Special Considerations for Thyme Substitutions

When determining the equivalent for 1 tsp thyme in recipes, remember that dried herbs are typically three times more potent than fresh. If substituting dried herbs for fresh thyme, use one-third the amount. Conversely, when replacing dried thyme with fresh alternatives, triple the quantity.

Certain dishes demand specific considerations. For example, the best substitute for thyme in stew differs from ideal replacements for delicate fish preparations. Hearty dishes like beef stew can handle stronger substitutes like rosemary, while lighter broths benefit from more delicate options like marjoram.

Vegetarian cooks often seek vegetarian thyme alternatives that maintain depth without meat-based seasonings. In these cases, mushroom powder combined with a milder herb like marjoram can provide umami richness similar to thyme's contribution in meat-based dishes.

Practical Tips for Successful Substitutions

Add dried herb substitutes early in the cooking process to allow flavors to develop, while fresh alternatives should be added in the last 5-10 minutes to preserve their delicate notes. When experimenting with thyme substitute ratios for baking, start with less than recommended and adjust to taste—herbal flavors concentrate during baking.

For the most accurate results when you're out of thyme, consider your dish's dominant flavors. Tomato-based recipes pair well with oregano, while poultry benefits from marjoram or herbes de Provence. Root vegetable dishes often shine with rosemary or savory substitutions.

What's the best substitute for thyme in chicken recipes?

Marjoram makes the best substitute for thyme in chicken recipes, using an equal 1:1 ratio. Its sweet, floral notes complement poultry without overpowering the delicate meat flavor. Herbes de Provence also works well as it typically contains thyme plus complementary herbs that enhance chicken dishes.

Can I use oregano instead of thyme in stew?

Yes, oregano works well as a thyme substitute in stew using a 1:1 ratio. While oregano has a slightly more pungent, peppery flavor than thyme, it holds up well during long cooking times and complements the rich flavors in stews. For beef stews, you might prefer savory or rosemary (using half the amount) for a more traditional flavor profile.

How much rosemary equals one teaspoon of thyme?

Use half a teaspoon of rosemary to replace one teaspoon of thyme. Rosemary has a much stronger, more concentrated flavor than thyme, so using equal amounts would overpower most dishes. Always add rosemary gradually and taste as you cook, especially in delicate recipes.

Is dried thyme stronger than fresh thyme?

Yes, dried thyme is approximately three times stronger than fresh thyme. When substituting dried for fresh, use one-third the amount specified in the recipe. Conversely, when replacing dried thyme with fresh alternatives, triple the quantity. This concentration difference applies to all dried herb substitutes when replacing fresh thyme.

What's a good vegetarian substitute for thyme?

For vegetarian cooking, marjoram or savory make excellent thyme substitutes as they provide similar earthy notes without meat-based seasonings. For dishes that rely on thyme's umami qualities, try combining mushroom powder with a mild herb like marjoram. Herbes de Provence also works well in vegetarian applications, offering a complex herbal profile that mimics thyme's role in seasoning.