Best Dill Substitutes: Top Alternatives for Cooking & Pickling

The best substitutes for dill are fresh tarragon, fennel fronds, and a parsley-lemon zest combination. For dried dill, use dried dill weed at a 1:1 ratio or dried tarragon at a 1:1.5 ratio. The ideal substitute depends on your dish—tarragon works best for fish, fennel fronds for salads, and dill seed for pickling recipes requiring that distinctive dill flavor.

When you're in the middle of cooking and realize you've run out of dill, knowing the right substitute can save your recipe. Dill's unique flavor—a delicate blend of grassy, citrusy, and slightly anise notes—makes it challenging to replace perfectly, but several alternatives work well depending on your specific culinary application. Understanding which substitute works best for your dish requires knowing both the flavor profile you're trying to achieve and the context in which you're using the herb.

Understanding Dill's Unique Flavor Profile

Dill offers a distinctive taste that's simultaneously fresh, grassy, slightly sweet, and带有 subtle anise undertones. The fresh herb (dill weed) has a brighter, more delicate flavor compared to dill seeds, which are stronger, more pungent, and have a pronounced caraway-like quality. This distinction is crucial when selecting substitutes, as fresh dill and dill seeds aren't interchangeable in most recipes.

Top Fresh Herb Substitutes for Dill Weed

When substituting for fresh dill weed, consider these options based on your specific recipe requirements:

Tarragon: The Closest Flavor Match

Fresh tarragon provides the most similar flavor profile to dill, with its mild anise notes and herbal freshness. Use it as a 1:1 substitute in fish dishes, creamy sauces, and salad dressings. Tarragon works particularly well as a substitute for dill in salmon recipes and other seafood preparations where dill is traditionally used.

Fennel Fronds: For Salads and Light Dishes

The feathery green tops of fennel bulbs offer a mild licorice flavor that closely resembles dill. Use fennel fronds as a 1:1 substitute in salads, vegetable dishes, and light dressings. They work especially well as a substitute for dill in tzatziki sauce when combined with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor.

Parsley and Lemon Zest: The Accessible Alternative

When other options aren't available, combine flat-leaf parsley with lemon zest (2 parts parsley to 1 part zest) as a practical substitute. This combination works well in potato salads, cucumber salads, and as a dill substitute for pickling when fresh dill isn't available. The parsley provides the green herbal note while lemon zest mimics dill's citrus undertones.

Dried Herb Substitutes for Dill Weed

Dried herbs have more concentrated flavors than fresh, so substitution ratios differ:

Original Ingredient	Substitute	Substitution Ratio	Best For
Fresh dill weed	Fresh tarragon	1:1	Fish, sauces, dressings
Fresh dill weed	Fennel fronds	1:1	Salads, light dishes
Fresh dill weed	Parsley + lemon zest	2:1 ratio	Salads, dips, dressings
Dried dill weed	Dried dill weed	1:1	General cooking
Dried dill weed	Dried tarragon	1:1.5	Heartier dishes
Dill seeds	Dill seeds	1:1	Pickling, breads
Dill seeds	Fennel seeds	1:0.75	Pickling recipes

Substituting for Dill Seeds

Dill seeds have a stronger, more pungent flavor than dill weed and are commonly used in pickling and bread recipes. When substituting for dill seeds:

• Fennel seeds work at a 3:4 ratio (use 3/4 teaspoon fennel for every 1 teaspoon dill seed)
• Caraway seeds can substitute at a 1:1 ratio but have a stronger flavor
• Dill weed is not recommended as a substitute for dill seeds due to flavor differences

For pickling specifically, dill seeds are difficult to replace completely. If you're looking for a dill substitute for pickling cucumbers, consider using a combination of fennel seeds and fresh dill weed to approximate the traditional flavor.

Best Substitutes by Dish Type

Fish and Seafood Dishes

Fresh tarragon is the superior substitute for dill in salmon recipes and other fish preparations. Its similar anise notes complement seafood beautifully. Use it in compound butter for grilled fish or as part of a marinade. When making gravlax or other cured fish preparations that traditionally use dill, tarragon provides the closest flavor profile.

Pickling Recipes

For pickling, the ideal dill substitute depends on whether you need fresh dill or dill seeds:

• Fresh dill substitute for pickling: Use fresh fennel fronds or a combination of fresh dill weed and dill seeds if you have limited fresh dill
• Dill seed substitute: Use fennel seeds at a 3:4 ratio for the closest flavor match in refrigerator pickles

For traditional fermented pickles, dill is more difficult to substitute completely as it contributes to the fermentation process. In this case, use whatever dill substitute you have available but understand the flavor profile will differ.

Cold Dips and Sauces

For tzatziki, ranch dressing, or other cold sauces where dill is prominent:

• Tzatziki substitute: Use fresh tarragon at a 1:1 ratio plus a squeeze of lemon juice
• Ranch dressing substitute: Combine parsley, chives, and a touch of dried dill weed
• Dill dip substitute: Use fresh tarragon with a small amount of dried dill for depth

Salads and Vegetable Dishes

Fennel fronds work exceptionally well as a substitute for dill in cucumber salad and other fresh vegetable preparations. Their similar texture and mild anise flavor make them nearly indistinguishable in many applications. For potato salad, the parsley-lemon zest combination provides the bright freshness that dill would normally contribute.

When Substitution Isn't Recommended

Some dishes rely so heavily on dill's unique flavor that substitutes significantly alter the character of the dish:

• Traditional Scandinavian gravlax (dill is integral to the curing process)
• Certain Eastern European borscht recipes where dill is a signature component
• Authentic dill pickle recipes using fresh dill in the brine

In these cases, it's better to either find fresh dill or adjust your recipe expectations rather than force a substitution that will dramatically change the dish's character.

Storage Tips for Dill and Substitutes

To maximize freshness when you do have dill available:

• Store fresh dill upright in a glass with an inch of water, covered loosely with a plastic bag in the refrigerator
• Freeze fresh dill in ice cube trays with water or olive oil for later use
• Keep dried herbs in airtight containers away from light and heat
• Label all herbs with purchase dates—dried herbs lose potency after 6-12 months

What is the best substitute for dill in tzatziki sauce?

The best substitute for dill in tzatziki is fresh tarragon used at a 1:1 ratio, combined with an extra squeeze of lemon juice. Tarragon provides similar anise notes to dill while the lemon juice mimics dill's citrus undertones, creating a close approximation of the traditional flavor profile.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh dill in recipes?

Yes, but with important adjustments. Use one-third the amount of dried dill compared to fresh (1 teaspoon dried dill = 1 tablespoon fresh dill). Dried dill has a more concentrated flavor but lacks the bright freshness of fresh dill, so it works better in cooked dishes than in fresh preparations like salads or cold sauces.

What's the best substitute for dill seeds in pickling recipes?

Fennel seeds are the best substitute for dill seeds in pickling, used at a 3:4 ratio (3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds for every 1 teaspoon of dill seeds). Fennel seeds provide similar anise notes and work well in the brine, though the flavor profile will be slightly different from traditional dill pickles.

Can I substitute dill weed for dill seeds?

Not directly. Dill weed and dill seeds have significantly different flavor profiles and uses. Dill seeds are stronger and more pungent, used primarily in pickling and breads, while dill weed is more delicate for fresh applications. If substituting, use 3 times the amount of dill weed for dill seeds, but understand the flavor will differ substantially.

What herb is most similar to dill in flavor?

Tarragon is the herb most similar to dill in flavor, particularly French tarragon. Both have mild anise notes with herbal freshness, though tarragon is slightly sweeter and less citrusy than dill. Fresh tarragon works as the closest 1:1 substitute in most savory applications where dill would normally be used.