Best Substitutes for Dill in Cooking and Pickling

The best substitutes for dill are fresh tarragon (for similar anise flavor), parsley (for texture), fennel fronds (for similar flavor profile), and dill weed (dried dill). For pickling specifically, a combination of fennel seeds and celery seeds works well as a dill substitute. When substituting, use 1 tablespoon fresh herbs for each tablespoon of fresh dill, or 1 teaspoon dried herbs for each tablespoon of fresh dill.

Dill's distinctive flavor—fresh, slightly sweet with subtle anise notes—makes it challenging to replace, but several alternatives work well depending on your recipe. Understanding dill's unique profile is key to selecting the right substitute that maintains your dish's intended flavor balance without compromising quality.

Understanding Dill's Flavor Profile

Dill features a delicate balance of grassy, citrusy, and faintly licorice-like notes that work particularly well with fish, potatoes, yogurt-based sauces, and pickled vegetables. Fresh dill has a brighter, more complex flavor than dried dill weed, which tends to be more concentrated and earthy. When seeking dill alternatives, consider whether your recipe requires the herb's aromatic freshness or its structural presence.

Top Fresh Herb Substitutes for Dill

When you need fresh dill substitutes, these herbs provide the closest flavor matches while maintaining appropriate texture in your dishes:

• Tarragon—Offers similar anise notes with a slightly more pronounced licorice flavor. Use 1:1 ratio for fish dishes and creamy sauces. Best dill substitute for tzatziki when combined with mint.
• Fennel fronds—The feathery green tops of fennel bulbs provide the closest flavor match with mild anise notes. Ideal for salads, seafood, and as garnish. Use equal parts to replace fresh dill.
• Parsley—While lacking dill's distinctive flavor, curly or flat-leaf parsley provides similar texture and visual appeal. Best for garnishing or when dill's flavor isn't central to the dish. Use 1:1 ratio.
• Chervil—A delicate herb with subtle anise notes that works well in dressings and egg dishes. Use slightly more than dill (about 25% extra) as its flavor is milder.

Dried Herb Alternatives for Dill Weed

When substituting dried herbs for fresh dill, remember that dried herbs are more concentrated. The general rule is to use one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. For dill weed vs fresh dill substitution:

• Dill weed—The dried version of fresh dill. Use 1 teaspoon dried dill weed for every tablespoon of fresh dill.
• Fennel seeds—Crush lightly before using. Excellent for pickling recipes as the best dill substitute for pickling. Use ½ teaspoon crushed fennel seeds per tablespoon of fresh dill.
• Dill seed—Stronger and more pungent than fresh dill. Use sparingly (¼ teaspoon per tablespoon of fresh dill) in breads and pickling recipes.
• Tarragon (dried)—Use ½ teaspoon dried tarragon per tablespoon of fresh dill, particularly in creamy sauces and dressings.

Specialized Substitutes by Dish Type

Certain dishes require specific dill alternatives to maintain authentic flavor profiles:

Dish Type	Best Dill Substitute	Substitution Ratio	Notes
Fish recipes	Fennel fronds or tarragon	1:1 fresh	Add lemon zest to enhance similarity to dill's citrus notes
Pickling	Fennel seeds + celery seeds	½ tsp fennel + ¼ tsp celery seeds	Best dill substitute for pickling cucumbers and vegetables
Tzatziki	Tarragon + mint	1 tsp tarragon + 1 tsp mint per tbsp dill	Mimics dill's anise and cooling properties
Potato salad	Parsley + chives	1 tbsp parsley + 1 tsp chives	Provides similar texture with complementary flavor
Dill bread	Dill seed + caraway	¼ tsp dill seed + ⅛ tsp caraway	Dill substitute measurements for baked goods

What Not to Use as Dill Substitutes

Some common herbs make poor dill alternatives due to flavor incompatibility:

• Rosemary—Too piney and strong, overwhelms delicate dishes
• Thyme—Earthy flavor doesn't match dill's brightness
• Oregano—Too pungent for dishes requiring dill's subtlety
• Basil—Sweet profile works against dill's citrus notes in most applications

Maximizing Substitution Success

For the best results when replacing dill in recipes:

• Add substitutes later in cooking than you would fresh dill to preserve delicate flavors
• Combine two mild herbs (like parsley and chives) to create a more complex flavor profile
• For fish recipes, always include lemon when using dill alternatives to mimic dill's citrus notes
• When making pickles without dill, add a grape leaf to maintain crispness
• For dried herb substitutions, toast seeds lightly before using to enhance flavor

Preserving Fresh Dill to Avoid Substitutions

Before reaching for dill alternatives, try these storage methods to extend fresh dill's life:

• Trim stems and place in a glass with 1 inch of water, cover loosely with plastic bag in refrigerator
• Freeze whole sprigs in olive oil in ice cube trays for cooking applications
• Dry dill by hanging small bunches upside down in a dark, dry place
• Create dill-infused vinegar for salad dressings and pickling

What is the best substitute for dill in pickling recipes?

The best substitute for dill in pickling is a combination of fennel seeds and celery seeds. Use ½ teaspoon crushed fennel seeds plus ¼ teaspoon celery seeds for each tablespoon of fresh dill required. This combination mimics dill's flavor profile while maintaining the crispness of pickled vegetables.

Can I use dried dill weed instead of fresh dill?

Yes, you can substitute dried dill weed for fresh dill using a 1:3 ratio. For every tablespoon of fresh dill, use 1 teaspoon of dried dill weed. Remember that dried dill has a more concentrated, earthier flavor than fresh dill, so you may want to adjust other seasonings accordingly.

What herb tastes most like dill?

Fennel fronds taste most similar to dill, offering comparable anise notes with a fresh, grassy quality. Tarragon is the second closest match with its subtle licorice flavor, though it's slightly more pronounced than dill's. For the most authentic dill-like flavor, use fennel fronds as a 1:1 replacement in salads, fish dishes, and as garnish.

How do I substitute dill in tzatziki sauce?

For tzatziki, the best dill substitute is a combination of tarragon and mint. Use 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon plus 1 teaspoon fresh mint for each tablespoon of dill required. This pairing mimics dill's anise notes while providing the cooling quality essential to authentic tzatziki. Add a pinch of lemon zest to enhance the flavor similarity.

Can I use parsley instead of dill?

Yes, you can use parsley as a dill substitute when dill's flavor isn't central to the dish. Parsley provides similar texture and visual appeal but lacks dill's distinctive anise notes. Use equal parts parsley for dill in potato salads or as garnish. For better flavor matching, combine parsley with chives or a small amount of tarragon.