Best Substitutes for Dill: Top Herb Alternatives for Any Recipe

If you're looking for what is a good substitute for dill, the best options are fresh tarragon (for most dishes), parsley with a squeeze of lemon (for salads), and fennel fronds (for seafood). For pickling specifically, a combination of dill weed and celery seeds works best when fresh dill isn't available. The right substitute depends on your specific recipe and what flavor elements of dill you're trying to replicate—its grassy notes, slight anise flavor, or citrus undertones.

When you're in the middle of cooking and realize you're out of dill, knowing what is a good substitute for dill can save your recipe. Dill's unique flavor profile—combining grassy, slightly sweet, and subtle anise notes with citrus undertones—makes it challenging to replace perfectly. However, several herbs and spices can effectively stand in depending on your specific culinary application.

Understanding Dill's Flavor Profile

Before selecting a substitute, it's important to understand what makes dill distinctive. Fresh dill has a bright, grassy flavor with hints of anise and lemon. The seeds are more pungent and earthy, often used in pickling. When searching for what herb can I use instead of dill, consider which aspect of dill's flavor is most important for your dish:

• Fresh dill weed: Delicate, grassy, with citrus notes (best for salads, fish, dips)
• Dill seeds: Earthier, stronger anise flavor (best for pickling, breads, stews)

Top Substitutes for Fresh Dill

1. Tarragon (Best Overall Substitute)

Fresh tarragon most closely matches dill's subtle anise notes, making it the best dill weed substitute for most savory dishes. Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting. Tarragon works particularly well in:

• Fish dishes (especially salmon)
• Egg salads
• Sauces and dressings
• Tzatziki (when out of dill)

Tip: If using dried tarragon, reduce the amount by half as it's more concentrated.

2. Parsley with Lemon (Best for Salads and Garnishes)

Flat-leaf parsley combined with a squeeze of lemon juice mimics dill's grassy-citrus profile. This is an excellent fresh dill substitute in recipes when you need something mild:

• Use 1 tablespoon chopped parsley plus 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice per tablespoon of fresh dill
• Ideal for potato salad, cucumber salads, and as a garnish
• Works well in creamy dips where dill is traditionally used

3. Fennel Fronds (Best for Seafood)

The feathery green tops of fennel bulbs have a mild anise flavor similar to dill. They're perfect when cooking what herb can I use instead of dill for fish recipes:

• Use a 1:1 substitution ratio
• Add at the end of cooking to preserve delicate flavor
• Excellent for grilled fish, seafood salads, and fish tacos

Best Substitutes for Dill Seeds

1. Celery Seeds (Best for Pickling)

When you need a dill alternative for pickling, celery seeds provide a similar earthy, slightly bitter profile. They're the closest match for dill seeds in brines:

• Use half the amount of celery seeds compared to dill seeds (they're stronger)
• Add a sprig of fresh tarragon for more authentic flavor
• Perfect for making refrigerator pickles when out of dill

2. Caraway Seeds (For Breads and Stews)

Caraway has a stronger anise flavor than dill seeds but works well in hearty dishes:

• Use 3/4 the amount of caraway compared to dill seeds
• Best in rye breads, potato dishes, and meat stews
• Add a pinch of dried dill weed if available for more authentic flavor

Substitute	Best For	Substitution Ratio	Flavor Notes
Fresh Tarragon	Fish, sauces, salads	1:1	Strongest anise note, closest overall match
Parsley + Lemon	Garnishes, salads, dips	1 tbsp parsley + 1/2 tsp lemon per tbsp dill	Milder, grassy-citrus profile
Fennel Fronds	Seafood dishes	1:1	Subtle anise, excellent for fish
Celery Seeds	Pickling, brines	1/2 amount of dill seeds	Earthy, slightly bitter
Dill Weed (dried)	When fresh unavailable	1 tsp dried = 1 tbsp fresh	Less citrus, more earthy

When Substitutes Won't Work

Some dishes rely so heavily on dill's unique flavor that substitutes fall short. These include:

• Traditional Scandinavian gravlax
• Classic dill pickles (the real deal requires fresh dill)
• Certain Middle Eastern dishes where dill is a primary flavor

In these cases, it's better to omit dill entirely rather than use a substitute that will alter the dish's character.

Adjusting Recipes When Using Substitutes

When determining what is a good substitute for dill in your specific recipe, consider these adjustments:

• For creamy dips: Add a pinch of sugar to balance stronger substitutes like tarragon
• For pickling: Combine celery seeds with a bay leaf for more complex flavor
• For fish dishes: Add a squeeze of lemon at the end to mimic dill's citrus notes
• For salads: Let stronger substitutes like tarragon sit for 10 minutes before serving to mellow the flavor

Storing and Preserving Dill

To avoid future substitutions, proper storage extends dill's freshness:

• Store fresh dill in a glass of water (like flowers) covered with a plastic bag in the refrigerator
• Freeze dill in olive oil in ice cube trays for future cooking
• Dry dill by hanging bunches upside down in a dark, dry place
• Preserve dill in vinegar for future use in dressings

What is the best substitute for dill in tzatziki?

Fresh tarragon is the best substitute for dill in tzatziki, using a 1:1 ratio. If tarragon isn't available, use flat-leaf parsley with a squeeze of lemon juice to mimic dill's grassy-citrus profile. Add the substitute just before serving for best results.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried dill for fresh using a 1:3 ratio (1 teaspoon dried dill equals 1 tablespoon fresh). Dried dill has a more earthy, less citrusy flavor, so add a squeeze of lemon juice to recipes to compensate for the missing brightness.

What's the best dill substitute for pickling cucumbers?

For pickling, the best dill substitute is a combination of celery seeds and fresh tarragon. Use half the amount of celery seeds compared to dill seeds, plus one sprig of fresh tarragon per quart of pickles. This creates a similar flavor profile to traditional dill pickles.

Is dill weed the same as dill seed?

No, dill weed and dill seed come from the same plant but have different flavors and uses. Dill weed refers to the feathery leaves with a grassy, citrusy flavor, while dill seed comes from the flower heads and has a stronger, earthier, more pungent taste with pronounced anise notes. They are not interchangeable in recipes.

Can I use fennel instead of dill for salmon?

Yes, fennel fronds make an excellent substitute for dill when preparing salmon. The feathery green tops have a mild anise flavor similar to dill. Use them in a 1:1 ratio, adding them during the last few minutes of cooking to preserve their delicate flavor. Fennel pollen can also be used sparingly as a finishing touch.