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Dill is a plant with long ferns and yellow flowers. The use of it can be traced back to biblical times as a flavor.
It is an annual plant, however, occasionally, may be difficult to find. Thus, you have to get a good substitute for it. Even though this herb has a distinct flavor, you can still easily substitute dill at home. Its flavor can be emulated using other available spices. This article explores the best possible options for dill substitutes.
What is Dill and Where It is Used?
It is an aromatic plant used for seasoning food through its seeds and leaves. It is a native Mediterranean region spice. Dill is mostly used to season foods like stew, pasta, meat, and vegetables.
Kitchen Must-Have: Substitutes for Dill
Every spice has its own unique flavor, but that does not hinder you from substituting one spice with another. Dill isn’t an exception. Its distinct flavor can still be imitated with other spices found in your kitchen. This article shows you how.
Substitute for Dill Weed
Have you come across a recipe that requires dill weed? In any case, if you do not have it there are other spices like fennel, rosemary, tarragon, thyme, etc. that can be used as dill weed substitute.
Fennel
Fennel is a flowering spice that resembles celery with broad stem and feather-like leaves. It is a native spice to the Mediterranean region. Fennel has a sweet but mild licorice taste. It’s used to season fish, vegetables, salads, and meats.
Fresh Tarragon
Tarragon produces an aroma similar to anise with a mild bitter-sweet taste. It’s best used in seasoning vegetable dishes, mustard, and meat. Tarragon would be a perfect substitute for fresh dill if your recipe requires it.
Rosemary
Rosemary is also a native spice in the Mediterranean region, too. Its intense aroma makes it a great dill weed substitute. Rosemary is popular in Spanish, Italian, and French cuisines. It’s best used in fish recipes, pork, chicken, and lamb. Rosemary also blends well with vegetable dishes such as mushrooms, potatoes, and beans.
Thyme
Thyme gives your dishes a sweet minty flavor. It goes pretty well as a dill alternative since it maintains its flavor even when cooked, although you may not get a similar anise aroma. Thyme is best used in salad dressing, meat dishes, sauces, stews, and marinades. It also blends well with vegetable salads, roasted potatoes, and tomatoes.
Dill Seed Substitute
Is dill weed the same as its seed? This has been a confusing question for many spice lovers. Seeds have almost a similar flavor to herb’s weed but somehow bitter taste. The seeds have a more pungent savor compared to weed. More so, dill seeds’ palate becomes stronger when heated.
Caraway Seeds
Caraway seeds give a strong flavor and aroma similar to anise and dill seeds. This makes them a suitable substitution for star anise. Caraway seeds are best used to season creamy soups and vegetables. Celery seeds can be used as a dill substitute and may not noticeably alter the final appearance or flavor of your dish.
- McCormick Gourmet Organic Caraway Seed imparts a warm, slightly biting taste
- Our sourced caraway seed is certified Organic and non GMO
- Essential ingredient in homemade rye bread and soda bread
- Use in European dishes, including goulash, borscht and sauerkraut
- Livens up green beans, squash and root vegetables
Celery Seeds
Celery seeds are dark brown and resemble dill seeds. They have an earthy bitter taste and are available as whole seed or ground powder. Celery seed is used to season sauces, salads, dry rubs, and brines.
- McCormick Gourmet Organic Celery Seed is celery-like in flavor and aroma
- Our carefully sourced celery seed is certified Organic and non GMO
- Add to brines and spice rubs for meat and poultry
- For coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad
- Use celery seed in pickling mixes for cucumbers and other vegetables
Conclusion
Your best options for dill replacement are thyme, fennel, or tarragon if your recipe requires its weed and for some reason, you do not have. They are not a perfect emulation, but if you choose something from that list it will make your dish the same perfect taste. Caraway seeds or celery seeds, on the other hand, works best as dried dill substitutes.
What experiments have you carried out in the kitchen to find the perfect substitute for dill?
