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Are you looking for marjoram substitute ideas? You don’t have to be a professional chef to enjoy various meals that you can take in place of marjoram. You can use marjoram in various stews and dishes.
However, if you need a change, there are many delicious substitutes to try. This post gives various suggestions for substitutes for marjoram.
What is marjoram?
Marjoram is an exceptional herb grown in the Mediterranean, Western Asia, and North Africa. It is used in various dishes. This herb is also used as medicine due to its health benefits. It is an aromatic herb that comes from the mint family. Marjoram is also known as Sweet marjoram.
Marjoram spice has a nice flavor and is used to garnish soups, meat dishes, and salads. While most people dry it partially, you can as well use it when it’s still fresh.
What does marjoram taste like?
You must have asked yourself what does marjoram taste like the first time you heard about it. Most people who have used marjoram loved its citrusy flavor. This herb has some compounds like terpinene, sabinene, and linalool.
The flavor of marjoram is a bit mild compared to oregano. It’s almost like thyme but has a stronger scent and a sweeter scent. While it’s slightly bitter, it’s warm and sharp.
Marjoram substitute
Do you love trying new things? Maybe at one point, you may be looking for marjoram replacement for one reason or another. You can use alternatives like basil, summer savory, thyme, or sage.
All you need is to apply an equal amount of that replacement in place of marjoram. Below are some marjoram alternatives you need to try.
Marjoram vs. Oregano
Are marjoram and oregano the same thing? Oregano and marjoram are from the same class of herbs or plant family. Their similarity starts from their appearance, taste, and aroma.
However, oregano tends to be stronger compared to marjoram. Oregano’s leaves also have less hair than marjoram.
Even though both of them have an oval shape and come from the same mint family, there’s some difference in their flavor and aroma. Oregano has a pungent and spicy aroma.
Marjoram, on the other hand, tends to be woodsy and floral. You can find marjoram both in a dried and fresh state. People use it in making sauces, marinades, or salad dressings.
It makes a perfect salad dressing because it is light and has a slight flavor. Oregano can also be added on salad dressings and grilled meat but has a stronger taste and aroma.
Marjoram vs. thyme
Thyme is a herb whose oil, leaves, and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. You can use it together with other herbs for better results. It can treat bronchitis, sore throat, and cough, among others.
However, in food, thyme is used as a spice thanks to its flavor. Thyme comes in several flavors that vary in taste. It can be a substitute for marjoram. Just like marjoram, thyme also has a mild flavor.
The French and English thyme are the most common flavor. Lemon is also a type of thyme. Thyme can make a great flavor if you add it to poultry dishes and seafood, but you can pair it with other herbs to taste better.
Other substitutions
Other herbs can offer you a delicious aroma in place of marjoram aside from oregano and thyme. Below are some of them.
- Basil
You can use basil in place of marjoram. However, the two herbs have different tastes, but you can use them for the same purpose. This is only possible if you aren’t a picky eater. - Sage
If you have sage in your home garden, you can use it even in its fresh state in place of marjoram. However, its taste is quite different from that of marjoram. You might want to try putting a little amount in food and taste it. If you love the taste, you can add more to get a consistent result. - Summer savory
Summer savory is an excellent marjoram replacement and that you can use. Most people often compare it with sage. It’s great for hearty roasted recipes like pork medallions and roast venison. You can as well use it in sausage seasoning.
Final Advice
Marjoram has many health benefits. If you are wondering what a substitute for marjoram is, you can try basil, sage, and summer savory. However, you need to apply a few of them on your desired recipe to taste whether you like it. Mykichenadvisor.com might help get flavored herbs that you can use in your recipes.
What other marjoram substitutes have you ever used? Share your ideas below.
