9 Additions To Make Your Italian Seasoning Substitute Stand Out

Have you ever prepared all of your ingredients to make a big pot of comforting pasta bolognese and discover you have an empty glass bottle of Italian seasoning and need a good substitute, quick?

Or maybe want to turn a simple lasagne into something special for some dinner guests?

I find myself in these situations over and over again.

While seasoning blends make life more convenient, sometimes replacements just don’t end up on the shopping list.

Sound familiar?

That is why you should make sure that you have a well-stocked spice cabinet in case you need to get creative with your substitutions!

And chances are your spice cabinet is stocked with all of the basic components of a decent Italian seasoning blend, plus a few more!

This is great because now you will finally have a chance to break away from a pre-packaged blend and impress with your OWN Italian seasoning substitute (as I often do when making sauce for either of my low-carb pizza doughs)!

But HOW do you take these seasonings and turn your recipes into something special?

What Is Seasoning?

Seasonings are anything that enhances the taste of foods or creates characteristic flavors, by using herbs and spices. Fresh or dried herbs and spices, condiments, sauces, etc. are all considered seasonings.

Seasonings can also include:

• dried/preserved fruits or vegetables like lemon, orange, fig, etc.
• brined vegetables/berries like capers, juniper, peppers, etc.
• pastes like tomato, anchovy, garlic, etc.

What is Italian Seasoning?

Italian food (or at least as most of the world knows it) has a distinct “taste” or “flavor” that can be identified by its seasonings. A basic Italian seasoning contains the following ingredients:

Herb	Flavor Profile
Basil	fresh, mint, subtle pepper
Oregano	earthy, slightly bitter, peppery
Thyme	mint, citrus
Marjoram	pine, citrus
Rosemary	evergreen, pine, mint, citrus
Sage	earthy, warm, eucalyptus, citrus

“I, like most other people, mostly associate Italian food with basil and oregano. If these are the only two herbs you have for a pasta sauce, then mission accomplished. But if you have something special to add to it like a balsamic vinegar, then go ahead and add it – instant upgrade!”

-Nicole, FamilyandGlamour

How To Make An Italian Seasoning Substitute

The base for flavorful Italian food begins with a basic seasoning blend:

The main reason these different herbs work so well together is that they share similar flavor profiles that lend well to the rustic, Italian style of cooking.

Can I Use Herbs De Provence or Herbs De La Garrigue As Substitutes?

Yes, you can use these blends as a substitute for Italian seasoning; because the vegetation of these Mediterranean regions is similar to that of Italy, both French seasoning blends contain similar ingredients found in Italian seasoning.

Also, as the names of these seasonings suggest, they are seasoning blends that are typical of their respective regions in France (Provence and Garrigue).

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the ingredients:

Italian	Herbs de Provence	Herbs de la Garrigue
oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, marjoram, and sage	Savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, basil, and lavender Best for: lighter dishes like poultry, fish, and vegetables	thyme, rosemary, basil, sage, marjoram, savory, mint, fennel, lavender, and bay leaves Best for: more robust dishes like meat and pasta

Should I Use Fresh or Dried Herbs?

Both fresh and dried herbs will work just fine when making an Italian seasoning blend if you take a few considerations:

• If it’s convenience you are after, then dried herbs are the way to go. The seasoning will be easier to make in bulk and last much longer. And since the herbs are dried they have a more potent flavor, so less is required in a recipe.

 1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon dried herbs 

Cooking With Herbs Rule Of Thumb

• However, fresh herbs need to be used in a recipe immediately because they have a limited shelf life and therefore not ideal for making a seasoning blend in bulk. Plus the flavors of fresh herbs are more subtle and require a larger amount than dried herbs in a recipe.

• Using a combination of fresh and dried herbs in a recipe is also a good idea: a sprinkle of fresh herbs can liven up a dish right before serving!

How To Store The Italian Seasoning Blend

Store in an air-tight container, jar or plastic bag to keep fresh in a dry place (cabinet or drawer). Expect your seasoning to last as long as the expiration dates from the individual herb packaging (usually 1-3 years).

Pro tip

How These 9 Ingredients Will Make Substitute Italian Seasoning Stand Out

Use these nine additional ingredients along with the seasoning blend to make your everyday Italian meals taste even better!

Ingredient	What It Adds To A Dish
Anchovy	umami, saltiness
Balsamic Vinegar	adds dimension to sauces and marinades
Bay Leaf	hint of menthol flavor, subtle aroma
Capers	adds tanginess, brine, and citrus flavors
Chili	smokiness, warmth, and spice
Dried or preserved lemon, lemon peel	mellow lemon flavor
Fennel	anise, mild licorice flavor
Garlic	sweetness, mustard flavor
Nutmeg	warmth, nutty, clove flavor

(This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here.)

Italian Seasoning Substitute Additions For Poultry, Meat, Pork, Seafood, and Vegetable Dishes

Using the Italian seasoning substitute recipe as a base, here are some suggestions, or add-ins, to create impressive and flavorful Italian dishes:

Italian Seasoning Substitute +	Dish
bay leaf garlic preserved lemon	roasted chicken
capers preserved lemon garlic	chicken piccata
garlic chili	chicken parmesan

Italian Seasoning Substitute +	Dish
bay leaf garlic balsamic vinegar	Bolognese, Braised Short Ribs
nutmeg garlic	Lasagne

Italian Seasoning Substitute+	Dish
Fennel Chili Flakes Balsamic Vinegar	Italian sausage and peppers
Fennel Garlic Bay Leaves	Porchetta
Bay Leaves Chili Garlic Fennel	Pork Ragu

Italian Seasoning +	Dish
Bay Leaves Balsamic Vinegar Chili	Roasted Lamb

Italian Seasoning +	Dish
capers garlic preserved lemon	Fish Picatta
garlic anchovy (fresh or paste) preserved lemon or lemon rind chili flakes	Shrimp Scampi

Italian Seasoning +	Dish
dried lemon garlic bay leaves	Risotto
nutmeg	Bechamel sauce, Filled pasta

What are some of your favorite additions to your Italian seasonings?

Share your tips and tricks in the comments!