Knowing what works as a bay leaf substitute is important for chefs, particularly if they are fond of cooking Asian-inspired or Eastern dishes.
Bay Leaf Substitute
In terms of the best bay leaf substitute, there are plenty of options, including the following:
- Thyme
- Basil
- Oregano
- Boldo leaves
- Juniper berries
Bay leaves have a very powerful and potent flavor in dishes, so finding the right concentration of these replacements can be a bit challenging.
Thyme
Using a quarter teaspoon of thyme can provide your dish with a bit of a flavorful boost, but it won’t be an exact match for bay leaves. [1]
Like bay leaves, oregano is an excellent addition to meats like beef and lamb. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Basil
Both, basil leaves and ground basil, do have a savory bite that can fit in with curries and soups, but basil leaves and bay leaves are far from a perfect match in terms of flavor. [2]
Oregano
This common spice is very forward in a dish, similar to bay leaves, so fresh oregano or dried and ground spice can be used as a bay leaf substitute. However, again, be careful not to over-spice your dish with oregano in an attempt to match the boldness of bay leaves. [3]
Boldo Leaves
These leaves are used in the same way as bay leaves in certain parts of the world, as it is included in stews and soups to release their potent flavor. [4]
Juniper Berries
A quarter teaspoon of dried juniper berries can give a dish the same type of bite and savory sweetness and is a popular replacement for bay leaves in lighter dishes. [5]
