Out of Holy basil, one case
Holy basil substitutes
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Thai basil
Same amount as the holy basil
The best holy basil substitutes are Thai Basil, Regular Basil, Mint, and Cilantro. Use 1:1 ratio. For the best flavor, try Thai basil or regular basil, depending on your dish.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- Asian dishes
One casethe full basil card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of holy basil | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thai basilAsian dishes | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Regular basilmost applications | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | MintAsian dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | CilantroAsian dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | TarragonFrench dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Thai basil
similar taste and texture
Thai basil provides a similar aromatic, slightly spicy flavor to holy basil. Good for Asian dishes, curries, and stir-fries where you want a robust herb presence.
- Best for
- Asian dishes, curries, stir-fries, when you want spicy flavor, robust herbs
Thai basil has a similar aromatic quality to holy basil but with a milder taste. It works well in most applications where holy basil is used.
Regular basil
different taste, similar texture
Regular basil provides a similar sweet, slightly minty flavor to holy basil. Good for most applications where you want a basil-like herb presence.
- Best for
- most applications, when you want basil flavor, general cooking, Italian dishes, Mediterranean cooking
Regular basil has a similar sweet flavor to holy basil but with a milder taste. It works well in most applications where holy basil is used.
Mint
different taste, similar texture
Mint provides a similar fresh, aromatic flavor to holy basil. Good for Asian dishes, salads, and drinks where you want a refreshing herb presence.
- Best for
- Asian dishes, salads, drinks, when you want fresh flavor, refreshing herbs
Mint has a similar fresh quality to holy basil but with a more pronounced minty flavor. It works well in many applications where holy basil is used.
Cilantro
different taste, similar texture
Cilantro provides a similar fresh, slightly citrusy flavor to holy basil. Good for Asian dishes, salsas, and garnishes where you want a bright herb presence.
- Best for
- Asian dishes, salsas, garnishes, when you want citrusy flavor, bright herbs
Cilantro has a similar fresh quality to holy basil but with a more pronounced citrusy flavor. It works well in many applications where holy basil is used.
Tarragon
different taste, similar texture
Tarragon provides a similar anise-like, slightly sweet flavor to holy basil. Good for French dishes, sauces, and dressings where you want a unique, aromatic herb presence.
- Best for
- French dishes, sauces, dressings, when you want anise flavor, aromatic herbs
Tarragon has a similar aromatic quality to holy basil but with a more pronounced anise flavor. It works well in many applications where holy basil is used.
How holy basil compares
Holy basil is a popular herb with a spicy, aromatic flavor that's commonly used in Asian cuisine. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar aromatic qualities and can be used in the same applications, though they may offer different flavor profiles that can enhance or change the character of your dishes.
Tips for substituting holy basil
5 tips- For holy basil, consider the cooking method - fresh herbs work best in raw applications, while dried herbs work well in cooked dishes
- When substituting in Asian dishes, Thai basil or regular basil work well as substitutes for holy basil
- For curries and stir-fries, Thai basil or cilantro work best as substitutes for holy basil
- In salads and garnishes, mint or cilantro work well as substitutes for holy basil
- For the best results, consider the flavor profile of your dish when choosing a substitute
Notes on holy basil
- For a completely different approach, try using other herbs like sage or rosemary
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different herbs to achieve a similar flavor profile
- For Asian dishes, consider using other aromatic herbs like lemongrass or galangal
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for holy basil?
Thai basil, regular basil, and mint work well as substitutes for holy basil. Use a 1:1 ratio and consider the flavor profile of your dish when choosing.
Can I use Thai basil instead of holy basil?
Yes, Thai basil can substitute for holy basil using a 1:1 ratio. It has a similar aromatic quality, making it good for most applications.
What's the difference between holy basil and Thai basil?
Holy basil has a more pronounced spicy flavor and is often used in Asian cuisine, while Thai basil has a milder, sweeter flavor and is commonly used in Thai dishes.
Can I substitute regular basil for holy basil?
Yes, regular basil can substitute for holy basil using a 1:1 ratio. It has a similar sweet quality, though it has a milder taste.
Do I need to adjust cooking times when substituting for holy basil?
Generally no, as most herb substitutes have similar cooking properties. However, consider that some herbs may lose flavor more quickly when cooked.