Out of Thai basil, one case
Thai basil substitutes, case by case
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Regular basil
Same amount as the Thai basil
The best Thai basil substitutes are Regular Basil, Mint, Cilantro, and Holy Basil. Use 1:1 ratio. For the best flavor, try regular basil or mint, depending on your dish.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- most applications
One casethe full basil card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Thai basil | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regular basilmost applications | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | MintAsian dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | CilantroAsian dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Holy basilAsian dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | TarragonFrench dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Regular basil
similar taste and texture
Regular basil provides a similar sweet, slightly minty flavor to Thai 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 Thai basil but with a milder taste. It works well in most applications where Thai basil is used.
Mint
different taste, similar texture
Mint provides a similar fresh, aromatic flavor to Thai 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 Thai basil but with a more pronounced minty flavor. It works well in many applications where Thai basil is used.
Cilantro
different taste, similar texture
Cilantro provides a similar fresh, slightly citrusy flavor to Thai 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 Thai basil but with a more pronounced citrusy flavor. It works well in many applications where Thai basil is used.
Holy basil
different taste, similar texture
Holy basil provides a similar aromatic, slightly spicy flavor to Thai 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
Holy basil has a similar aromatic quality to Thai basil but with a more pronounced spicy flavor. It works well in many applications where Thai basil is used.
Tarragon
different taste, similar texture
Tarragon provides a similar anise-like, slightly sweet flavor to Thai 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 Thai basil but with a more pronounced anise flavor. It works well in many applications where Thai basil is used.
How Thai basil compares
Thai basil is a popular herb with a sweet, slightly anise-like 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 Thai basil
5 tips- For Thai 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, regular basil or mint work well as substitutes for Thai basil
- For curries and stir-fries, holy basil or cilantro work best as substitutes for Thai basil
- In salads and garnishes, mint or cilantro work well as substitutes for Thai basil
- For the best results, consider the flavor profile of your dish when choosing a substitute
Notes on Thai 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 Thai basil?
Regular basil, mint, and cilantro work well as substitutes for Thai basil. Use a 1:1 ratio and consider the flavor profile of your dish when choosing.
Can I use regular basil instead of Thai basil?
Yes, regular basil can substitute for Thai basil using a 1:1 ratio. It has a similar sweet flavor, making it good for most applications.
What's the difference between Thai basil and regular basil?
Thai basil has a more pronounced anise flavor and is often used in Asian cuisine, while regular basil has a milder, sweeter flavor and is commonly used in Italian cuisine.
Can I substitute mint for Thai basil?
Yes, mint can substitute for Thai basil using a 1:1 ratio. It has a similar fresh quality, though it has a more pronounced minty flavor.
Do I need to adjust cooking times when substituting for Thai basil?
Generally no, as most herb substitutes have similar cooking properties. However, consider that some herbs may lose flavor more quickly when cooked.