Italian seasoning substitutes
Italian seasoning substitutes — 9 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Homemade Italian seasoning
Same amount as the Italian seasoning
Custom blend of dried Italian herbs.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- all uses
Updated 3 Oct 2026 · no sponsored swaps
But first: what’s the Italian seasoning doing?
Pick your caseWhich dried herbs are actually in your cupboard?
Mix your own and it is not a substitute at all, it is the same thing. Equal parts dried basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary is the standard formula; marjoram and a little sage are common additions. Make extra and keep it in a jar.
Notes on homemade Italian seasoning or mixed herbs
Same amount
A single herb still works, because each of these is a real Italian-seasoning note rather than a stand-in for one. Match the character to the dish: oregano for pizza, tomato sauce and anything baked, basil for a lighter sauce, a dressing or courgettes. Oregano is much stronger than the blend, so use about 2/3 as much; basil is milder, so use it measure for measure or a little more.
2/3 × the amount
Both land in the right neighbourhood and can go in measure for measure. Herbes de Provence brings thyme, rosemary, marjoram and savory - most of the blend - but many versions include lavender, which turns floral and soapy if you use a heavy hand, so start with ¾ of the amount and taste. Pizza seasoning is oregano-forward and often contains garlic, onion and salt, so hold back on the salt in the recipe until you have tasted the dish.
Notes on Herbes de Provence or pizza seasoning
Same amount
Use three times as much - 1 tbsp chopped fresh for every 1 tsp of dried - because dried herbs are concentrated. Timing flips as well: dried herbs go in early to soften and open up, fresh herbs go in during the last few minutes or their aroma cooks off. Woody ones like rosemary and thyme can take longer heat; basil should go in at the very end.
Notes on fresh herbs
1 tbsp fresh per 1 tsp dried
None of these taste Italian, and one of them will ruin the dish. Poultry seasoning is built on sage, which is loud and reads as roast dinner and stuffing rather than pasta - use at most half as much, and only in a meat sauce or a meatball, never in a bright tomato sauce. Fines herbes is chervil, chives, parsley and tarragon; the tarragon brings aniseed and the delicate herbs collapse under any real heat, so use it raw in a dressing if at all. Mixed spice, sometimes labelled mixed spices, is a sweet baking blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove - it is not a herb blend and does not belong in a savoury Italian dish at any amount. If that is genuinely all you have, leave the seasoning out and lean on garlic, black pepper and a bay leaf instead.
Notes on poultry seasoning, fines herbes or mixed spices
½ × the amount
Italian seasoning does exactly one job: it is a dried herb aroma - oregano and basil in front, thyme and rosemary behind. It is not salty, not hot, and adds no colour, so a swap only has to get the herb character right.
Aroma & flavor identityprimary
Oregano's pungency and basil's sweetness are what make food taste Italian; thyme and rosemary fill in underneath. Because the herbs are dried, they need time and moisture to open up, so add the blend early to a sauce rather than at the end, and rub it between your palms as it goes in to break up the leaf and release more flavour. Most supermarket blends contain no salt, but a few do - check the label before swapping in something salted, or you will season the dish twice.
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Italian seasoning | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homemade Italian seasoningall uses | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Oreganopizza | 2/3 × the amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Basilpasta | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Herbes de Provencecooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Pizza seasoningpizza | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 6 | Fresh herbsgarnishes | 1 tbsp fresh per 1 tsp driedTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Mixed herbspasta | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 8 | Poultry seasoningmeat sauce | ½ × the amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 9 | Fines herbesraw dressings | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| Not a swap | Mixed spices | not a swapNot for this | Not for this |
Homemade Italian seasoning
similar taste and texture
Custom blend of dried Italian herbs.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- all uses, customizing flavor, fresh herbs
Mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary; add marjoram if you have it.
Oregano
different taste, similar texture
Primary herb in Italian seasoning blend.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- pizza, pasta, sauces, marinades
Stronger than the blend: use about 2/3 as much.
Basil
different taste, similar texture
Sweet, aromatic herb common in Italian cooking.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- pasta, pizza, sauces, salads
Milder than oregano, adds sweetness.
Herbes de Provence
similar taste and texture
French herb blend with similar Mediterranean herbs.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- cooking, marinades, roasted vegetables
Similar flavor profile, may include lavender.
Pizza seasoning
similar taste and texture
Pre-mixed blend designed for pizza and Italian dishes.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- pizza, pasta, Italian dishes
Similar to Italian seasoning, may include additional spices.
Fresh herbs
similar taste, different texture
Fresh herbs with more vibrant flavor.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- garnishes, finishing dishes, salads
Use 3 times the amount of dried herbs.
Mixed herbs
different taste, similar texture
Similar herb blend with different composition.
- Covers
- Aroma & flavor identity
- Best for
- pasta, pizza, marinades, rubs
Different composition, similar flavor.
Poultry seasoning
different taste, similar texture
Sage-led blend that reads as roast dinner and stuffing rather than Italian.
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- meat sauce, meatballs
At most half the amount, and only in a meat sauce or meatballs, never in a bright tomato sauce.
Fines herbes
different taste, similar texture
Chervil, chives, parsley and tarragon: delicate herbs with an aniseed note, not an Italian blend.
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- raw dressings
The delicate herbs collapse under heat and the tarragon tastes of aniseed; use it raw in a dressing if at all.
Mixed spices
different taste, similar texture
Sweet baking blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove, not a herb blend.
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- nothing that calls for Italian seasoning
Leave the seasoning out and lean on garlic, black pepper and a bay leaf instead.
Questions
7 questionsCan I make my own Italian seasoning?
Yes, you can make Italian seasoning by mixing dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. This allows you to control the flavor profile and freshness.
What's the difference between Italian seasoning and herbes de Provence?
Italian seasoning focuses on Italian herbs like basil and oregano, while herbes de Provence is a French blend that may include lavender and other Provençal herbs.
Can I use just oregano instead of Italian seasoning?
Yes, oregano is the primary herb in Italian seasoning, so it can work as a substitute, though you'll miss the complexity of the other herbs in the blend.
Why does my Italian seasoning taste different?
Different brands have varying ratios of herbs. Some are more oregano-heavy, others more basil-heavy. The age and quality of the herbs also affects the flavor.
Can I use herbes de Provence instead of Italian seasoning?
Yes, herbes de Provence is a good substitute for Italian seasoning. It has a different composition but similar flavor and can be used in most recipes.
Can I use mixed herbs instead of Italian seasoning?
Yes, mixed herbs can work as a substitute, though they may have a different composition. They provide similar flavor and can be used in most recipes.
Why is Italian seasoning so popular in cooking?
Italian seasoning is popular because it adds Mediterranean herb flavor and is versatile in many different types of cuisine and dishes.
Tips for substituting Italian seasoning
10 tips- Italian seasoning adds Mediterranean flavor to dishes
- Different brands have varying herb ratios - taste before using
- Italian seasoning pairs well with garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes
- Add Italian seasoning early in cooking to develop flavor
- Italian seasoning works well in marinades and rubs
- Store Italian seasoning in a cool, dark place for best flavor
- Italian seasoning adds Mediterranean herb flavor to dishes
- Italian seasoning works well in Italian and Mediterranean cuisines
- Italian seasoning can be used to make pasta sauces and marinades
- Store Italian seasoning in a cool, dry place