The flavor of dill weed is quite unique due to its earthy and almost grassy essence. It is a very fragrant herb that provides a great addition to Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. If your recipe calls for dill but you don’t have any, there are some great Dill Substitutes you can use.
It is popularly used in yogurt sauces and potato salads as well as breads and crackers. Dill also works nicely on any kind of seafood, and lamb.
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Dill vs Dill Weed
Dill weed is classified as the leaf and stem of the dill plant while dill seed is the actual “seed” which is in fact the fruit of the plant. Dill seed usually tends to be more pungent with a somewhat bitter flavor in comparison to dill weed whose flavor is lighter and more delicate.
What is Dill Pollen?
Dill pollen has quite a strong dill flavor. It provides more of a floral and zesty taste compared to dill weed or dill seed. Since this herb is so powerful, it is needed in just a small amount to create a nice dill flavor on your vegetables or seafood. However, dill pollen should be used as the finishing touches on a dish as it is easy to cook away the flavor.
Dill brings a wonderful freshness to recipes for Chicken Gyros and German Cucumber Salad. Don’t worry if you don’t have dill weed on hand. Just choose one of the dill substitutes listed below to give your dish an equally fresh taste.
Best Dill Substitutes
Tarragon
Tarragon is a great alternative to use in seafood dishes and dressings.
1 teaspoon dried tarragon = 1 tablespoon fresh dill
Fennel
Dill and fennel are similar in appearance but not as similar in taste. Fennel fronds have a flavor close to licorice and are subtly sweet. Use fennel to substitute for dill as a garnish.
Use as a 1:1 substitute.
Thyme
Thyme makes a nice dill substitute to use in marinades for meat and fish. Its flavor is more pungent than dill as it comes from the mint family. It is still popularly used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Unlike dill, its flavor does not diminish as it is cooked, which makes it great to use with foods that need to be roasted, grilled, or stewed.
Start with a small amount and add more as needed.
Parsley
Parsley is another herb known for its freshness that can be a substitute for dill as a garnish. It does not look quite the same as fennel but it will still provide some fresh green to perfectly top off your dish.
Use as a 1:1 substitute.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another Mediterranean herb that can be subbed for dill. Its floral notes make it great for seasoning potatoes and dressings. Rosemary can also be used for flavoring meats and sauces.
Use as a 1:1 substitute in recipes that don’t heavily require dill.
Basil
Basil’s versatility makes it useful across many different cuisines and it makes a nice dill substitute to add flavor to meat, soups and stews.
For fresh basil, use as a 1:1 substitute. For dried basil, start with only half the amount.
Bay Leaf
Bay leaves pair nicely with various meats and slow-cooked soups and stews. They provide a warm and intense flavor while also offering various nutrients such as vitamins A and C and iron and potassium.
Simply throw in a couple leaves as your dish is cooking but remember to fish them out before serving.
Mint
Mint has a very particular taste that can be described as bright and grassy. It is popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. When using mint as a dill substitute, it works best in dressings and yogurt-based dips and makes a good pairing with recipes that use lemon.
Use just a bit to begin and add more as desired.
Oregano
The unique flavor of oregano pairs well with pizza, pasta, soups, and stews. Use it to sub for dill in marinades for meat and dressings.
Start with just a bit then taste before adding more.
Substitutes for Dill Seeds
It’s not the best option to use dill seeds as an alternative for dill as the seeds are much stronger in flavor. However, if your recipe specifically requires dill seeds and you need a replacement, here are a few options that work better.
Caraway Seeds
Caraway seeds are similar to dill due to their anise flavor which makes them a good substitute. Use caraway seeds to replace dill seed in soups with a cream-base and when cooking cabbage.
Use as a 1:1 substitute.
Celery Seeds
Celery seeds have a flavor that is grassy and earthy while also being somewhat bitter. Celery seeds work great in things like coleslaw and potato salad and dry rubs for meat.
Use as a 1:1 substitute.
Can you Substitute Fresh Dill for Dried Dill?
Fresh dill can easily be substituted for dried. In general, use 1 tablespoon of fresh dill to replace 1 teaspoon of dried dill.
Note that you’ll need to add fresh dill at the end as the flavor of dill is lost when cooked.
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