Herbs de Provence is a popular savory blend of dried herbs that is commonly used to flavor a variety of dishes and recipes, especially those featuring vegetables, chicken, or pork. It originates from the French region of Provence and typically contains rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and marjoram.
If you’re looking for an alternative to this blend in specific recipes, there are many other herbal combinations that can provide the same flavors without using Herbs de Provence. Depending on taste preference and what’s available in your pantry, you can create alternative herb blends that will provide similar flavor profiles. Consider combining one or more of the following herbs: sage, savory, bay leaves or tarragon to create unique flavors. With some exploration and experimentation you may even be able to make your own herb blends using ingredients from your pantry that promise delicious results!
What is Herbs de Provence?
Herbs de Provence is a combination of dried herbs typically used in the Provence region of France. The combination of herbs varies from region to region and from recipe to recipe, but commonly includes core ingredients such as lavender, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage and marjoram.
Herbs de Provence is usually added at the beginning of a dish to allow maximum flavor absorption while cooking. It can also be added at the end to finish off dishes with a light herb flavor. Such dishes include omelettes, grills, roast chicken and other poultry, salmagundi (a mix of meat or fish and vegetables), soups such as minestrone or bouillabaisse, pizza toppings and other sauces like tomato sauce.
If you don’t have Herbs de Provence in your pantry there are some substitutions which you can use for similar results – although none will have exactly the same flavor profile as this classic herbed seasoning blend:
-Italian Seasoning
-A mix of equal parts dried oregano and basil
-A mix of equal parts dried parsley and thyme
-Dried Herbes de la Garrigue (thyme, savory & rosemary)
When using any substitution for Herbes de Provence it is important to remember that some ingredients can overpower in flavor when substituted for longer cooking recipes such as roasts or stews. It is recommended that you cut down the amount suggested to more subtle amounts that suit your taste preferences instead.
Substitutes for Herbs de Provence
Herbs de Provence is a fragrant blend of herbs that is commonly used in french cuisine. This herb blend typically includes rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano, and basil. If you don’t have this particular herb blend on hand, there are other herbs and spices you can use to give your dish a similar flavor profile. Let’s take a look at some possible substitutes for herbs de Provence.
Dried oregano, basil, and thyme
Herbs de Provence is a blend of dried herbs that originated in southeastern France. It is typically made of marjoram, thyme, savory, rosemary, oregano and lavender. Though its flavor profile can vary based on the creator’s style, it generally has a fragrant aroma and complex flavor that can be used to enhance a variety of dishes.
If you don’t have access to Herbs de Provence, there are some substitutes that can be used in place of this aromatic blend of herbs. The most common substitute would be to mix together equal parts dried oregano, basil, and thyme. This combination gives you the same complexity of flavors as Herbs de Provence but with different nuances in each herb. Each herb should be added separately and blended together until fully incorporated. Be careful not to use too much oregano as it can overpower the other flavors if added in excess. You can also swap out oregano for marjoram if desired for a more authentic substitute.
This substitute won’t give you the same aroma from the lavender present in the original mix; however, it does still provide an aromatic base for any dish that calls for Herbs de Provence – perfect for adding a subtle hint of flavor without overwhelming other ingredients in your cooking!
Italian seasoning
Italian seasoning is a popular substitute for the classic French herbs de Provence blend. Italian seasoning typically contains oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme – much like the typical ingredients of Herbs de Provence. The primary difference lies in the ratio of each ingredient within either blend; for instance, most Italian seasonings contain more oregano than Herbs de Provence. While Herbs de Provence also may contain savory and lavender, Italian seasoning does not include these two ingredients in its blend.
Besides using Italian seasoning as a direct sub for herbs de provence, there are other ways to use it as a flavor enhancer with similar purposes. Common spices such as garlic powder and onion powder can be combined with it to give dishes an earthy balance. Another option is using crushed bay leaves with a combination of thyme and rosemary to add a hint of sage-like flavor found in much French cuisine.
Ultimately, when substituting herbs de Provence with Italian seasonings or other flavorful options such as bay leaves, you may find that you need to add other common essential spices like garlic powder or onion powder to achieve the right balance of flavor.
Herbes de France
Herbes de France, also known as Fines Herbes, is a classic blend of French herbs renowned for its aromatic complexity and nose-tickling flavor. The herb blend typically consists of equal parts of fresh parsley, chervil, chives, and tarragon. However, the exact mixture of herbs may vary among manufacturers.
Herbes de Provence is a similar French blend of spices known for its distinctive scent and taste traditionally used in Mediterranean cooking pans. Usually this herb blend contains thyme, basil, savory (also known as summer savory), laurel leaves (bay leaves) oregano and rosemary.
When these herbs are not available or hard to find in certain areas or markets the following alternatives with similar tastes and flavors can be used:
-Equal parts sage plus thyme or rosemary
-Equal parts garlic powder plus dried oregano
-Equal parts garlic powder plus dried marjoram
-Equal parts ground bay leaf plus dried basil or tarragon
-Equal parts ground summer savory plus dried parsley flakes
Greek seasoning
Greek seasoning is a great substitute for herbes de Provence because it contains much of the same herbs and spices, including savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and rosemary. You can try blending all or some of the herbs and spices together to make your own version of herbes de Provence. Other herbs or spices such as bay leaves, basil or lavender can be added in to give the mix a more distinct flavor.
Greek seasoning is popular for grilling steak and making Greek-inspired dishes like gyros and souvlaki. It adds depth of flavor to grilled fish and chicken as well. Greek seasoning can also be used in stews, soups, dressings and sauces to give them an extra flavor boost.
