Can You Substitute Mexican Oregano?

You can replace the herb spoonful-to-spoonful with another dried herb (Mexican oregano is always dried). Try dried marjoram (also from the origanum family, but similar to Mexican oregano in its citrusy, floral ways) or dried verbena. Or go ahead and use dried Mediterranean oregano—just use a little less.

Can I substitute Mexican oregano for regular?

You can substitute oregano for Mexican oregano, but the taste may be different from what you’re looking for. Mexican oregano, in fact, tends to be stronger and earthier, so less is more if you’re substituting it for traditional oregano.

What can you use in place of Mexican oregano?

Marjoram
Marjoram is a closer substitute to the actual flavor of Mexican oregano. In fact, it is sometimes called Mexican marjoram or Mexican wild sage. If you miss the citrus notes of the spice, you can add a pinch of coriander.

What if I don’t have Mexican oregano?

Marjoram is the best Mexican oregano substitute. Marjoram is a better substitute for Mexican oregano than even Greek oregano is because the flavor profile is more similar.

Is Mexican oregano different than regular oregano?

For starters, Mexican “oregano” is a bit of a misnomer. The oregano used in Mediterranean cuisine, and what I would call “true oregano,” is part of the mint family and is closely related to marjoram, whereas Mexican oregano is actually part of the verbena family.

Is Cilantro Mexican oregano?

Cilantro. Just like the Mexican oregano, this familiar herb is popular in the Southwest United States and Central America. Cilantro is mainly used in Mexican dishes like this corn and bean tacos recipe. The Mexican herb will give you a more darker and robust flavor.

Can I use Italian seasoning instead of oregano?

If you’re substituting oregano for an Italian dish, you can use Italian seasoning mix. Oregano is one of the main ingredients in these seasoning blends, so it will fit right in with your dish. Use as a 1 to 1 substitute. Just be sure to adjust the other seasonings and herbs accordingly!

Why is Mexican oregano different?

Mexican Oregano is from a different plant, indigenous to Mexico, and maintains a more woodsy, earthy flavor than Mediterranean Oregano. Mediterranean Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is part of the mint family. Mexican Oregano, Lippia graveolens, is more closely related to the vervain family than to mint.

What is Mexican oregano called in Spanish?

orégano
But then along comes yet another wonderful oregano wannabe: Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens)—also called orégano in Spanish—a member of the Verbenaceae, or verbena family.

Can I use basil instead of oregano?

Fresh or Dried Basil
Basil is the perfect one to use! You can use equal parts of fresh or dried basil in replacement for fresh or dried oregano. It’s preferably used in Mediterranean cuisine.

Is Mexican oregano spicy?

Mexican oregano has similar undertones or base flavor as Mediterranean oregano but that’s where the flavor similarities stop. You’ll find it to have a mild licorice taste in addition to a vague citrus flavor. It is generally used in conjunction with other Mexican spices like cumin and chili peppers.

Can I use parsley instead of oregano?

It offers a dynamic flavor because of its relatively strong aroma and taste. It can enhance any dish because of its savory characteristic. Because it can be a strong ingredient, you can use the same amount of parsley as oregano called for in the recipe.

What does Mexican oregano taste like?

Mexican oregano, on the other hand, is from a different plant family altogether, Verbenaceae. You’ll also find Lemon Verbena in this family, so as you would expect Mexican Oregano has similar citrus-like undertones. It also might taste more grassy or earthy to you.

Is Mexican mint and oregano same?

While its primary common name makes it sound like this plant comes from the Caribbean island, Cuban oregano is a plant known by many other names as well, including Mexican mint, Spanish (or French) thyme, and Indian borage.

What spice is closest to oregano?

This is an especially great choice for seasoning potatoes, beans, or even salad dressings. What is this? While you can substitute fresh or dried thyme for oregano, fresh thyme is a particularly great substitution. The leaves that come from the thyme plant have the closest resemblance to fresh oregano.

What can I use in place of dried oregano?

Three great combinations which work as a good substitute for oregano are basil and marjoram, basil and parsley, or marjoram and thyme.

Can cilantro replace oregano?

Each cuisine is profoundly impacted by the herbs common to the region. There will come a time, however, when you simply have to find a substitute for an herb in a recipe.
Herb Substitutions.

Basil	Oregano or thyme
Cilantro	Parsley
Italian Seasoning	Blend any of these: basil, oregano, rosemary, and ground red pepper

Is Mexican oregano the same as epazote?

Mexican oregano is not the same as Epazote. The two herbs come from different plants and they have different flavor profiles. The leaves of Epazote have a scent that is like turpentine or creosote. The flavor of Epazote is citrus, savory, and minty.

Can Mexican oregano be eaten?

Mexican oregano is a delicious, leafy herb that is frequently used in Mexican cuisine. More flavorful than its European cousin, it can be grown as an annual and easily harvested and stored for year round use.

What are the benefits of Mexican oregano?

Mexican oregano contains volatile compounds like thymol and eucalyptol, bringing the scents of thyme and eucalyptus, along with carvacrol, which gives the herb the warm aroma of oregano. These compounds are beneficial to overall health, and also have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Can you substitute thyme for oregano?

Fresh or dried, oregano makes a great thyme substitute. The flavours are very similar, both being in the mint family, and it’s an almost imperceptible switch. You can use oregano for thyme in virtually any recipe, no matter what type of cuisine it is.