A pleasant and sweet-smelling herb such as marjoram is not that easy to come across, but when it does, it sure is worth it. As a member of the mint family, the addition of marjoram to a dish brings out its fresh and sweet taste, which goes well with spicy foods, as it easily balances spices. It is one of the major herbs that is used for salad dressing and sauces. Being rich in a variety of minerals and vitamins, consumption of marjoram is often linked with a long list of benefits that includes good cardiovascular health or reduced free-radical concentration (thus reducing the risk of free-radical damage).
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Substitutes For Marjoram
As mentioned, marjoram is not as easily available as some other herbs and spices. However, there are a lot of other herbs that’ll make sure that you don’t miss out on marjoram even if you don’t have it. Here is the list of herbs that’ll be an effective stand-in ingredient in case marjoram isn’t available:
1. Oregano
Oregano is, in fact, quite an obvious choice if you are looking for a substitute for marjoram since both of them belong to the same family. The only difference between the two is based on taste. Upon adding oregano, the mild floral and woody taste of marjoram is replaced by the pungent and spicy taste of oregano. Thus, oregano could be an effective stand-in for marjoram if you are okay to up the spice quotient a bit.
Also Read: Benefits Of Oregano Oil | Side-Effects | How To Use
2. Basil
Basil is another popular herb that is used to enhance the taste and aroma of a dish. It can prove to be a healthy and efficient substitute for marjoram as it has similar nutritional value along with that sweet woodsy flavor. Basil, just like marjoram, is rich in vitamins and minerals, thus, differentiating between the two based on their beneficial nature is completely out of question.
3. Thyme
Thyme, an evergreen herb that is related to oregano, has the same sweet taste to it. Belonging to the mint family, its flavor lasts for long even after cooking for a long time. The beneficial claims stand undisputed, as it has been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries.
4. Dried Savory
The addition of savory into your dish may help in making the dish more tasteful and aromatic. However, it may not have the same sweet taste as marjoram; it is still an effective substitute that proves to be flavorful and healthy.
5. Sage
Sage is a popular substitute for marjoram that has a pine-like flavor and is a little bitter.
6. Za’atar
Unlike any other item in the list, za’atar is a prepared condiment that is a mix of herbs along with toasted sesame seeds and other such items. So, I guess there is no need to argue about its ability to intensify the taste of a dish along with its aroma.
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The substitutes of marjoram are quite easy to come across as compared to marjoram itself. And in the end, if you are looking for something that can make your dish more tasteful apart from marjoram, then add any one of these herbs and it might just do the trick.