Substitute for Italian Seasoning: Ratios and Best Uses

By The Recipes by Mom kitchen · Last checked October 21, 2026 · Not kitchen-tested; see how our recipes are made

A common substitute for Italian seasoning is a home blend. To make it, mix equal parts of dried basil, oregano, and thyme, then add a smaller amount of rosemary and marjoram to taste. This mixture can replace the store-bought version in many recipes that call for it, from pasta sauces to roasted chicken.

Italian seasoning is a convenience blend of dried herbs common in American kitchens. The specific herbs and their proportions can vary, but the mix usually centers on oregano and basil. Most versions do not contain salt, though it is a good practice to check the product label to be sure.

Substitutes for Italian seasoning (per 1 teaspoon)

Ratios are common kitchen equivalents; results vary by recipe, so try a swap in a forgiving recipe first.

Good to know

• Italian seasoning is a dried herb blend; it contains no salt unless the label says so

How to choose the right Italian seasoning substitute

Choosing a substitute depends on what you have available and the dish you are making. Each option offers a slightly different character.

• Home blend: Combining equal amounts of dried basil, oregano, and thyme gives you the core of Italian seasoning. Adding a little rosemary and marjoram rounds out the blend. This is a flexible option because you can adjust the amounts of each herb to suit your preference. It is a suitable all purpose substitute.
• Herbes de Provence: This French herb blend can be used as a 1 for 1 substitute. It shares many herbs with Italian seasoning, like thyme and rosemary, but often includes others. Some versions of Herbes de Provence contain lavender, which will add a distinct floral note that is not typical for Italian seasoning. It works well with chicken and vegetables.
• Oregano and basil: For a very simple two ingredient swap, use a mix of half dried oregano and half dried basil. This combination provides the foundational herbs of Italian seasoning and is a good choice for tomato based sauces where those two herbs are often the most prominent.

Swaps by recipe type

While a home blend is a versatile choice, certain substitutes work well in specific dishes.

For pasta sauces, pizza, and other tomato heavy recipes, the main flavors in Italian seasoning are oregano and basil. A simple mix of half oregano and half basil is often enough to get the desired result. The more complex home blend with thyme, rosemary, and marjoram is also a good choice for these dishes and for seasoning chicken.

When roasting chicken or vegetables, Herbes de Provence is a suitable substitute. Its profile is different from Italian seasoning, especially if it contains lavender, but it complements these foods well. Always taste as you cook, as the final result will be different from what you would get with a standard Italian seasoning blend.

What changes when you swap

When you substitute for Italian seasoning, you change the herb profile of your dish. Since Italian seasoning is a blend, no single dried herb can replace it. Using a different blend or creating your own will alter the final taste.

A simple mix of oregano and basil will have a less complex character than a full Italian seasoning blend. Using Herbes de Provence may introduce floral notes from lavender, which is not found in Italian seasoning. Even when you make your own blend, the result will depend on the freshness and strength of your individual dried herbs.

Because of these potential differences, we suggest adding a smaller amount of the substitute at first. You can taste the dish and add more as needed to get the right balance for your recipe.

Sources and method

• Substitution ratios: common equivalents from US university extension substitution tables and standard cookbooks, cross-checked by the editors

Last checked October 21, 2026.