Looking for a substitute for dill? Dill is an herb that is often used to add flavor to foods. It is a popular ingredient in pickles and sauces, but it also works well with vegetables, poultry, and salads.
However, dill can be hard to find in some parts of the world. It can also be expensive to buy in some supermarkets.
If a recipe calls for dill and you find yourself without any on hand, this article includes several options that can be used as effective substitutes for dill.
What Is Dill?
Dill, sometimes called dill weed, is a perennial herb that comes from the same family as parsley and celery. It has a delicate flavor that is somewhat like caraway with anise-like overtones.
Dill is a versatile herb that combines well with fish, eggs, potatoes, rice, and poultry. You can also use it to flavor pickles, soups, sauces, salads, and vegetables.
Dill Substitutes
1. Caraway
Caraway has a flavor that is very similar to dill, although it is a bit stronger. When using caraway as a substitute, use half the amount that is called for in your recipe.
2. Anise Seeds
This is an obvious choice for any cook who doesn’t have dill leaves on hand but has anise seeds. To substitute anise seeds for dill, use 1/2 teaspoon of crushed anise seeds for every tablespoon of dill leaves called for in your recipe.
3. Fennel
Fennel has a stronger flavor than dill, so use half the amount that your recipe calls for dill to get the exact taste. In addition, this herb tastes best when used fresh, so use it at the last moment of cooking or add it to dishes raw.
SEE: Use Any of These Fennel Seed Substitutes to Save Your Next Recipe
4. Chervil
This herb is another great substitute for dill because it has a mild flavor that goes well with many dishes. Although it is most commonly used in garnishes and salads, you can use it in any dish that calls for dill.
Use half the amount of chervil for the amount of dill called for in your recipe. However, if you’re using it as part of a recipe where the anise-like flavor is important, then you should use the same amount so as not to ruin the taste.
5. Tarragon
Tarragon is another great substitute for dill. This herb has a slight anise-like flavor, making it especially good for fish and chicken. Use half the amount of tarragon for the amount of dill called for in your recipe.
SEE: Tarragon Substitutes You Probably Already Have In Your Kitchen
6. Parsley
Parsley has a milder flavor than dill, but it can still work in any dish that calls for dill. It also has a hint of sweetness that makes it especially suitable for sauces, soups, and rice dishes.
When substituting parsley for dill, use double the amount of parsley for the amount of dill called for in your recipe.
7. Celery Seed
You can also use celery seed as an alternative to dill. It has a similar appearance, though it is more oval-shaped than oblong.
To substitute celery seed for dill, use 1/2 teaspoon of ground celery seed for every tablespoon of dill called for in your recipe. Celery seed also has a warm, earthy flavor with hints of parsley, making it perfect for salad recipes.
8. Thyme
Thyme produces a similar flavor to dill, but it is much more pungent. It can work as a dill replacement in many dishes, ranging from soups to sauces and more.
To use thyme as a substitute for dill, use equal amounts as what your recipe specifies for dill. If you find the taste of thyme too strong, you can try using half the amount called for in the recipe.
SEE: Easy Ways to Add More Flavor to Your Food Without Using Thyme
9. Chives
As with most herbs, chives are a great substitute for dill because they add a fresh flavor to any dish. They also have an oniony aroma, which makes them perfect for cream cheese dips and potato salads.
10. Basil
Basil is another suitable substitute for dill. It has an herbal flavor that is stronger than dill, so consider using it as a 1:3 replacement for dill in dishes.
This means that you should use three times less than what your recipe calls for in dill. To keep things simple, use one teaspoon of basil for one tablespoon of dill.
11. Rosemary
This is a good substitute for dill, but it depends on what you’re making. Rosemary has a strong flavor that could work in some dishes, but not others.
I suggest swapping them in a recipe that calls for other powerful ingredients to mask the difference. For example, using rosemary instead of dill in a potato salad won’t work well because the potatoes would highlight the difference between the two herbs.
However, using rosemary instead of dill in a beef stew would give you great results because the other ingredients would mask the difference in flavor. If you want to try substituting rosemary for dill, use half the amount as what your recipe calls for dill.
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12. Mint
Mint can be used in place of dill in some recipes. The flavor is similar but different enough that it won’t taste the same as a recipe that calls for dill.
That said, if you’re really in a pinch, substituting mint for dill is better than nothing at all. Use 1/2 tablespoon of mint for every tablespoon of dill called for in your recipe.
13. Cilantro
Cilantro might seem like an odd choice, but this herb pairs well with fish, poultry, and potatoes – just like dill. Remember to only use a small amount because cilantro has a strong taste that can easily overpower the rest of your dish if you overuse it.
14. Marjoram
Marjoram’s flavor is similar to dill but milder. It’s often used with vegetables and in salad dressings. If you’re using marjoram as a substitute for dill, you’ll need to use a little more to get the same amount of flavor as dill.
15. Sage
Sage is a good substitute for dill in fish dishes and cream sauces. It adds a mild, herbal bitterness that’s similar to the flavor of dill leaves. To substitute sage for dill in your recipes, use 1/2 teaspoon of sage in place of 1 teaspoon of dill.
SEE: Fenugreek Leaves Substitutes That You Probably Already Have In Your Kitchen
16. Savory
Savory is an aromatic herb with a peppery, slightly bitter taste. It is most commonly used to flavor poultry and beans, but you can also use it as a substitute for dill in any recipe.
Savory comes in two varieties: summer savory, which is an annual plant with small leaves; and winter savory, which is a perennial plant with large leaves. Both varieties have the same flavor, so you can use them interchangeably when substituting them for dill.
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Why Does Dill Need Substitutes?
There are several reasons why dill needs substitutes. You may not have dill in your pantry, or you may have some, but just don’t care for the flavor of dill. Also, dill is expensive in many supermarkets, so buying it may not be cost-effective.
FAQs
Can you substitute dried dill for fresh dill?
Yes, you can. To substitute dried dill for fresh dill, use 1/2 tablespoon of dried dill for every tablespoon of fresh dill called for in your recipe.
Dried herbs are more potent than fresh, so only use half as much dried as you would fresh when substituting dried dill for fresh dill.
Where can you buy dill?
You can buy dill in several places. If you want fresh dill, go to your local farmers’ market or the produce section of your grocery store. If you want dried dill, go to the spice section of your grocery store or purchase it online.
Can you grow dill at home?
Yes, you can. Dill is a very easy plant to grow indoors and outdoors depending on where you live. If you want to grow dill at home, you can buy dill seeds or a seedling (baby plant) at your local nursery or farmers’ market.
Can you use celery seed as a substitute for dill in pickles recipes?
Yes, you can. Celery seed is a common ingredient in pickles recipes, where it adds an herbal flavor similar to dill. Use equal amounts as what your recipe specifies for dill.
Conclusion
Making a substitution for dill is easy because there are so many types of similar herbs and spices available. From caraway to anise seeds to savory, these herbs will work just as well as dill in most recipes.
Experimenting with them will help you find the perfect substitute for dill if it ever becomes unavailable to you or if you want to try something new.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Cheffist if you want to learn more about herbs and their substitutes.
