5 Best Substitutes for Dill: How to Replace Dill and Match the Flavor in Any Dish
As a passionate home cook, I regularly rely on dill to add flavor to many dishes. The feathery green leaves and tangy seeds pack a tasty punch. However, dill may be hard to find or expensive depending on your location and the time of year. Don’t worry – you have plenty of options to recreate that dill taste!
In this article, I’ll explain what makes dill special and why you may need a substitute from time to time. I’ve researched the best alternatives that capture dill’s aroma and taste. You’ll learn key details about tarragon, fennel, thyme, rosemary, and caraway seeds so you can seamlessly incorporate them into recipes.
What Is Dill and Why Use It?
Dill is an aromatic herb that grows easily in most climates. The fern-like leaves and hollow stems give dill a delicate, wispy appearance. Dill belongs to the celery family and resembles mini celery stalks.
Both the leaves and seeds add tons of flavor. The feathery dill leaves have a sweet, grassy taste. Meanwhile, the seeds provide a powerfully concentrated, almost spicy flair. Dill pairs well with cucumbers, green beans, potatoes, fish, meat, and eggs.
Dill brightens up dishes from appetizers to main courses. It’s a star ingredient in deli-style potato salad and dips like tzatziki. Dill also jazzes up otherwise boring veggies. A sprinkling of fresh dill can take a salad from 0 to 100!
When cooking hearty dishes like beef stew or pot roast, dill offsets the richness. The zesty flavor cuts through the fat and brings out the flavors of the meat and vegetables. Fresh dill as a garnish adds a pop of color and freshness to complete a dish.
Dill is easy to grow yourself or find fresh in stores during spring and summer. However, the leaves lose flavor when dried. Meanwhile, the seeds take weeks to fully develop. For these reasons, I don’t always have fresh dill on hand.
5 Best Substitutes for Dill
When I need an alternative for dill, I turn to herbs and spices with similar notes. The licorice aroma of fennel and tarragon comes closest to replicating that dill flavor. Thyme and rosemary also work in a pinch. For a more intense punch, caraway seeds are an ideal replacement for dill seeds. Here are the details on my go-to stand-ins.
1. Fennel
Fennel is my number one choice to mimic the taste of dill. All parts of the fennel plant have a light anise or licorice flavor. The crunchy bulb has a texture similar to celery. Fennel fronds look nearly identical to dill.
I use fennel leaves in place of dill to season fish, lentils, pasta, and salads. The mild sweetness peppers soups or stews. Thinly sliced fennel bulbs add texture and bright notes to slaws and veggie sides.
2. Thyme
Thyme is another herb I regularly use when I’m out of fresh dill. Like dill, thyme belongs to the mint family and contains antioxidants. While the flavors differ, thyme has a comparable seasoning power.
A tiny bit of thyme goes a long way to add depth and dimension. I use thyme to make hearty Mediterranean dishes like lamb stew and roasted chicken. The woodsy aroma infuses oil and vinegar marinades. Unlike dill, thyme stands up to prolonged cooking without losing its flavor.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary is an intensely aromatic herb perfect for hearty meals. The piney, woodsy fragrance reminds me of dill. A light sprinkling is all you need to replicate that boldness.
Rosemary shines in Spanish, Italian, and French cuisine. It’s right at home in kebabs, pasta sauces, and roasted vegetables. I also use rosemary when cooking pork chops, chicken, or fish. The robust flavor holds up in the oven or on the grill.
4. Tarragon
Tarragon is one of my personal favorite herbs, with an anise-like flavor similar to dill. I mainly associate tarragon with French cooking. The sweet, lightly spicy notes shine in pan sauces, compound butters, and vinaigrettes.
Tarragon plays well with poultry, eggs, mushrooms, and green vegetables. For stews and braises, add a few sprigs early in cooking so the flavor disperses. Tarragon also makes a bright addition to cream soups. It retains its aroma even after long simmering.
5. Caraway Seeds
When a recipe calls for dill seeds, I substitute caraway seeds instead of fiddling with fresh dill. Caraway contains the same burst of licorice flavor. The seeds rapidly infuse sauces, soups, breads, and cabbage dishes with their pungent, aniseed aroma.
To mimic dill seeds, use about the same amount of caraway seeds. Crush or grind them to release more flavor. They work best in liquidy foods like dressings, creamy soups, and cabbage stir fries where the taste disperses.
How to Cook With Dill Substitutes
When using fresh dill, add it toward the end of cooking to preserve the aroma and taste. The same rule applies to fennel fronds, thyme, and tarragon.
Rosemary is more heat-stable so you can add it earlier in the recipe. Let it slowly infuse the dish as it simmers or bakes. Just like dill seeds, toast dry herbs like rosemary, thyme, and caraway seeds to intensify their flavor.
No matter which herb you choose, use a light hand until you adjust to the new flavors. The licorice notes can quickly become overpowering. When in doubt, start with half the amount of fennel, tarragon, or caraway a recipe calls for.
With so many excellent stand-ins, you can replicate the taste of dill anytime. Fennel, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and caraway seeds each offer their own flair while mimicking the general flavor profile. Next time your recipe calls for dill, don’t panic if you’re out – just turn to your spice rack for an aromatic substitute!
I hope you enjoyed learning all about how to replace fresh dill or dill seeds in your cooking. Let me know if you have a favorite dill substitute I should try in my kitchen!