Fresh to Dried Herb Conversion: How Much to Use in Recipes
If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, use this fresh to dried herb conversion to maintain your favorite recipe's flavor profile.
Fresh herbs have the ability to transform a regular dish into an exceptional experience. A fragrant basil leaf can take a tomato platter to the next level, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped tarragon will breathe new life into a simple vinaigrette. While dried herbs may lack the vibrant qualities of fresh ones, they make up for it with their convenience. If you’re not growing herbs indoors, shelf-stable dried herbs may be your best bet in winter.
The Fresh to Dried Herb Conversion Rate
Dried herbs are a concentrated form of fresh herbs, so you don’t need to use the same quantity when converting recipes. As a general rule of thumb, we like to use a 3:1 ratio of fresh to dried herbs. For example, if your recipe calls for one tablespoon of fresh oregano, use one teaspoon of dried oregano instead. (This is easy to remember if you know your cooking measurement conversions, where three teaspoons equal one tablespoon.)
Of course, this conversion is just a starting point. Dried herbs can be sold in several different forms—garlic can be powdered, granulated, minced or diced—so you may need to adjust the ratio accordingly.
For example, rubbed sage consists of whole dried sage leaves while ground sage is a fine powder. The whole form takes up more volume in a measuring spoon, so a 3:1 ratio might be spot-on. Ground sage, on the other hand, will be more potent in the same quantity, so you may want to use a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio.
The same goes for freeze-dried herbs, which retain more of their original flavor and texture compared to conventionally dried herbs. You may find a lower ratio works best with these types of dried herbs, so start small and taste as you cook to find the right conversion rate.
Cooking with Dried vs. Fresh Herbs
The most important distinction between fresh and dried herbs involves timing. The flavor and aroma are immediately apparent in fresh herbs, so they should be added near the end of the cooking process. Otherwise, the flavor can dissipate as the dish cooks.
Dried herbs, on the other hand, take longer to release their flavor. It’s best to add them early in the cooking process. Blooming dried herbs in a little hot oil or adding them to the recipe while cooking onions and garlic goes a long way to bring out dried flavors.
There are also times when a substitution simply won’t work. Dried basil wouldn’t be the same on a caprese salad or margherita pizza, where the whole, fresh basil leaves are an important part of the eating experience.
Dried herbs don’t work as well in bright, herbaceous recipes like pesto or chimichurri, either. In these instances, we recommend sticking to fresh herbs. Keep them alive and vibrant for up to a month by storing herbs upright in a mason jar filled with water, just like flowers. Once they start to look wilted and sad, freeze herbs in water or oil for use in soups or sauces.
Recipes to Make with Fresh Herbs
Herbed Feta DipGuests can’t get enough of this thick, zesty dip that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavor. The feta cheese and fresh mint complement each other beautifully, creating the perfect sidekick for crunchy carrots, toasted pita chips, sliced baguettes or any other dipper you fancy.—Rebecca Ray, Chicago, Illinois
Orange Blossom Mint RefresherI came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This version has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness, and the orange blossom water gives the tea a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Lemon-Thyme BreadLemon and thyme go together like milk and cookies. Fresh thyme is best, but if you must use dried, reduce the amount to 1 tablespoon and crush it between your fingers before adding it to the batter. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington
Golden Beet and Peach Soup with TarragonOne summer we had a bumper crop of peaches from our two trees, so I had fun experimenting with different recipes. After seeing a beet soup recipe in a cookbook, I changed it a bit to include our homegrown golden beets and sweet peaches. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Rosemary and Ginger Infused WaterAromatic and slightly spicy, this infused water is great for winter holidays and celebrations. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Basil Chicken SandwichesI got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home. My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch. —Kerry Durgin Krebs, New Market, Maryland
Herbed Tuna and White Bean SaladThis is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Cilantro Lime ShrimpA quick garlicky lime marinade works magic on these juicy shrimp. They come off the grill with huge flavors perfect for your next cookout. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
Green Beans and Radish Salad with Tarragon PestoWhichever way my garden grows, I usually build my salad with green beans, radishes and a pesto made with tarragon. That adds a hint of licorice. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Peach-Basil Lemonade SlushThis chilly slush with peaches, lemon juice and garden-fresh basil is hands-down the best lemonade ever. It tastes just like summer. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Honey-Thyme ButterLaced with honey and fresh thyme, this butter is perfect for either sweet or savory dishes. It's amazing on bread and rolls fresh out of the oven but equally as good on a stack of blueberry pancakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pineapple and Mint Infused WaterThis pineapple and mint water is like a tropical cocktail but without the sticky-sweet taste. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Strawberry Tarragon Chicken SaladAfter thinking about creating this salad for some time, one spring I used my homegrown strawberries and fresh tarragon to do a little experimenting. It didn't take me very long to come up with a winner! My husband enjoyed my creation as much as I did, and now we can't wait for strawberry season to come around each year. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Cherry Tomato SaladThis recipe evolved from a need to use the bumper crops of delicious cherry tomatoes we grow. It's one of my favorite cherry tomato recipes, especially at cookouts. —Sally Sibley, St. Augustine, Florida
Rosemary LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Herbed VinegarThis herb vinegar would be a great addition to your favorite salad dressing or could be used in place of vinegar in any recipe. The terrific flavors of tarragon and basil really shine through. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Portobello Bruschetta with Rosemary AioliBy caramelizing onions, broiling peppers and whipping up a homemade aioli with fresh herbs, you will add dimensions of flavor not found in store-bought bruschetta. —Stephanie Metzger, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Rosemary-Lemon Sea SaltMaking flavored sea salt is so easy. Mix in grated lemon peel and minced rosemary for a delicious way to enhance chicken, fish and salads. —Shelley Holman, Scottsdale, Arizona
Potato-Bean Salad with Herb DressingMy veggie garden inspired this creamy combo of beans, potatoes and fresh herbs. I toss them with a ranch-style dressing sparked up with Creole mustard. —Chris Cummer, Bayonne, New Jersey
Minted Beet SaladWe have neighbors who share vegetables from their garden, and every year my husband and I look forward to their beets. My interest in Mediterranean food inspired this beet salad recipe—the vinegar and oil dressing with fresh mint tones down the sweetness of the beets, and the kalamata olives add a salty touch. —Barbara Estabrook, Appleton, Wisconsin
Fresh Cucumber SaladCrisp, garden-fresh cukes are always in season when we hold our family reunion, and they really shine in this simple salad. The recipe can easily be expanded to make large quantities, too. —Betsy Carlson, Rockford, Illinois
Raspberry Mint JamI have so much mint growing in my yard that I add it to almost everything. What a revelation it was when it went in my raspberry jam—the mint really wakes up the raspberry flavor.—Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Melon with Serrano-Mint SyrupThis is just one of the recipes I developed to take advantage of the fresh mint I grow nearly year-round. The serrano pepper is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the syrup and salad. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Bella Basil Raspberry TeaGive iced tea a grown-up twist. Fragrant basil lends flavor and the raspberries give it a bright red color. Tou’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience! —Laurie Bock Lynden, Washington
Originally Published: July 17, 2023
