7 Best Mint Substitutes

Mint leaves are a versatile plant you can use to give your meals and mojito a burst of fresh taste. Even savory sauces like spaghetti sauce and chicken pesto pair well with them. They may also be successfully combined with salads. You’re not the only person who enjoys mint. People all around the world like this reviving herb, which may be a wonderful complement to various dishes.

Sometimes, we just find out in the middle of the cooking process that we are out of the important ingredients. If this is the case for you and you are out of mint, a replacement can be found easily.

Basil produces a somewhat more peppery and anise taste, however, it is one of the most widespread substitutes for the mind. Dried mint may successfully substitute fresh. Lemon balm tastes good in dishes and may be used as a lovely citrus-like alternative to mint. Other great mint substitutes include Cilantro, Herbal mint tea, lavender, and Dill weed.

What Is Mint?

Mint is a fragrant herb that has a fresh and strong herbal taste. The mint plant originated in the eastern Mediterranean and was named after the mythological goddess Minthe.

Mint is a well-liked and simple-to-grow plant, making it perfect for domestic gardening. As a herb, mint is suited for vegan, vegetarian, and paleo diets and is also gluten-free. Mint leaves, whether fresh or dried, may be used in a range of recipes, from soups and stews to sweets and drinks.

There are various kinds of mint, but spearmint, curly mint, and peppermint are the three most popular ones. The two types of mint that are most frequently used fresh in food preparation and drinks are spearmint and curly mint.

For the majority of culinary uses, peppermint is a bit too strong to use fresh. Instead, it is cultivated and processed into peppermint oil, which is then used as a flavoring. Other mint types with unique smells and scents are available.

For instance, apple mint, a member of the mint family, smells like apples. The flavor of orange mint is citrusy. There is a hint of chocolate flavor in chocolate mint. Whatever variety of mint you select, it will undoubtedly give your food a fresh, minty flavor.

Mint plants are easy to grow. The majority of mints need moist soil and grow in shade. The most prevalent kind of mint is a perennial. If the herb is put in a great spot, it will come back every year. Mint is so easy to grow, many gardeners discover they can’t get rid of it when they want to.

How To Use Mint

Mint is most frequently used as a garnish or in drinks, although it may also be utilized in savory foods. People adore the refreshing taste of mint tea. Fresh or dried mint is typically used to make mint tea. It is created by the addition of hot water.

Add a sprig of fresh mint to your meal if you wish to use it as a garnish. Any sort of mint can be used, however, curly mint leaves are frequently used as a garnish. Additionally, savory foods like lamb, poultry, and fish can be prepared with mint. The highly-liked herb goes well with other flavors like ginger, garlic, and lemon essence.

Best Mint Substitutes

	Substitute:	Best For
1.	Peppermint Extract	Marinades, Dressings, Sauces, Frostings, Beverages
2.	Rosemary	Soups, Entrees, Sauces, Stews, Casseroles, Pasta, and Dressings
3.	Oregano	Savory dishes, Sauces, marinades, and Dressings
4.	Marjoram	Soups, stew, Salads, Sauces, Savory dishes, Dressings
5.	Herbal Mint Tea	Beverages, Sauces, Dressings, Savory dishes
6.	Parsley	Stews, soups, Savory dishes, and Smoothies
7.	Tarragon	Marinades,  Sauces, Savory dishes, Stews, Soups

1. Peppermint Extract

Peppermint extract is your ideal substitute if you don’t have any dried mint but still want that fresh flavor. It is an easy way to incorporate the flavor of mint into a dish without having to do any preparation.

The only drawback is that using peppermint extract in place of dried mint requires caution because it has a considerably stronger flavor and scent than dried mint. Peppermint extract can be used to replace mint in sauces and dressings, but start with only a few drops and taste as you go. It is a preferable choice when the minty taste is required in sweeter recipes, marinades, and dressings.

2. Rosemary

This fragrant plant offers a number of advantages in addition to a flavor that is irresistible.It will not have a significant effect on sweet dishes. However, it can be great when used in entrees and soups.

Enjoy the fresh herbal taste it adds by substituting dried rosemary for mint in sauces, dressings, pasta, stews, soups, and casseroles.

Dried rosemary can have a pretty robust taste. Therefore, make sure to put it in the dish at the beginning of the preparation. This will help to unleash its flavor correctly.

3. Oregano

Oregano is a great option if you’re seeking a complementary herb that would replace mint, especially for Italian recipes. It has a rich taste that may significantly improve savory foods like pizza sauce and marinara.

Carefully cut off the stems from any fresh oregano before slicing the leaves. And keep in mind that oregano has a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way.  When using dried oregano, start with half the required amount of mint and taste it and modify it as you go.

In savory foods, marinades, and sauces, oregano works well in lieu of mint. It may also be blended with other spices to create a flavorful flavoring.

4. Marjoram

Dried marjoram and dried mint can occasionally be substituted because of their taste similarities. The flavor of dried marjoram is a little more lemony, with overtones of pine. Even in its dried condition, it still maintains a fresh flavor.

In soups, stews, and salads, add dried marjoram in the same amount you would have used dried mint. Fresh leaves, essential oil, and dried marjoram are all readily accessible. It is advisable to add marjoram at the end of cooking when using it to avoid cooking away its taste.

5. Herbal Mint Tea

The dried leaves of mint are the main component of mint tea. Despite being dried, the mint still has a strong flavor and works well as a substitute for fresh mint.  In fact, mint tea bags may be used to flavor alcoholic beverages as well. In order to have a more intense scent, make the tea with only one bag but less water. Then, add the liquid to the beverage of your choice.

There are several methods to substitute herbal mint tea for dried mint, and it may be used in both savory and sweet meals. Although you could definitely do it, you probably won’t want to pour the contents of a herbal mint tea bag into your salad. Instead, boil some of the tea and use it to flavor sauces and dressings.

6. Parsley

Parsley can be a great substitute for a mint when subtle flavors are needed.  There are two distinct varieties of parsley. You may use this substitute if you make savory foods like stews. Even your healthy smoothie can include it. For sweet pastries, though, its green flavor falls short. Even though it’s softer than mint, you may still substitute Parsley in a 1:1 ratio.

Parsley subtly offers a pleasant herb taste to a meal, such as stews or soups. Dried parsley works best in savory recipes. it does not complement sweeter foods well.

7. Tarragon

A small amount of dried tarragon can be used in place of dried mint since it is a flavorful plant that packs a powerful punch. It is herbaceous and fresh, making a great replacement for mint in savory meals and fresh sauces.

Unlike most other herbs, dried tarragon won’t impart a minty flavor to dishes but will instead add a delightful scent and flavor.  When marinating meat, you can swap out the same amount of the dried mint with dried tarragon.

Best Mint Substitutes In Mojito

There’s no need to freak out if you adore mojitos but don’t have any mint on hand. Fortunately, you may exclude this component entirely or substitute it with another. You may substitute mint with peppermint extracts or spirits if you still want to experience the minty flavor of a mojito.

You might alternatively use a drink or syrup with a strong mint flavor in place of the traditional mint. The rum beverages with a mint taste are an additional choice. These beverages come in a variety of brands. Before adding the beverage to your mojito, it is a good idea to taste it because certain beverages have stronger flavors than others.

Bottom Line

There are more than 20 mint types in the world. A lot of different meals and beverages benefit from the taste of mint. Even though it is challenging to replicate the robust flavor of mint, employing the alternatives in this guidance will still result in a tasty dinner or beverage. If you only tweak the recipes a little bit, you could discover new tastes and flavors too.