Don’t you hate it when you’re in the middle of a recipe that calls for dried dill…and you don’t have it?
You’re already halfway through the recipe, so you need to find a dried dill substitute ASAP.
If you don’t have dried dill, I think dried tarragon is the next best thing.
Read on to find out why and discover some other dill alternatives if you happen to be out of tarragon, too.
The Best Alternatives for Dried Dill
Like any other herb, dill has its own distinct flavor. But this doesn’t mean that alternatives are not acceptable when the dish calls for it but it’s not available in your pantry.
Good thing, although not exactly as it is, some herbs resemble hints of dill’s unique flavor profile: fresh with an anise-like finish.
1. Fresh if You Can Get It Because Dill Really Is Hard to Substitute
If the recipe includes dried dill but for some reason it’s not available, try to replace it with the fresh version instead.
Dill is hard to substitute because of its distinct taste and the closest you could get to the original flavor is either by using the fresh or dried variations as a replacement for each other.
Later on this article, you’ll learn the right ratios when replacing dried with fresh and vice versa.
2. Dried Tarragon Is My Top Choice
Among all the herbs, tarragon has the most familiar dill-resembling flavor. This is why if you really ran out of both fresh and dried dill, tarragon would best replace the herb as it also resembles a similar anise or licorice-like undertone.
So you can simply add in the dried tarragon to your dish in equal amounts as you would using dried dill.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For example, if the recipe says you need to add one teaspoon of dried dill, you can simply replace it with one teaspoon of dried tarragon.
3. Fennel Is the Runner Up
If either fresh dill or dried tarragon isn’t available, try to substitute it with fennel, especially if you will be using it to flavor meats, seafood or veggies.
While the flavor comparison isn’t exact, fennel shares the same licorice-like notes with dill, so it’s one of the top choices around.
4. Thyme if You Don’t Have Any Other Option
Thyme comes from the mint family and contains a strong, earthy flavor. You wouldn’t want it to overpower the flavor of your main ingredient so be careful to use it in modest amounts.
What I love about thyme is that it can handle long cooking times, so you can add it in your dish early on, unlike dill.
It’s also ideal to use for marinating chicken and other kinds of meat. You can use it to flavor braised, roasted or baked dishes.
How to Substitute Dried Dill for Fresh Dill: Ratio Tips
Now, let’s talk about how much dried dill you need to substitute for fresh.
For every one tablespoon fresh dill, use one teaspoon of dried dill.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A cup of fresh dill equals 16 teaspoons of dried dill. ¼ cup of fresh dill would be equal to four teaspoons of its dried variation.
Dried Dill vs Fresh
Drying dill does not change its flavor and aroma. The major difference would obviously be the appearance.
Of course, if you will use some for garnishing, fresh dill would always make those plates visually appealing and appetizing.
Another point to remember is that dried dill is more concentrated than the fresh one.
Because it’s stronger in taste in smaller quantities than fresh dill weed, you’ll need to change your measurements when the recipe suggests using the fresh one and vice versa.
When it comes to timings, the process is the same for both – either dried or fresh dill weed, you’ll have to add it in your dish toward the end of cooking.
But if it is dried dill seed that you’re using, you will need to add it much earlier than you would using dill weed as it needs longer cooking time to release its beautiful taste and aroma.
Best Dill Substitute for Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a famous star in Greek cuisine, but it’s also widely used in Middle Eastern dishes.
This versatile dip made from strained Greek yogurt combined with cucumbers, olive oil, garlic, lemon and herbs add interesting depths of flavors to grilled meats and veggies, appetizers, sandwiches and salads.
While we usually use dill in making tzatziki, a lot of good recipes show that mint can be an ideal substitute in case your herb cabinet doesn’t have dill.
Is There a Good Dill Substitute for Pickles?
Yes, there is. As mentioned in this article, tarragon is the top choice if you’re looking for an herb with similar flavor notes as dill.
Substituting dill with tarragon is easy as you simply need to use the same measurements.
Use an equal amount of dried tarragon for dried dill and an equal amount of fresh tarragon for fresh dill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dill weed be used as a substitute for dill seed in cooking?
They taste almost similar, but dill seeds are slightly bitter. Some food experts say you’ll get better results with caraway seeds or celery seeds.
Can I use pickle juice instead of dill?
Yes, of course, if dill isn’t really available. Pickle juice is actually good for muscle cramp relief, gut health and blood sugar control, so it’s good to use as an ingredient.
What’s a good substitute for dill in tartar sauce?
Fresh or dried dill is a must-have if you want your tartar sauce to be tasting like a classic, authentic one, but if it’s not available, parsley is a good alternative.
What should I as an alternative for fresh dill in potato salad?
There are actually a lot of potato salad variations using different fresh herbs like dill, parsley, cilantro and tarragon. But if you’re looking for something that mimics fresh dill’s feathery fronds for the garnish, fennel is your best bet.
