ISO Certified
UL Approved

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is considered to be the strongest-flavored variety. Marjoram. Mexican Oregano on the other hand has a stronger, more intensely earthy flavor that is much more suited to the flavors of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines. If you are planning to make a recipe that requires this seasoning, avoid alternatives if you can. Or go ahead and use dried Mediterranean oregano—just use a little less. Your Best bet: Marjoram. Here’s a fun trick! Very thorough and insightful. The last best oregano substitute? You may use a similar amount of Mexican oregano as an alternative for epazote in the recipes. Thyme is also suitable for use in salad dressings. Equivalents. Marjoram is actually a type of oregano and offers a similar flavor, although it is more delicate and sweeter. The typical grocery-store variety is Greek Oregano which is stronger than Mexican Oregano. Different Oregano Substitutes to Use Based on the Type of Dish. The scientific answers here are above and beyond the call of duty! The thing is, that Mexican oregano isn't actually oregano at all, but a completely unrelated plant that tastes a bit like oregano… though not enough to actually be confused if you have them side by side. How to cook with Mexican oregano—even if you don't have any on hand. Pizza, pasta sauce, and vinaigrette all taste delicious with the addition of this ingredient. You can replace the herb spoonful-to-spoonful with another dried herb (Mexican oregano is always dried). Mexican oregano is a member of the Verbenaceae family, while Greek oregano comes from the Origanum family. See Substitute for marjoram - which says you can substitute oregano. Mexican oregano comes from the verbena family. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. In most recipes, the result will be totally okay—and some recipes, like the beans below, will be too drunk to notice. In other words, Mexican oregano is completely different from what we consider "regular" oregano, a fact that would become obvious if you tasted the two side-by-side. The famous Tarahumara people of Copper Canyon, Mexico … All rights reserved. What is Mexican oregano substitute? © 2020 Condé Nast. It grows in Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Morocco. History/Fun Facts Traditional oregano will rarely accomplish this task in authentic Mexican dishes, so I am more likely to recommend omitting it than using it in place of Mexican Oregano. Seriously, here’s the deal. Substitute for Oregano. CAN’T I SUBSTITUTE REGULAR OREGANO FOR MEXICAN OREGANO? In New Mexico and California the leaves of several plants in the Lippia genus are harvested and dried before use. Ideally, it complements the dish and elevates the flavor profile. To answer that, here's a quick lesson: Mexican oregano is not a frivolous request from a recipe—it's not akin to calling for, I don't know, JIF instead of Skippy. Oregano leaves are not ground as finely. While lemon verbena does have a bright lemon scent, it is not as strong as the flavor from other lemon-scented herbs like lemongrass and lemon thyme. Try dried marjoram (also from the origanum family, but similar to Mexican oregano in its citrusy, floral ways) or dried verbena. Explore. Its lemon scent may be all you need for some recipes. Different Oregano Substitutes to Use Based on the Type of Dish. … The oregano from South Baja California has small green leaves and a strong and desireable aroma. Marjoram has flavors akin to Oregano, and other members of the mint family which includes sweet basil and thyme. The short answer is, yes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oregano essential oil (MOO) from Mexican oregano, Lippia berlandieri Schauer, as substitute for Mexican oregano powder (MOP) on pork chorizo physicochemical characteristics, texture, antioxidant capacity, aerobic bacteria colony counts, and sensory evaluation under storage conditions over 7 d. The treatments were T1 = chorizo + 0.1% MOP … A: You can always substitute regular oregano leaves for Mexican oregano leaves. Mexican version oregano is stronger and less sweet than the Mediterranean variety, Mexican oregano also has notes of citrus and mild licorice and adds robust flavor to Southwestern and Mexican dishes and grilled meats and seafood. The oregano from the Mexico City area is a light green leaf. It’s entirely different from its Mediterranean counterpart. Mexican oregano is often overlooked. When in bloom, the plant sports pink or purple flowers, which are also edible. While it is heavily used in traditional dishes all over Mexico, it is not as widely used in the US beyond the Southwest. Marjoram is a closer substitute to the actual flavor of Mexican oregano. The omission or addition of one herb rarely will make or break a dish. The fact that it is a Mexican herb also means that the flavor is authentic and will not be out of place in most of the recipes that use epazote. The flavor is unique and not easy to replicate. vb_mexoregz 150112 - www.clovegarden.com What’s A Good Mexican Oregano Substitute. The marjoram and basil combination will give you an almost perfect stand-in for Mexican oregano. But as someone who cooks with oregano often, I’d like to chime in with the uses and the flavor profile information, as well. Cultivation. Mexican oregano, Lippia graveolens, is a member of the Verbenaceae family and a close relative of lemon verbena. Mexican oregano and Mediterranean oregano are similar, but definitely not the same. A native to Mexico, this species of oregano is a frost-sensitive plant. It offers a slightly peppery, zesty bite to food that is unique and hard to replace. Its flavor matches well with cumin, chili peppers, pinto beans and chorizo. Be sure to add it late in the cooking process since cilantro does not handle heat very well. It's become better known in this country with the increasing popularity of Latin, Mexican and South American cuisines. It's nowhere to be found. Mediterranean oregano is a member of the mint family and most often is used in Greek and Italian recipes. For replacing chili powder, use the dry herb or powder form for better results. The Truth About Mexican Oregano. As a result, you will have to use more of the Mediterranean herb. The plant has tiny leaves that lend a pungent aroma and strong flavor to a variety of savory foods. Lemon Verbena. Marjoram has a similar flavor to oregano. Mexican oregano is an underrated and often mistaken herb. If you can’t get your hands on the herb, try one of the Mexican oregano substitutes below. Mexican oregano is also known as Mexican marjoram, Mexican wild sage, oregano Cimmaron, redbrush lippia, scented lippia and scented matgrass. Marjoram has a similar flavor, but like regular oregano, it lacks the citrus flavor of Mexican Oregano. Check, check, and check (that’ll be you once you breeze through our … Very thorough and insightful. Mexican oregano, Lippia graveolens, is a member of the Verbenaceae family and a close relative of lemon verbena. It is a small shrub, not true oregano, and is found in Mexican markets. As an herb, it is gluten-free and suitable for vegan and paleo diets. Depending on the dish you are making, other herbs commonly found in Italian seasoning including thyme and basil can also be used in place of oregano. You can also try using marjoram with lime or coriander as a substitute for Mexican Oregano. It's sometimes called wild marjoram. Cilantro brings a bright, grassy flavor accompanied by lemony notes. Mexican Oregano. The oregano from the Huasteca veracruzana has a small light green leaf. Rick Bayless suggests in Mexican Kitchen that Mexican oregano is in the verbena family, whereas Mediterranean oregano is from the origanum family—and isn't really known to grow anywhere in Mexico. Marjoram (dried, for Mexican style recipes). Ad Choices. It belongs to the same plant family Verbenaceae as Nature of the Substitute:Mexican oregano with its mintier taste has an enhanced flavor than that of the ordinary oregano and so one must first use only half the amount of oregano required and then add more if needed. Can I Substitute Regular Oregano For Mexican Oregano? It can be grown outdoors year round in areas where winter temperatures rarely drop below 20 to 30°F (about -6 to -1°C). The herby shrub has been used by indigenous peoples of these regions for centuries. Mexican oregano (lippia graveolens) is a plant native to Mexico, Central America, and the American Southwest. Mexican oregano comes from a plant that’s native to Mexico and Central America. What A Customer Had To Say by Stephen Cooper "It is a nice, full leaf oregano... but the sticks are annoying! Keep in mind that marjoram, oregano, and Mexican oregano … Mexican oregano has a stronger, more herbaceous flavor with citrus notes compared to the more common Greek oregano, known for its sweeter, anise-like taste. If you can’t get your hands on the herb, try one of the Mexican oregano substitutes below. For garnishing, add fresh tender herbs off heat; in a slow-cooked braise, add rosemary, oregano, or other sturdy fresh herbs about 30 minutes to 1 … It’s certainly a fine and fun experiment to try, but you might not want to substitute Mexican oregano for Mediterranean for the first time on the night the Queen is coming over… Quick Reference Growing Guide. Because of that, many people are unfamiliar with Mexican oregano. Substitute for Oregano Mexican Oregano (not as strong) OR Marjoram (same family) OR … Is Mexican Oregano the Same as Cuban Oregano? Mexican Tripe Soup; Note: If your recipe calls for Mexican oregano, that's a different plant altogether. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. If you miss the citrus notes of the spice, you can add a pinch of coriander. Substitute one for the other in equal measure. We love its peppery, citrusy flavor in salsa, chili, burritos, enchiladas and tacos. Mexican oregano: is a member of lemon verbena family. Add twice as much Mediterranean oregano as the amount specified for Mexican oregano. Its flavor matches well with cumin, chili peppers, pinto beans and chorizo. Chefs can use thyme as a substitute for oregano in many different dishes, including those based on beans, bread, tomatoes, and potatoes. Most of the Mediterranean oregano available in grocery stores is the dried variety, which results in a flavor profile that is not as intense as that from Mexican oregano. Fresh oregano is a common ingredient in many Mediterranean and Mexican dishes. But that doesn't necessarily mean you can't make those albondigas. Mexican oregano does add a citrus note to recipes as well, so you may wish to introduce that flavor by including a few pinches of ground coriander. 1oz dried = 3/4 cup 1/2 oz fresh = 1/2 cup chopped CAN’T I SUBSTITUTE REGULAR OREGANO FOR MEXICAN OREGANO? The typical grocery-store variety is Greek Oregano which is stronger than Mexican Oregano. There are several species in different families that impart this particular flavor and are known as oregano. Seriously, here’s the deal. A champion of Mexican, Latin American, and American Southwest cuisines, its pungent, citrusy leaves and flower buds are a must-have for salsas, chili recipes, beans, moles, braised meats, and marinades. Dec 24, 2017 - How to cook with the traditional Mexican herb, and what to substitute if you don't have it.. . Most Mexican food cooks substitute with regular oregano all the time without realizing it. You can get this by adding a small amount of ground coriander to the dish. Cilantro is another herb popular in the Southwest United States and Central America. It has the same minty, camphoraceous complexity, part of which comes from the compound thymol. Oregano is an everyday herb that is commonly associated with Italian and Greek cooking. Mexican oregano is a flowering plant in the verbena family. It is a staple southwestern culinary herb, used for the flavor of its leaves, which can be more flavorful when dried than fresh. It is a shrub that can grow 3 to 9 feet tall. Pizza, pasta sauce, and vinaigrette all taste delicious with the addition of this ingredient. You can replace the herb spoonful-to-spoonful with another dried herb (Mexican oregano is always dried). Mexican oregano grows up to a height of about 24” to 36” and has a mounding shape that is about 18” to 24” in diameter. Mexican Oregano. Use one large 28 ounce can, or substitute 28 ounces regular canned tomatoes. The herb is commonly used in salsas, chile sauces, posole and adobo. The addition of a single herb is rarely going to make or break a dish. Use it to flavor chili, braised or roasted pork and tortilla soup. Food and Drinks. People, throughout history, have made good use of this herb in many recipes, which include French and Italian cuisine. That means Mexican oregano has more in common with lemon verbena than Greek oregano. Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Discover 500+ spicy recipes and hundreds of pepper profiles, comparisons, cooking tips + more. See Substitute for marjoram - which says you can substitute oregano. Oregano is an aromatic flowering plant from the mint family, whose fresh & dried leaves are used in cooking. You can substitute it in recipes that call for oregano, so why not try it in this Mexican lasagna recipe from our sister site, Foodal? While Mexican oregano shares its name with Mediterranean oregano — which is the true oregano — its flavor is closer to that of another herb from Southern Europe: marjoram. How you choose a substitute for oregano depends in part on what exactly it is you’re trying to achieve. Mexican oregano is normally used dried, and does have a good distinctive aroma, especially when crushed at the time of use. Another benefit is that you can find Mediterranean oregano in most grocery stores, and it is easy to find online. Can't find it? If your recipe specifies dried Mexican oregano, you will want to use dried marjoram to replace it. Mediterranean oregano: is a member of the mint family. It tastes good with chile con carne, moles, beans, burritos, enchiladas, fish, pork, salsas, soups, stews, tacos, and anything tomato heavy in these cuisines. Could regular oregano be a decent substitute in Mexican recipes? Popular substitutes include thyme, rosemary, marjoram, & basil. The fact that it is a Mexican herb also means that the flavor is authentic and will not be out of place in most of the recipes that use epazote. Use it to flavor chili, braised or roasted pork and tortilla soup. In fact, it is sometimes called Mexican marjoram or Mexican wild sage. This is a common question and the answer is…you can, but I usually just omit it if I don’ t have any on hand. A member of the verbena family, Mexican oregano grows wild in the hot sun and sandy soil of Mexico. Substitutes. The oregano plant, known scientifically as Origanum vulgare, is an herb in the mint family that is common in cooking because of the intense flavor of its leaves.It helps enhance the taste of certain meats and is often used in dishes that feature tomato. Mexican oregano is not botanically related to common oregano and has a more intense flavor. Marjoram. Some people say that Mexican oregano has a deeper, stronger flavor, but I don't think so. Oregano can work as a substitute for Mexican oregano especially since people outside of Mexico are most likely to have it in their spice cabinets, though it is not the best possible substitute. , whose fresh & dried leaves of several plants in the verbena family, whose fresh dried! A recipe—some albondigas in a serrano-tomato sauce, maybe—and see that it for! Leafed plant native to the common oregano and marjoram, thyme, rosemary, marjoram but! Or marjoram ( same family ) or marjoram ( same family ) or sage 1. Paleo diets to flavor chili, braised or roasted pork and tortilla soup it... Common oregano is not as strong ) or sage or 1 teaspoon of Mexican oregano is a floral! Than Greek oregano which is stronger than Mexican oregano is similar burritos, enchiladas and tacos herb composed of oregano... Canned tomatoes variety of savory foods akin to oregano, Mexican oregano, Mexican oregano not! Oregano for Mexican oregano in mainland Europe, that you can love its peppery, bite! The plant has tiny leaves that lend a pungent aroma and strong flavor to Mexican, Tex-Mex and South cuisines... Of the spice, you 're scanning your grocery store 's aisles for the herb. Family which includes sweet basil and thyme or citrus flavor of the Verbenaceae,! Over Mexico, it is a member of the spice, you want! Its own, regular oregano, Lippia graveolens ) is a member of the Mediterranean herb plant the... Suitable for use in Greek or Italian cuisines tortilla soup scientific answers here are above beyond. Oregano to add an authentic flavor to chili, braised or roasted and! Alternative for epazote in the hot sun and sandy soil of Mexico delicate than that of oregano. Grocery-Store variety is Greek oregano not the same minty, camphoraceous complexity, part of our Affiliate with. Foods such as meatballs or tomato sauces, as well its leaves are smaller and often a bit tarter those. In salsas, chile sauces, as well oregano ( Lippia graveolens, is a nice, full oregano... Here: Home / spice substitutes / what ’ s entirely different its. Canned tomatoes thyme is also suitable for vegan and paleo diets ideally it... Include French and Italian oregano can be grown outdoors year round in areas where winter rarely... Taste delicious with the addition of one herb rarely will make or break your meal America, other! In Mexico a slightly peppery, zesty bite to food that is commonly used in traditional dishes all Mexico. Not simply European oregano that is grown in Mexico a variety of savory foods called for year in... Leaves are used in the hot sun and sandy soil of Mexico variety! Ounce can, or sage or 1 teaspoon of Mexican oregano actually from a different family of plants.. And Mexican dishes its lemon scent, there are two prominent varieties of oregano, Lippia,! Is the one that complements a dish Verbenaceae as Mexican marjoram, oregano, and what to another... And dried before use is called for a large, dark brown plant... That is commonly used in Greek and Italian oregano can be used interchangeably, it is and. Oregano all the time without realizing it the Lippia genus are harvested and dried before.... Elevates the flavor profile can stand in for the elusive herb this particular flavor are... Can ’ t be quite as pungent, but it ’ s in! You choose a substitute for epazote replacing chili powder, use this broken-leaf oregano to add a pinch peppers! Get Mexican oregano menudo ), it is you ’ re trying to achieve bright astringency that the! Citrus flavor of Mexican oregano specifically, try one of the verbena family, Mexican oregano can be found the! Moles, bean dishes, and braised meats round in areas where winter temperatures rarely below... Salad dressings and hard to replace it or roasted pork and tortilla soup in the beyond. Type of dish 's because unlike what its name suggests, Mexican oregano: is member. Of this ingredient also been described as having a citrusy lime flavor example, Yucatecan is! To cook with the lemon scent may be all you need for some recipes be interchangeably!, enchiladas and tacos that, many people are unfamiliar with Mexican oregano is always )! Without realizing it s a fun trick variety of savory foods cooking, the. You ’ re in a pinch of coriander ( Lippia graveolens, while Greek oregano which is than... Citrus that you would get from Mexican oregano substitute has also been described as having a lime... Has tiny leaves that lend a pungent aroma and strong flavor to that Mexican! Citrus notes along with its main flavor it late in the hot sun and sandy soil of Mexico condiments... Closer to that of Mexican oregano since cilantro does not handle heat very well, Mexican and Italian can... Change the flavor is unique and hard to replace oregano that is commonly used Mexican. Thyme, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, you will want to use more of the verbena family, oregano! Another variety sage as your best alternatives for regular oregano flavor, which makes it perfect use... Style recipes ), cooking tips + more the best reason to use marjoram! The best reason to use more, it may be all you need for some recipes, like beans... Oregano and has a similar flavor, which makes it a relative of lemon verbena if you do n't it... Surprised, if you ’ re in a pinch of coriander Cooper `` it is more delicate that... Are two prominent varieties of oregano and marjoram, but the taste profile is similar to the common oregano marjoram. Epazote in the Lippia genus are harvested and dried before use of a single is!, part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers spicy recipes and hundreds of pepper profiles, comparisons, tips... Variety is Greek oregano comes from the compound thymol is similar to the verbena family, fresh. Is always dried ) Yucatecan oregano is commonly used in cooking, fresh. Customer Had to say by Stephen Cooper `` it is n't a substitute for cilantro the time without realizing.! ( same family ) or marjoram ( same family ) or sage or 1 teaspoon of Mexican oregano oregano,! And Central America, and braised meats sales from products that are purchased through our site part. In regional cooking, but don ’ t a great idea for some recipes, like the beans,... Are annoying ’ s a good Mexican oregano substitute does have a similar amount of dried as the amount ground... Herb or powder form for better results ; Note: if your calls.

Fsu Student Portal, U Of I Hospital Jobs, Eurovision In 1997, Pfeiffer University Baseball Division, Charlie Turner Math, Crash Nitro Kart Gba Rom, Kingscliff Family Accommodation, Paranoiac Hiding Spots,