5 Substitutes for Basil

Basil is a sweet-tasting herbacious plant most notable for its extensive use in Mediterranean cuisine. Basil is a stable ingredient in many pasta sauces, stir-fries, salad dressings and other dishes throughout the world. If you are in the middle of a recipe and just realized you are out of basil, several other products can work instead. Consider using any of these herbs as substitutes for basil.

Oregano

Another famed Mediterranean herb, oregano is slightly similar in taste to basil. Oregano will give food a slightly more peppery, floral undertone, but its overall uses are similar.

Thyme

Thyme has a warmer, earthier taste than basil or oregano, but it can still be a viable substitute for basil in most recipes. Select fresh thyme leaves whenever possible.

Celery Leaf

Most people throw away celery leaves instead of using them in recipes, but these delicious leaves are perfect for use as substitutes for basil. Consider mixing them with a small amount of fresh parsley to make the flavor more closely resemble Mediterranean herbs.

Cilantro

Perfect as a substitute for basil, cilantro can give pesto sauce an impressive kick and can help to balance Asian dishes such as Thai curries. Cilantro is the leaf of the plant that yields coriander seeds, and it possesses an exotic flavor.

Mint

In Thai cuisine and some Mediterranean dishes, mild mint leaves can act as viable substitutes for basil in recipes. Choose milder mint varieties and cook them longer than you would cook basil. If you'd like, you can even combine mint with another substitute for basil, such as thyme or celery leaf.

3 Substitutes for Galangal

You're in the middle of an exotic recipe, when suddenly an odd word catches your eye-- galangal. You might be wondering what the heck this odd ingredient might be, and where you can find it.

Galangal is a brownish rhizome, a relative of the ginger plant. It originates in Indonesia, where it is popular as a vegetable and spice. It can be very hard to find in the United States, but some Asian markets and international grocers carry it. If you don't have galangal, try using any of these substitutes for galangal in your recipe.

Ginger

Not as pungent as galangal but similar in flavor, ginger root can work as a viable alternative to its more exotic counterpart. Use about one and a half times as much ginger as the recipe calls for in galangal. This will ensure that your recipe is sufficiently potent.

Fingerroot

Another exotic rhizome related to ginger, fingerroot is also known as "Chinese ginger" or ka chi. Fingerroot's long, brown protrusions vaguely resemble human fingers. It is popular in Thailand, and its flavor is very similar to ginger but a bit weaker. Use twice as much fingerroot a the recipe calls for in galangal. As a substitute for galangal, fingerroot will suffice only if you use relatively large quantities.

Turmeric

Use fresh turmeric as a substitute for galangal only in a pinch, if ginger and fingerroot are both unavailable. Turmeric is a bright-yellow rhizome related to both ginger and galangal. Its fragrant, sweet-smelling root is far less spicy than galangal or ginger, but it has a somewhat similar taste, and its creamy flavor can complement almost any dish that might include galangal. Triple your the amount of turmeric beyond the recipe's requirement for galangal.

4 Substitutes for Curry Leaf

Curry leaf is commonly used as a flavoring agent in soups, stews, and-- of course-- curries, particularly in Southeast Asia. Although no substitute for curry leaf can provide the exact same culinary effects, there are several substitutes for curry leaf which can be used if you are in a pinch. If you are in the middle of a recipe and just discovered that you are missing curry leaves, consider using these flavorful herbs as alternatives.

Bay Leaf

Most notable for its use in Mediterranean cuisine, bay leaf can lend a sweet-savory undertone to your dish, acting as an acceptable substitute for curry leaf. Bay leaves will not give your meal the exact same flavor as curry leaves, but it can help to balance the other tastes and fragrances in your meal. Use the same amount of bay leaf that the recipe calls for in curry leaves.

Lemon Balm

Also known as melissa, lemon balm is a member of the mint family with a distinctively citrus-like flavor. Lemon balm has an aroma that is remarkably similar to curry leaf or lemon rind. Use two thirds the amount of lemon balm that the recipe requires in curry leaves. Add only the leaves of the plant, not the edible stem or root.

Basil

Basil leaves, which are popular in Italian and Asian culinary traditions, can be good substitutes for curry leaves in some recipes. Basil is an ideal curry leaf substitute if you are cooking Thai curries, because it provides a sweet and floral undertone to these spicy dishes. A trace amount of lemon juice can provide the citrus-like flavor of curry leaves.

Lime Zest

Lime zest, the shavings of the uppermost layer of a lime's thick rind, may be a good substitute for curry leaves in many recipes. It provides a subtle fragrance and an exotic taste remarkably similar to curry leaf. The zest of one lime is equivalent to eight curry leaves.