List Of The 10 Best Mint Alternatives That Are Easily Available

Mint can be a great ingredient for various foods and even desserts. Because mint has such a rich flavor and aroma in all its forms, you might think that it is not very easy to substitute it. There are plenty of ingredients you can use instead of mint and still end up with a delicious recipe.

You can substitute mint with many other herbs such as basil, parsley, marjoram, rosemary, or tarragon. Also, if you want to substitute fresh mint with other types of mint, dry herbal mint tea will work perfectly in any recipe.

There are other mint alternatives that you can use, as we will discuss further, so keep on reading!

List Of The Top Mint Alternatives

The following alternatives to mint will save your recipes if you are missing the mint itself. However, it is important to keep in mind that you will obtain a slightly different taste in the end as each ingredient brings a new flavor to your food.

1. Basil

Basil is one of the most common substitutes for mint and one of the most readily available. Basil will maintain the freshness of the mint, but it will also add a sweet peppery aroma to your food.

You will have to use a bit more basil compared to the quantity of mint you would add though, to get the same aromatic intensity. So, if you were planning to use one teaspoon of mint, use two teaspoons of basil instead.

2. Marjoram

By adding marjoram to your food instead of mint, you will give it a citrus and pine flavor that is just as delicious as the minty one. Some people think marjoram is very similar to oregano as it has a comparable flavor.

It is easy to grow this in a pot in the house, but you can also find it fresh or dry in stores. Marjoram has a strong flavor, and you might find it more potent than mint itself. So, be careful with quantities because one can erroneously add too much flavor.

3. Parsley

If you use mint in soups or other main dishes, you will be happy to know that you can replace it with parsley. You can find parsley in various forms and in different stores.

You can even grow it in your house, so you have it handy. Parsley has a rich scent and a very tasty flavor that will enhance your food’s other tastes.

4. Rosemary

Who doesn’t like rosemary? This aromatic plant has various benefits and a taste you can’t ignore. This plant comes from the mint family called Lamiaceae, also called anthos. Rosemary has a rich flavor that can replace mint if you don’t overdo it. It will not have the same effect in sweet dishes, but it will work great in soups and main courses.

5. Tarragon

Even if tarragon is not the most common ingredient in some countries, it is still one of the tastiest that you will find. You can use it to replace mint in various dishes, but it is also a well-known medicinal plant. Tarragon is great for different types of meat dishes as well as soups.

6. Peppermint Extract

If you want to replace mint in a dessert recipe, peppermint extract is one of the best alternatives to go for. You can also use peppermint extract in some main dishes, but it will be best in sweet ones. Peppermint has a minty flavor, which is very similar to mint but a bit spicier. On the market, you will find natural as well as artificial peppermint.

7. Oregano

Oregano is part of the mint family Lamiaceae, and you can successfully use it instead of mint in a variety of dishes. Oregano is fairly easy to find; both fresh and dry or as part of different seasoning mixes. It has a rich flavor, so you will not need to add a lot to enjoy its taste.

8. Coriander or cilantro

Coriander or cilantro is also a flexible mint substitute that you can use in different dishes. It doesn’t have a strong flavor like mint, so you might need to use more of it. But it will enhance the flavor of the other ingredients in your food. You can find coriander, fresh, dry, or in powder form. The fresh plant is a lot tastier than the dry version.

9. Herbal mint tea

One of the handiest substitutes for mint will be mint tea. You might have herbal mint tea in various combinations with other herbs or plain. Depending on the dish you want to use it in, this could be one of the best mint replacements. If you want to use herbal mint tea instead of fresh mint, go for the plain dry mint version of the tea.

10. Lemon extract

Lemon extract or flavoring will not add any minty taste to your food or drink, but it will add a freshness that you will love. Lemon extract can be found in various forms. You can use dry lemon, lemon juice, or lemon peel from organic lemons. Add it to your recipe in the same quantity you would add the mint and enjoy a unique and rich taste!