thyme vs. Oregano - What's the difference?

The secret to any truly spectacular recipe is the blend of herbs and spices used for flavor. Thyme and oregano are staples in most kitchens because they are both very versatile and easy to use herbs. Although they can be used in similar recipes, they are two very different plants.

What is the difference between thyme and oregano?  Taste and aroma are its most defining traits, as thyme is a complex combination of sweet and peppery, as well as mint and lemon, while oregano has a very bold, spicy and earthy flavor.

In this article, we’ll teach you how to identify each herb, how to put them to the best use, and learn about their various similarities and differences.

How to identify thyme and oregano

Learning about herbs can be tricky because although each one has a unique flavor, many of them are very similar.

What does thyme look like?  It has a green stem or a stem with a slight reddish tinge and small, rounded green leaves , but many have small pointed tips that grow in small clusters, scattered among the stems.

In contrast, oregano is much bushier, with large, flat, oval leaves that can be a bit fuzzy at times . It has a musty aroma, which smells a bit like minty hay.

Thyme smells more pungent, and if green can be used to represent a smell, it describes thyme well.

Cook with thyme and/or oregano

Learning to cook with herbs is a skill master cooks dedicate their entire lives to. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of possible combinations that add delicate nuances to any dish.

If you’re not looking to become a world famous chef, but want to master some amazing combinations to impress your family and friends and elevate your meals, using thyme and oregano to their best effect will make all the difference.

thyme vs. Oregano: Flavor

Both thyme and oregano have very unique and identifiable flavors.

There are several different types of thyme plants, but they all have some degree of mint, lemony, and slightly sweet and spicy flavors.

Oregano has a very strong flavor that is considered spicy.  It is similar to marjoram, but stronger. It leaves an astringent feeling in your mouth, as if your mouth is suddenly very clean and almost as if the saliva has evaporated.

Thyme and oregano go together well in most recipes, but there are some dishes that are especially suitable for one or the other.

The best recipes with thyme

Thyme is a light, unobtrusive herb that lends its flavor well to a wide variety of dishes, especially chicken and beef, and almost all vegetables.

It works great as a marinade, as the subtle flavors seep into the meats or vegetables being marinated, and the same is true when used to flavor broth-based soups.

Thyme is very popular in Creole dishes, such as Creole chicken, jambalaya, or southern salsa rice. 

If you’re wondering which herbs go well with thyme, you usually can’t go wrong if you add marjoram or oregano, rosemary, sage or tarragon, basil or bay leaf, and of course garlic.

The best recipes with oregano

While thyme is great for light meats, oregano can handle the stronger flavors of beef, pork, and lamb. It is a very popular herb in Italian, Greek and Mexican food, which is why you will often see it in harmony with tomatoes and legumes.

It is also often added to salad dressings and, like most herbs, accentuates any vegetable very well.

A common question about this herb is how to use oregano leaves. Since the leaves of this herb are somewhat larger than those of many other herbs, you can use them almost as a salad green or similar to basil or even cilantro leaves.

If you use larger leaves instead of dried or diced oregano, the flavor will stay more compact, giving you a nice burst when consumed, but won’t transfer the flavor to the whole dish like you would in a stock or sauce using dried oregano, for example.

Some herbs that also pair well with oregano are the aforementioned basil and cilantro, as well as parsley, mint, marjoram, bay leaf, garlic and, of course, thyme. 

If you want to make your own Italian seasoning at home with thyme and oregano, check out this YouTube video from Rockin Robin Cooks.

Health benefits of oregano and thyme

Almost all herbs have a long list of health benefits, and thyme and oregano are no exception to this rule.

thyme benefits

When thinking about plants, it is often assumed that there will be some immunity-related benefits, thanks to the vitamins and antioxidants. This is true of thyme, which is a good source of vitamins C and A, both of which are known to boost immunity. But the benefits go much deeper.

Specifically, the benefits of thyme for the skin are interesting. Many people struggle with acne, and this is not limited to our teenage years. Some studies show that thyme tincture can cure and prevent pimples and acne better than many commercial products. 

Thyme also has other unusual uses.

It can be used as a disinfectant, not only for your body, but for your house. It is antifungal, so it can help keep spaces with high humidity free of mold if added to your cleaning products.

It is also known to repel all kinds of pests, from mice and rats to mosquitoes and even microbial bacteria and viruses.

It smells great and can also lift your spirits, so spraying it around the house as a diluted essential oil can have many far-reaching benefits. 

oregano benefits

Oregano has been used as a medicinal herb throughout many generations of traditional or alternative healing.

It’s well documented that it’s full of antioxidants , antibacterial and antiviral, but there are fewer studies showing exactly how effective it is.

The available studies usually refer to oregano oil, as opposed to the dried or fresh version of the leaf.

Difference Between Oregano Leaf and Oregano Oil

If you cook with oregano, you will likely use the leaf, either fresh or dried. The dried version will probably include some of the stems as well, but the final product will be ground into minuscule pieces, so the stems will not be distinguishable from the leaf.

Oregano oil is extracted from oregano leaves and stems , resulting in a highly concentrated oil. It is so potent that it should never be used without diluting it first, as it can cause major burns, both to the skin if used topically, and to the tongue or throat if swallowed.

However, when diluted with another oil or put into a recipe, it can provide many health benefits with just a small amount of the essential oil.

How to take oregano oil

Oregano oil is available in capsules or as an essential oil in a liquid. If you have the capsules, just follow the instructions on the label and use it as directed. If you have a liquid oil, you have many options.

If you want to use it topically to help skin conditions or infections, first dilute it with another oil, such as olive or grapeseed, using 1 teaspoon of safe carrier oil for every drop of potent oregano oil.

Mix it well and then rub it on the affected area of your skin. 

If you want to use oregano oil to fight a cold or boost your immunity, you can place a little of the oil under your tongue so that it absorbs quickly.

Again, you will need to dilute it to protect your mouth, but you can use it in equal proportion to olive oil or grapeseed oil. Rinse your mouth out well after a few minutes to prevent the oil from lingering and causing irritation.

If you don’t mind the taste of oregano oil, you can also dilute a single drop in a glass of water and drink it. This is simple and very effective.

Related questions

What are the benefits of oregano tea?

Oregano tea is a folk remedy for various minor ailments. It is often used to relieve a sore throat and cough, and can also relieve nausea and other digestive problems.

There aren’t many scientific studies to reference, but oregano has been used as a medicinal and healing herb in traditional medicine since the beginning of time.

It is high in antioxidants and known to be anti-inflammatory so it will boost your immune system and overall health , and it is also antiviral and antibacterial which will help you recover and prevent common frustrations like colds and flu.

Is it difficult to grow oregano from seed?

Oregano is fairly easy to grow, either from seed or from cuttings from an established plant, if you have friends or family who also grow this herb.

Oregano seeds are incredibly small and almost look like powder, so be careful when you open a package. They love well-drained soil, but are otherwise easy to care for.

They will take about 2 weeks to germinate, and in that time you will start to have beautiful fresh oregano for your on-demand recipes.

How is thyme tea prepared?

Thyme tea tastes delicious and is a great tea to drink when you’re feeling a little under the weather due to its antimicrobial and antiviral qualities.

You can make thyme tea with fresh or dried thyme, and it’s very easy. The only thing to keep in mind is that you must use hot water, not boiling.

If your water is hotter than 200 degrees F (boils at 212), it will start to degrade the nutritional value of any herb you use. You can boil the water and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring it over the thyme. Yo

If you have fresh thyme, use 2-3 sprigs the right size for your cup. If you’re working with dried thyme, add about 2 teaspoons to a tea infusing ball.