Dill weed or seeds belong to the same family as anise, fennel, cilantro, caraway, and cumin. Dill is a annual aromatic herb that is native to the Mediterranean region. Dill is also known as baby dill, and it is a common ingredient in Russian, German, and Scandinavian cuisines. It has green leaves that look like fern and have a mild sweet taste. Chopped or whole dill weed works well in stews, casseroles, meat dishes, pasta, and egg preparations. It is also a popular choice when adding flavour to fish as well as dips. Dill seed is also commonly used in making pickles and several types of bread. It also makes a great addition to green salads, potato salads, cucumber salads, dry rubs, as well as marinades. This herb and its seeds are available throughout the year, and are readily available in supermarkets. However, it is not uncommon to run out of dill seed in your kitchen but there are a lot of other alternatives you can consider as substitutes for dill seed. Though there is no substitute that can fully give the exact same flavour of dill seed, below are some ingredients that can give you your desired results.
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Fennel
Fennel is one of our best alternatives for dill seed. It has a broad stem with feather-like leaves on top, that look just like celery, but has as mild sweet licorice flavour. The fennel stalks are tough and are usually discarded off. The stems and leaves of fennel can be consumed with meats, vegetables, fish, and salads. Fennel leaves are also preferred for garnishing purposes. Once harvested or purchased, the herb can be wrapped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can use fennel herbs as a substitute for dill leaves in almost any dish that may call for dill seed.
Thyme
Another good substitute for dill seed is thyme. Thyme is a pungent-flavoured herb that belongs to the mint family. It has small tender leaves and it is a well known Mediterranean herb that is used as seasoning and as a flavouring agent in various recipes including pastas, salads, stews, sauces, and marinades to name a few. Thyme is a key ingredient in making pasta sauces using peppers and eggplants and makes an excellent substitute for dill seeds. However, unlike dill weed thyme can retain its flavour when cooked. Thus, it is an ideal choice for roasting and baking recipes too. It also works well as a complement for vegetable salads, tomatoes, and roasted potatoes. To use the aromatic flavour of thyme to the fullest, add it early in the cooking process. Thyme also makes a great replacement for dill seeds and others prefer using thyme to dill.
Rosemary
Also on our list of best alternative ingredients to use in place of dill seed is rosemary. Rosemary is another herb from the Mediterranean region that can be used as a substitute for dill. Rosemary is an integral part of French, Spanish, and Italian cooking. The intense aroma of rosemary has been traditionally used in lamb, chicken, pork, and fish recipes. It blends well with vegetables such as beans, grains, mushrooms, onions, peas, potatoes, as well as spinach. One distinct feature of rosemary is that the stems of the herb with its leaves stripped off can be used as skewers for kebabs. This is an effective way of extracting its rich flavour. Also, you can use rosemary in almost any dish that requires dill seed in its place.
Parsley
Parsley is a common household herb which is also available all year round and can make a great substitute for dill seed. Its mild flavour does not overpower the flavours of other ingredients in a dish and that makes it one of your best substitutes for dill seed. You can add parsley in almost every dish, whether it is vegetables or meat. Finely chopped parsley makes a delicious ingredient for garnishing roasted lamb, grilled steaks, chicken, fish, eggs, and vegetable recipes too. Just like the other herbs mentioned, you can add parsley in almost any dish that requires dill seed. Parsley can be used in preparing stuffing for meat and vegetables in some Asian countries. The mild flavour of parsley is perfect for garnishing and salad dressings.
Chervil
Chervil is an annual herb belonging to the parsley family. It is also one of the most popular herbs used in French cuisines. Its flavour is a mild mixture of licorice and parsley. Chervil is very similar to parsley, plus it brings out the flavours of other ingredients in a dish. Chervil is equally known to be used in a myriad of French and Italian recipes too. It is usually included in recipes such as salads and soups, but can also be used in a combination with other herbs and spices for cooking chicken, meat, eggs, and fish. Chervil is a perfect substitute for dill seed when it comes to soups and salad dressings.
Basil
Also on our list of excellent substitutes for dill seed is basil. Basil is a popular culinary herb which has a sweet strong taste and aroma. It is commonly used in Italian and Asian cooking as well. There are many varieties of basil that vary in colours from green to purple. Irrespective of the variety, basil is extensively used for making pesto and other sauces. Also, it is also perfect for making pasta, spaghetti, salads, pickles, and in marinades and dressings. You can use basil in any dish that requires dill seed in its place. In fact, basil is a perfect substitute to marinades and salad dressings.
Tarragon
Lastly, tarragon is another herb that makes a good substitute for dill seed. The herb is usually blended with white-wine vinegar to render its licorice flavour to various recipes and you can add it in a lot of meals that may require dill seed. Tarragon is a primary ingredient in Bearnaise sauce and it is an excellent choice for making omelettes and other recipes which include chicken and fish. Just like dill weed, heating alleviates the flavour of tarragon so it best to add it at the end of the cooking process. As much as it a good substitute for dill seed, tarragon has an intense flavour so you must use it in moderation as a substitute.
