As you begin to learn more about cooking, you’ll want to learn how to create wonderful meals from a fixed array of spices. Finding a good tarragon substitute can come in handy in certain circumstances. By delving into some trusted recipes, you can hone your cooking and come to develop some new flavors for your family and friends to enjoy whenever they come to visit.
Tarragon itself is a herb that is nestled within the sunflower family. Many people who are into home gardening choose to grow this herb so that they can use it for summer meals. It has a generally bittersweet taste that allows it to work well with many different kinds of vegetables and meats. People who grow their own herb gardens will have a range of plants to choose from should they need a replacement.
Enthusiastic cooks might choose to grow a number of different herbs. Oregano, thyme, basil, and even cilantro are relatively easy to grow both in large gardens and small pots. As long as the seeds are started when the weather is relatively wrong and protected from frost, everything should come along nicely.
Consider giving your herbs some basic fertilizer that is high in phosphorous and nitrogen so that the roots and leaves have a chance to develop strongly. As the herbs are needed throughout the grilling season for certain recipes, you can pinch off what you need and add it to the recipe you are currently working on.
4 Easy Taragon Replacements
1. Oregano
If you happen to be an Italian food junkie and enjoy making great pasta dinners with intoxicating spices, a bit of tarragon can simply be replaced with more oregano. Pasta dishes and even eggplant dishes will all take to the spice well. Most people mix oregano into the sauce that is going to go with the pasta, but you can also simply sprinkle it over the finished dish without worrying too much about it blending in. Oregano is a relatively meaty herb that should be measured out in relatively careful quantities so that it does not overpower the other ingredients.
2. Basil
Basil is a plant that is a lovely stand-in for tarragon on a number of fronts. Basil is often added to Italian dishes but will spice up meatballs, burgers, and even stews. The basil plant features a relatively quick-growing stalk with leaves that are among the broadest of all herbs. Pinch off the top stalk from time to time to ensure that the plant does not begin to flower when the weather gets hot. Leaves from basil plants that have already begun to flower will generally taste too bitter to be used in most recipes. If this has occurred, choose a different basil plant or a different herb altogether.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary is a unique herb that may also be appropriate in some cases. It can be placed in bread dough and then baked at a high temperature to bring out its flavor. Dried rosemary is generally long and skinny and should be rubbed between the fingers to break it up into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces can then be added to meats, vegetables, breads, and many other dishes. Make sure that your dried rosemary is relatively fresh, as older containers can tend to lose their flavor after several months.
4. Chervil
A perfect replacement or alternative to use when tarragon isn’t an option is chervil. This is a herb commonly found in most kitchens that has a very similar appearance to parsley leaves. The main reason is it such a great alternative is due to the taste and flavor it brings to any meal it is introduced into. Always a great substitute to have when tarragon can’t be used.
Uses for Tarragon
There are a number of different kinds of fish that can be spiced up with a good marinade. While tarragon is excellent for fish, other spices can be used as a quick substitute. Salmon, cod, and even catfish are tasty when baked or placed on the grill. Make them even more delectable by adding a honey-glazed marmalade to the fish for a few hours before the cooking actually begins. Savory marinades can be made slightly sweet by adding just a little bit of brown sugar.
Consider getting outside your comfort zone a bit when you begin to really learn how to use spices. If you are trying to eat healthy, for example, you might add more leafy greens to your meals. Kale, spinach, mustard greens, and a variety of leafy greens make excellent side dishes. With a bit of garlic and onion, you can make a perfectly smashing meal. Collard greens can be cooked in broth that will give them a unique flavor without too much work. Be sure to caramelize the onions a bit before you add them to the broth so that they have a chance to lose some of the gases that give them such a strong flavor when eaten raw.
A nice cheeseburger can have a wide range of spices. Burger chefs use all kinds of spices when making the patties. Though tarragon works well in burgers, you can use a blend of Italian spices as a substitute. The goal is to provide the meat with a popping flavor before it goes on to the grill. Chicken breasts and thighs can be treated in the same manner. A well-cooked burger can always be identified by the spices that have been used to give the patty its primary flavor, which pairs well with a sesame seed bun and a bit of ketchup and mustard.
Other Cooking Substitute Tips
This article we bring you substitutes for tarragon, however in other recent posts we covered other substitutes that can be useful in your day to day. This will make your cooking game much easier and is really useful when you don’t have an ingredient in your house. Check out some of our other cooking tips.
Conclusion
You can ultimately use your creativity to make dishes from the world knowing a tarragon substitute to add into your recipes. Whether you love traditional burgers or fancy pasta dinners, a number of spices are available to you should you need to make a meal without tarragon. As long as you ensure that your ingredients are measured out carefully, you can present your family and friends with a perfectly elegant dinner that can be served again and again.
You’ll never be stumped on wondering what’s a substitute for tarragon! This post should allow you to replace this quickly and easily without impacting the taste of your meal.
