Ingredient guide / Culinary herbs
Oregano: flavour, uses and substitutes
Savoury, warm and assertively herbal.
Origanum vulgare
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Three identifying features
- Small oval leaves
- Green opposite leaf pairs
- Strong savoury scent
Fresh or dried?
Use fresh or dried; dried oregano is convenient for tomato sauces.
When should it go into the pan?
Simmer in sauce or rub over vegetables shortly before serving.
What does it go with?
Tomatoes, pizza, aubergines and beans.
Cuisines & dish ideas
Try Greek-style vegetables and Italian tomato sauces.
What can replace it?
Marjoram is milder and slightly sweeter.
How should it be stored?
Refrigerate fresh sprigs; seal dried leaves away from light.
Recipes using it
The ingredient list names this herb or spice. Check the recipe for fresh or dried form and quantity.
Sources and notes
Sources
- NC State Extension · Origanum vulgare · Accessed 2026-10-25
- BZfE · How-to Kräuter · Accessed 2026-10-25
Image: AI-generated (OpenAI). Image note: The illustrations were created with AI. They show culinary ingredients and are not a guide to identifying wild plants.