Gourmet Hacks: 5 BEST Substitutes for Lavender

Finding the perfect substitute for lavender in your cooking is like hitting the jackpot.

It’s not just about tweaking the flavor; it’s about creating a moment that sticks.

Sure, lavender’s unique, but we’ve got you covered with some amazing alternatives.

Ever stood in your kitchen, ready to whip up something fantastic, only to realize you’re out of lavender?

We’ve been there too. And guess what? It led us to discover some top-notch swaps that might even outshine the original.

These alternatives aren’t second best; they’re game-changers.

Ready to throw in a twist that’ll have everyone asking for your secret?

Stay tuned, because we’re about to spill the beans on making your dishes unforgettable, sans lavender.

What is Lavender?

Lavender is a plant that has been used for thousands of years in cooking and healing.

It is also one of the most popular herbs, contributing to its high demand and popularity worldwide.

It is a perennial plant with small purple flower spikes, used in perfumes and other beauty products for centuries.

The most common uses of lavender today include oils made from flowers, tea, and aromatherapy, where it is burnt to release its fragrance.

It is also used in cooking, especially desserts like chocolate lavender cupcakes and lavender ice cream.

Lavender can be grown at home or bought from markets, commonly sold in dried flower form.

It’s very versatile – the flowers can be used fresh for immediate impact, but they can also be dried and used later.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Lavender

Lavender is a versatile herb known for its distinctive floral and herbal aroma. It is commonly used in culinary, aromatherapy, and skincare applications.

However, if you don’t have lavender on hand or prefer different flavors and scents, there are several substitutes available.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for lavender, discussing their key characteristics and suggesting proper ratios to help you achieve similar results in your recipes.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Rosemary	Woody and fragrant herb with a slightly pine-like flavor	Use an equal amount of rosemary as a substitute for lavender
Lemon Balm	Citrusy and refreshing herb with a mild lemon flavor	Use an equal amount of lemon balm as a substitute for lavender
Herbs de Provence	A blend of herbs, including thyme, savory, rosemary, marjoram, and oregano	Use an equal amount of Herbs de Provence as a substitute for lavender
Parfait d’Amour	Liqueur with a floral and citrusy flavor	Use a small amount (to taste) of Parfait d’Amour as a substitute for lavender
Clary Sage	Herb with a sweet, earthy, and mildly floral aroma	Use an equal amount of clary sage as a substitute for lavender

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Rosemary

Rosemary is a very common herb mostly used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.

More specifically, it tastes like an aromatic combination of pine and citrus.

The interesting fact about this plant is that it has many different varieties with vastly different flavors and aromas.

Furthermore, it is often available fresh or dried.

Rosemary is used to flavor pork, fish, lamb, soups, vegetables, and bread.

It is also used as a garnish for certain dishes with meat or fish.

When substituting rosemary for lavender in your recipes, you must know its stronger taste.

Furthermore, the time that the food requires to cook will be longer with rosemary.

• Key Characteristics: Rosemary is a woody and fragrant herb with a slightly pine-like flavor. It can provide a similar aromatic quality to lavender in recipes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of rosemary as a substitute for lavender. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

2 – Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a perennial herb with white, pinkish, or purplish flowers.

It has many nicknames like Aaron’s rod and Abraham’s balm.

Additionally, it has certain medicinal properties.

For instance, it can be used to calm the nerves or to reduce stomach problems.

It’s also a popular herb for use in aromatherapy, and it smells wonderful.

Lemon balm is often used to flavor fish and egg dishes.

Furthermore, it is frequently used in fruit salads and desserts like lemon meringue pie.

It can also be used to make a refreshing tea or herbal infusion.

When using the lemon balm as a substitute for lavender, you should know that it has a milder flavor.

• Key Characteristics: Lemon balm is a citrusy and refreshing herb with a mild lemon flavor. It can bring a bright and uplifting element to dishes as a substitute for lavender.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of lemon balm as a substitute for lavender. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired level of citrus flavor.

3 – Herbs de Provence

Herbs de Provence is a mixture of different dried herbs commonly used in French cuisine.

It usually contains savory marjoram, basil, fennel seed, rosemary, thyme, and lavender flowers.

It’s quite common to add new ingredients from time to time, depending on your personal preferences.

The most common way to use herbs de Provence is with chicken, fish, and lamb dishes.

However, it can also be mixed with oil or vinegar for a great salad dressing.

When substituting lavender with herbs de Provence in your recipes, you should consider that this herb mixture has a much stronger flavor than lavender.

• Key Characteristics: Herbs de Provence is a blend of herbs, including thyme, savory, rosemary, marjoram, and oregano. This versatile mixture can provide complex flavors and a hint of floral notes similar to lavender.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of Herbs de Provence as a substitute for lavender. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired herbaceous profile.

4 – Parfait d’Amour

Parfait d’Amour, or “perfect love,” is a mixture of herbs and flowers.

It contains lavender, vanilla grass, Kravetz, chamomile, clove buds, and other ingredients.

The most common use for this herb mixture is to flavor desserts like ice cream and custard.

Furthermore, it is often used in cakes and custard pies.

When using parfait d’amour as a substitute for lavender in your recipes, you should be aware that the flavor of this herb mixture is very strong and aromatic – it has notes of lavender and vanilla.

It’s also noticeable that parfait d’amour is sweeter than lavender, so you should use less of this herb mixture when baking.

• Key Characteristics: Parfait d’Amour is a liqueur with a floral and citrusy flavor. While not a direct substitute for lavender, it can add a unique floral dimension to cocktails and desserts.
• Proper Ratio: Use a small amount (to taste) of Parfait d’Amour as a substitute for lavender. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired floral notes.

5 – Clary Sage

Clary sage is a shrub with white, blue, or pale yellow flowers.

It’s mostly used in aromatherapy because of its calming effects.

More specifically, it smells wonderful and can be compared to lavender.

Clary sage is often used to flavor meat dishes, but it can also be served as a tea with other herbs like peppermint.

This herb is a great substitute for lavender in dishes that require longer cooking times.

However, it has a much stronger flavor than lavender and should be used with caution.

• Key Characteristics: Clary sage is an herb with a sweet, earthy, and mildly floral aroma. It shares some similarities with lavender and can be used as a substitute in certain recipes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of clary sage as a substitute for lavender. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired level of floral essence.

Conclusion

Lavender is an extremely popular herb that is mostly used in Mediterranean cuisine.

It has an aromatic, floral, and slightly sweet flavor compared to a mixture of honey and citrus.

There are several substitutes for lavender on the market, but it’s important to be aware of their stronger flavors.

So if you’re looking for a substitute for lavender that is less potent, try using rosemary or lemon balm instead.

For best results and the most delicious dishes, always consider each herb’s aroma and taste.

This will help you avoid nasty surprises.