A few days back, when my husband’s cousin Michelle visited us, we had a great time.
Those macarons were great, as I described them, but something else occupied our conversation.
Since she owns a bakery, I asked if it happens for her to replace a specific ingredient with something else.
Tarragon Substitute
When it comes to baking, she informed me that following the recipe is important, but she enjoys experimenting at home. Tarragon was thus mentioned. Although I wasn’t a huge lover of this spice, she gave me several excellent substitutes.
As a consequence, I tried out a few things, and the outcomes of my investigation are shown below.
What is tarragon in the first place, and how should I use it?
If you didn’t know, estragon is the second name for tarragon.
It belongs to the sunflower family and is a perennial herb. Only Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa is recognized among the other variants for its fragrant qualities. Both French and Mexican varieties, nevertheless, may be used for meals, with the latter having a little greater anise flavor.
Speaking of meals, this herb is most commonly used in French cuisine, so if you’ve just traveled to Paris and want to relive that wonderful experience, this is one of the best ways to do so. It may be used fresh or dried, with dried being the more readily available option.
The flavor of tarragon is similar to that of anise, and some people may love it and others may not (including me).
Fortunately, I’ve created this list just with it in mind. Additionally, it could inspire you to try out some adorable ideas.
Which variety to replace?
There are several varieties of this spice, but as I learned, the most famous are Russian and French tarragon.
The first kind grows much better, but the latter is most often used in dishes. Its licorice aroma is what makes meals delicious or not, depending on your point of view.
Also, it matters if the tarragon is used fresh or dried. They are not the same, and similarly, with bay leaf, the taste changes toward more subtle when it is used in a dried variety.
Of course, I will cover both of those situations, so you will know what to do in the given situation.
Fresh Variety
In case you wanted to make Béarnaise sauce, you will need a fresh batch of tarragon.
This sauce is excellent when paired with steak, as my hubby can testify, but one of my sons and I were slightly repelled by tarragon.
Because of that, I have tried these three spices, and they have proven to be celebrated in replacing them.
- Basil leaves
- Chervil
- Fennel fronds
Of course, I didn’t make sauce three times. I’ve made the same amount, only to split it into three parts, and put different spices in each.
Now, the tricky part was to guess how much of each will give the same amount of taste.
Here is a general rule which can be taken into consideration for replacing tarragon:
When replacing fresh with fresh, use the same amount as the recipe asks.
When replacing fresh with dried, add a small amount and gradually increase it, with the occasional tryout.
But, I want to replace dried tarragon, what to do?
As I have noticed, there are more dried spices that can replace dried tarragon, which makes things easier.
What makes them harder is the question of whether you want to replace that licorice note or lean more toward Mediterranean cuisine.
For the first case, I would strongly advise you to try using anise seed. Those have a similar taste as tarragon so you will notice just a slight difference.
On the other hand, if you don’t want this to happen, consider using:
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Dill
- Marjoram
- Oregano
Again, since they can differ, my suggestion is to use a bit smaller quantity of each and slowly add more, in case it is needed.
Bear in mind that fresh tarragon has a much stronger taste, so if the recipe asks for dried one, and you have only fresh at hand, add just a small amount.
You don’t want it to overshadow other tastes, don’t you?
I don’t like the taste of it, what should I do?
If you are in the same situation as I do, and you don’t prefer this spice, don’t fret.
There are still a lot of spices that can bring quite a similar sensation.
Since there are some herbs that can be used for a different goals, let me describe them a bit more in detail.
1. Dill
- A slight resemblance to tarragon can be achieved with this herb. You will recognize it by its narrow leaves and known aroma. Since it is slightly bitter, it is best used when applied to meat and fish, such as salmon.
2. Basil
- Although there are a lot of varieties of this herb, including sweet, lemon, holy, and Thai, it is highly likely that you have used it before. It is a fantastic alternative for tarragon, and in case you wanted to make something that features cheese, chicken, or make an excellent sauce, this is your ingredient.
3. Marjoram
- Another fantastic replacement for tarragon, marjoram, is somewhat sweeter than the latter. It is excellent for being used in soups, stews, and especially sauces. Its lemon-like flavor replaces the licorice hint of the tarragon to some extent.
4. Chervil
- Besides anise, chervil is by taste often mistaken for tarragon. However, it has a bit more subtle flavor, so you should be careful when adding it to your meals. Too much can backfire and ruin the dish. Speaking of meals, it is incredible for white fish, salads, sauces, and eggs.
5. Thyme
- I know what you are thinking right now. “Thyme has a completely different taste than tarragon, how it can replace it?” although you are right, there are several cases, such as this amazing lemon and thyme lamb chops. You won’t be able to tell the difference, I guarantee it.
6. Anise
- This is perhaps the closest to tarragon I could get. Anise features the same hint of licorice-like taste. If you overdo it, it can give a much sweeter taste than intended. Therefore, keep it in low quantities, and increase bit by bit every next time you make the same meal.
7. Fennel
- Well, if I decide to try to make homemade absinthe, I will need this herb. Until then, I can use it as a replacement for tarragon. However, it features a mild taste when leaves are used, and adds a slightly sweeter taste. Try this frozen fennel dessert, just to see what to expect.
See Also: The Best Substitutes for Fennel Seeds
Conclusion
So, here we are.
Among so many spices and additives, I have separated those which I believe to be the most up for this task.
Tarragon substitute is easy to find since I have listed so many of them that it is almost impossible not to find at least one. 🙂