Home Articles 10 Substitutes for Tarragon (+ Best Alternatives to Use)

10 Substitutes for Tarragon (+ Best Alternatives to Use)

These substitutes for tarragon will save you from mid-recipe panic when you don’t have any on hand.

Have you ever been in the middle of cooking dinner and then realized you’re missing something?

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With a list like this, you’ll be able to find something that you definitely have in your pantry. No more frenzied trips to the grocery store. 

Organic Dry Tarragon Spice in a White Bowl

Plus, these substitutes for tarragon will work if you just want to use something different or have an allergy. 

Find the perfect substitute for tarragon for your recipe and taste.

I’ll even make it easy for you and give you substitution hints and tips, too!

What is Tarragon?

Tarragon is an herb with lots of flavor and aroma.

French tarragon is usually the most popular because it blends incredibly with meat and poultry dishes. 

You can identify tarragon by its slender leaves and strong aroma. It also has a flavor similar to licorice or anise.

This is something that many consider when adding it to recipes. 

If the licorice flavor isn’t your favorite, try some of these substitutes.

They’ll still add a lovely herb flavor to your dishes, but not all of them have the same anise aroma. 

Best Tarragon Substitutes

Dried Rosemary in a Bottle

1. Rosemary

Rosemary is a fantastic substitute for tarragon. It’s very likely that you already have it in your pantry, so this one is a no-brainer!

I will say, rosemary works best when used in its dried form.

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It’s easy to convert the measurements and rosemary is more pungent when it’s dried.

However, if you have fresh rosemary, try using the stems, as they hold most of the flavor and aroma. 

Rosemary is often described as piney, minty, or earthy. It has a very distinct fragrance but will substitute tarragon nicely. 

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of Dried Rosemary

Dried Angelica Root in a Wooden Chopping Board

2. Angelica 

Angelica, although it may be difficult to find, is a great substitute for tarragon. It has a very earthy and sweet flavor profile.

Angelica can be found as the root, stalk, or stem. When substituting for tarragon, be sure to use the stalk or stem.

They’re more herb-flavored, while the root is more of a spice. 

Use this substitute in almost any recipe. It’s great for soups and stews or lighter dishes like salads or seafood. 

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of Fresh Angelica

Fresh Basil Leaves in a Chopping Board

3. Basil

Basil is much easier to find, and you probably already have it in your pantry.

The flavor is very close to tarragon, and it’s almost identical. However, basil doesn’t have that same anise flavor. 

Fresh basil works best as a substitute.

Feel free to use dried, but the ratio will be different as dried basil is not as pungent as it is when it’s fresh. 

Basil works splendidly in soups, pasta, and poultry or fish recipes

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 2 Tbsp of Fresh Basil

4. Dill

Dill is a very close match to tarragon but without the distinct licorice aroma. Depending on your recipe, this may not even matter. 

Looking for that licorice flavor? I would use a different substitute.

Otherwise, for recipes that work well without the licorice flavor profile, dill is perfect!

I love the flavor of dill in sauces or fish dishes. 

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of Fresh Dill

Fennel Seeds in a Wooden Spoon and Glass Bottle

5. Fennel Seeds or Fronds

Fennel has a very pungent bouquet of anise in the seeds or leaves (fronds) of fennel.

Fennel seeds do have a bit more of that flavor, so you can mix and match the fronds and seeds for the ideal blend.

If you use fennel seeds, the ratio is much different from using the leaves. Be very mindful of this when substituting. 

The leaves work terrifically in lighter dishes and the seeds are great for strong flavors.

Dishes with pork sausage are so tasty with added fennel. 

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of Fresh Fennel Fronds or ⅛ Tbsp Fennel Seeds. 

Dried Thyme Leaves in a Wooden Bowl

6. Thyme

Thyme is a fragrant herb that has a floral earthiness. It’s a lovely substitute for tarragon since its flavor holds up well to cooking. 

The flavor of thyme is also described as lemony or peppery. The flavor is not very similar to tarragon.

However, it works because it pairs well with the other herbs and spices commonly used in dishes with tarragon. 

Use thyme in poultry dishes or soups.  

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = ½ tsp of Fresh Thyme

Dried Marjoram Leaves in a Wooden Spoon

7. Marjoram 

Marjoram can be substituted for tarragon in both dried and fresh applications.

It has very warm flavors, similar to cinnamon, ginger, mint, and lavender.

The earthy aroma makes it a wonderful substitute for tarragon. 

Marjoram is another herb that’s missing the licorice flavor but won’t change the flavor of your dish too much. 

Substitution Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of Fresh Marjoram

Bunch of Fresh parsley

8. Parsley and Cinnamon

Parsley and cinnamon used in combination with each other make a spectacular substitute for tarragon.

This works best when fresh herbs are used. Together, they’re bitter and sweet, just like tarragon!

If you prefer, try simmering the two herbs in some water to extract the flavors and aromas.

Use the resulting “tea” just as you would the tarragon herb. 

This substitution really works well when you’re preparing a béarnaise sauce but missing the important tarragon. 

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of strong Parsley & Cinnamon tea. 

(You may need to experiment and adjust accordingly)

Bunch of Fresh Chervil Leaves

9. Chervil

Chervil is one of the less common herbs. Its shape is similar to flat-leaf parsley. 

This is a great substitute for tarragon because it has a similar anise flavor.

Chervil is often described as a mix between tarragon, parsley, and chives.

It’s also pretty subtle, so always be sure to taste and adjust your seasonings. 

Chervil is best used in salad dressings and sauces, and it’s a delicious herb for poultry. 

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 Tbsp of Fresh Chervil

Bowl of Anise

10. Anise

Anise, also known as aniseed, is a beautiful substitute for tarragon.

It’s used as an herb, but it’s actually a dried fruit. It comes from the pimenta officinalis lindl plant, and it’s in the parsley family of herbs.

Anise has a very pungent licorice flavor and a very small amount yields the same aroma of tarragon.

Aniseed can be used in a variety of sweet or savory dishes.

Ratio: 1 Tbsp of Fresh Tarragon = 1 pinch of Anise

10 Best Substitutes for Tarragon

Try these substitutes for tarragon when you don’t happen to have any. From rosemary to basil to dill, there are 10 great alternatives to use.

Ingredients

  • Best Tarragon Substitutes

  • Rosemary

  • Angelica

  • Basil

  • Dill

  • Fennel Seeds or Fronds

  • Thyme

  • Marjoram

  • Parsley and Cinnamon

  • Chervil

  • Anise

Directions

  • Choose your favorite tarragon substitute.
  • Use in all your favorite baking recipes (from cookies and cakes to breads!)
Substitutes for Tarragon

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INSANELYGOOD

Hey there! I'm Kim. I love running, cooking, and curling up with a good book! I share recipes for people who LOVE good food, but want to keep things simple :)

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