Imagine you're halfway through whipping up your signature dish. You’re about to liven it up with some fresh mint—only to find the bunch from last week now a wilted mess.
Luckily, I'm here to save dinner with the best eight mint substitute ingredients that pack a similar punch in both aroma and taste. Flat leaf parsley is often chosen for its subtle kick.
Do lemony herbs like lemon balm and lemon verbena achieve the same zingy freshness? Can mint extract substitute for fresh mint?Could you even use peppermint tea? Find out below!
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Understanding What Makes Fresh Mint Different
Mint is the cool kid of the herb world. That distinctive, refreshing mint flavor truly makes the taste buds dance.
Fresh mint leaves are like a burst of cold air on a hot summer day but in your mouth. The distinct flavor comes from menthol, which Medical News Today reports is responsible for its characteristic cooling sensation.
This green gem isn't just about freshness; it also has sweet undertones that pair well with a variety of dishes, making it more than just an after-dinner palate cleanser. From brightening up salads to giving mojitos their signature kick, mint's versatility is unmatched.
My Top 8 Fresh Mint Substitutes
When you need to replace mint leaves, our ingredient substitutes guide is exactly where you need to be. Here are my top picks for capturing that minty flavor and freshness.
1. Flat Leaf Parsley
Widely considered number one among the best mint substitutes, flat leaf parsley might just be your new kitchen comrade.
Now, I know what you're thinking—parsley and mint are quite different.
Flat leaf parsley has a more subtle taste but don't let that fool you—it packs an herby punch that complements many of the same sweet and savory dishes as mint does, such as marinated tuna steaks.
While both herbs have distinct flavors, they share an ability to bring freshness into play and can be swapped like-for-like.
Think about those times when your recipe calls for a bit of greenery and zest, but all you've got is this verdant underdog flat leaf parsley. It slides right into soups and stews like a charm because its sturdy leaves hold up better than mint would under heat.
Best for: Flat leaf parsley is a natural alternative to mint for garnishes. It works beautifully in fish & seafood recipes and virtually anything Italian! It's a solid choice for salads & dressings and hearty stews or soups alike.
2. Basil
Basil brings its own unique personality to the table, often described as peppery with subtle hints of anise and sweetness. It's great for livening up dishes like spring rolls or fruit salads and can be swapped in 1:1.
The charm of basil lies not just in its versatility but also in its accessibility. This herb is a staple in windowsill gardens across America. Its leaves are slightly larger than those of mint, which means you might want to chop them finely if you're after that delicate texture.
Best for: Basil is the best mint replacement for Greek recipes. It's delicious in salads and dressings, and it shines in marinades. It's got untapped potential in cocktails and is a natural choice for dips and salsas. And let's not forget garnishes!
3. Lemon Balm
When your garden or pantry is mint-less, fear not—lemon balm comes to the rescue with its mild citrus zing.
It's a member of the mint family, and it works like mint's long-lost cousin that shows up at the family BBQ and fits right in. They're so close, you can substitute equal parts lemon balm for mint and get fantastic results.
When you're whipping up a batch of iced tea or need a garnish for your Sunday roast chicken or air fryer salmon steak, this herb brings both aroma and taste to the table without overpowering your dish.
And if you've ever grown it yourself, you'll know this plant spreads faster than gossip in a small town (another characteristic of many other herbs in the mint family)—which means there’s plenty to go around.
Best for: As a mint alternative, lemon balm adds a zing to roasted vegetables and roasted meat. It's perfect with chicken or fish and seafood recipes. It's also wonderful in refreshing drinks and cocktails and a great option for salsas.
4. Cilantro
When you're in a pinch, and your recipe calls for fresh mint that you don't have, reach for cilantro.
Cilantro offers a lively punch of flavor, much like mint does, but it comes with its own twist: an earthy undertone paired with a zesty kick.
You can be generous with the cilantro. It can be swapped in for mint at a 2:1 ratio in most recipes.
This leafy green hero is not just for topping off tacos or stirring into salsas. Think about those fresh Vietnamese spring rolls where mint usually shines; swap in some cilantro and watch it take on the lead role beautifully.
Or let’s say you’ve got a yogurt-based dip that needs refreshing—cilantro will step right up. Just chop it as finely as possible to substitute for mint's texture and distribute its bold essence evenly through your dish.
Best for: When used as a substitute for mint, cilantro does some heavy lifting in stews and Mexican dishes, as well as South Asian & Southeast Asian cuisine - use the stalks while cooking! Finish up with the leaves for garnishes, plus salsas and salad dressings.
Related: 14 Best Cilantro Substitutes
5. Lemon Verbena
Ever found yourself needing mint for a mojito or herby marinade? Here's where lemon verbena steps up to the plate.
This herb can be somewhat pungent, so start with half the amount of mint you'd normally use and add more to taste.
Lemon verbena leaves bring more than just zest; they carry a slightly sweet undertone and a peppery flavor that pairs beautifully with dishes needing that refreshing lift - imagine that freshness elevating your crisp, tender air fryer halibut.
Best for: Lemon verbena adds the same wonderfully refreshing kick as mint when used in salad dressings. It enlivens roast lamb besides fish & seafood dishes and helps out underperforming salsas.
6. Peppermint Extract
When your garden mint has gone rogue or the store is fresh out, peppermint extract swings in to save your culinary creations.
Peppermint extract packs a punch with its intense flavor, so you'll want to use it sparingly.
When used as a substitute for fresh mint leaves, forget about ratios - add it one drop at a time and test the taste to avoid overpowering the dish.
Fancy some extra zing and color? Add a dash of lemon juice.
Best for: Mint extract is a perfect replacement for fresh mint in sweet dishes & desserts or chocolate mint recipes. A drop can also go a long way in cocktails and marinades.
7. Dried Mint
Drying herbs concentrates their flavors, so with dried mint, less is more—a little goes a long way. If you've ever used dried versus fresh herbs, you know they aren’t always interchangeable one-to-one.
Rule of thumb: use about one-third of what you'd need if it were fresh. This means if your recipe calls for three tablespoons of fresh mint, start off with just one tablespoon dried to hit that sweet spot.
But here's where things get really cool: even after drying out, mint keeps its signature peppery yet sweet flavor profile that brightens dishes from savory lamb to air fryer Italian sausage to zesty salads and even those chocolatey desserts begging for an herbal contrast. Whether you're using fresh or dried mint, you can still rely on that unique flavor.
Best for: As a fresh mint alternative, dried mint does plenty of work in stews and sprinkled over roasted vegetables, lamb, or chicken. It's an essential in Greek cuisine and works well in marinades.
8. Peppermint Tea
If you're looking for a fresh mint substitute that's both convenient and flavorful, peppermint tea is your go-to. It brings the essence of mint to dishes without having to dash to the store for fresh leaves.
It provides that delicious, refreshing, minty taste. And the experts at Healthline point out that it's also really good for you!
Peppermint tea captures the vibrant oils responsible for mint’s refreshing flavor profile. Try adding it one tablespoon at a time and taste to check the results; its potency depends on how long it's been brewed.
Best for: A dash of strong mint tea can invigorate cakes, cookies, and brownies in the same way as fresh mint. It can also add that distinctive flavor to hearty stews. Finally, minty cocktails are still on the menu as long as you have peppermint tea around!
Tips for Using Any Mint Substitute
- Fresh herbs are typically best when added right at the end of the cooking process. The stalks may be added earlier, but the tender leaves of mint, parsley, and basil wilt heavily when cooked for a long time.
- Mint-flavored ingredients like peppermint tea and mint oil/extract are usually better for baking. Savory dishes, salads, and salsas are better livened up with fresh replacements.
- If you're using peppermint oil or extract, be very sparing. These ingredients have a powerful flavor and only a drop or two is usually required.
Mint Substitute FAQs
You can substitute fresh mint for numerous fresh, zingy herbs. Flat leaf parsley, cilantro, and basil are all great choices. Lemony herbs like lemon balm and lemon verbena are also popular alternatives.
Nothing is quite the same as fresh mint. However, herbs with a sharp, refreshing flavor profile make great substitutes for mint in cocktails, stews, roasts, salsas, and more.
Need to substitute mint in a Greek recipe? Consider basil and flat leaf parsley—both considered staples of Greek cuisine and perfect when added just before serving.
Also consider using dried mint for hearty roasted lamb or chicken.
Peppermint oil and mint extract are sometimes used interchangeably, mostly in sweet dishes. You only need a couple of drops to get a powerful minty flavor!
Truly Minted Ideas to Upgrade Your Recipes
Don't put off making a recipe just because you're missing a few leaves.
These alternatives provide an answer for every occasion you'd need fresh mint—and using them will open your eyes to how versatile these ingredients truly are.
Let's freshen up our recipes and freshen up our thinking. Give these replacements a try today!
Recipe
Best Mint Substitutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Flat Leaf Parsley
- 1 tablespoon Basil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Balm
Instructions
- Replace mint with flat leaf parsley in a 1:1 ratio for a fresh, slightly different flavor profile in savory dishes.
- Basil can substitute for mint at a 1:1 ratio, providing a sweet and aromatic alternative in both sweet and savory recipes.
- Lemon balm can be used in place of mint at a 1:1 ratio, offering a lemony mint flavor that's ideal for teas and desserts.
Notes
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