Italian cuisineis among the tastiest, freshest, most versatile foods in the Mediterranean.
Aside from pizza, pasta, and pastries, Italians love to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, as well as freshly-caught seafood. Still, with all this food, Italian cuisine is considered amongthe healthiest in the world.
Wondering what their secret is? Here are 8 Italian cooking spices and herbs you can use to bring the taste of Italian cuisine to your kitchen.
1. Basil
Basil is an aromatic herb essential to many Italian dishes, especially pesto. You can use it fresh in salads, dressings, or other cold dishes. Dried basil is also delicious in stews, soups, roasted meat, and sauces.
2. Thyme
Thyme is one of the main herbs in Italian cooking with a subtle minty flavor and a sweet and strong scent. Dried thyme is mainly added to stews, meat, and roasted potatoes.
Fresh thyme is mostly used in salads and dressings as it has a slightly more pungent flavor than dried. Thyme pairs perfectly with fresh garlic and lemon.
3. Oregano
Oregano is atypical Italian herb mainly used in pizza and pasta sauces. It's one of the most versatile spices to have at home as you can add it to stews, meat dishes, salads, and salad dressings.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is a classic Italian seasoning that gives meals a distinct herbal flavor and aroma. It pairs best with garlic and lemon and Italians love to use it freshor dried in chicken dishes, pasta dishes, salads, and sauces.
5. Sage
One of the most aromatic herbs in Italian cuisine is sage. You can use it on pasta, risotto, roasted potatoes, lasagna, chicken, and fatty meats.
Fresh sage pairs with fresh homemade cheese, pastries, marinades, and even freshcompound butter.
6. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are an essential part of Italian cuisine and are mostly added to soups, stews, and sauces to enrich their flavor.
Though you can't (and shouldn't) eat a whole bay leaf, adding them to meals will give them a taste you'll never forget.
7. Parsley
Parsley, specifically the flat-leaf variety, is astaple in Italian cuisine. It goes great with seafood, fish, stews and soups, as well as salads.
Whether you prefer it dried or fresh, parsley will give a rich flavor to pasta sauces, salad dressings, and is especially delicious sprinkled on top of a pizza.
8. Marjoram
Marjoram is similar to oregano but it has a milder taste and a slightly more floral aroma. You can use it fresh or dried and add it to all kinds of Italian dishes, salads and salad dressings, sauces, marinade, and stews.
Both oregano and marjoram have a pretty strong flavor, so we recommend using them in moderate amounts so as not to overpower the flavor of the meal.
These Italian Cooking Spices Will Make Your Dishes Fresh and Flavorful
Whether this is your first time preparing Italian dishes or you're an experienced home cook, these cooking spices will transport you to Italy with every bite.
If you need some cooking inspiration for your Italian meals, read about the5 most iconic foods to try in Italy and that you can make at home.
FAQs
Italian spices
“Among the fresh spices I use to season my Italian recipes, my favourites are basil, rosemary, oregano, coriander, thyme, bay leaf, chives and the indispensable Italian parsley.” But when he doesn't want to complicate things, Terry uses the Italian dried spice blends you find in any supermarket.
What herbs and spices are used in Italian cooking? ›
Italian spices
“Among the fresh spices I use to season my Italian recipes, my favourites are basil, rosemary, oregano, coriander, thyme, bay leaf, chives and the indispensable Italian parsley.” But when he doesn't want to complicate things, Terry uses the Italian dried spice blends you find in any supermarket.
What spices are found in the Italian pantry? ›
While there are many fresh and dried herbs and spices on the market to consider, there are several that Aviram says are ideal for cooking Italian dishes.
- Oregano. ...
- Basil. ...
- Bay leaves. ...
- Rosemary. ...
- Thyme. ...
- Crushed red pepper. ...
- Fennel seeds.
Garlic- is arguably one of the most common spices used. This savory flavor is a staple because it compliments cheese so well. Pepper- Fresh ground pepper is all over Italian food. Don't think you will ever find pre-ground pepper at your table, because Italians know the best pepper is the sort that is freshly ground.
What is the staple herb of Italian cuisine? ›
Basil (ital. "basilico") is probably the best known and most popular herb in Italian cuisine. It is also called the royal herb. No wonder, after all, it "ennobles" many dishes: for example, the antipasti classic Caprese with fruity tomatoes or a wonderfully aromatic pesto with fresh, homemade pasta.
Do Italians use black pepper? ›
Pepper — “Fresh ground pepper?” Black pepper is nearly as common as salt in all types of cooking, but you'd never be caught dead with a pepper shaker in an Italian restaurant. Whole black peppercorns should be ground at the table or straight into the cooking pot.
What are four commonly used cheeses in Italian cuisine? ›
The four most popular Italian kinds of cheese for grating as an ingredient or garnish are Asiago, Grana Padano, Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan) & Pecorino, with Parmesan leading. Italian cheese makers still tend for the most part to use milk from their area, contributing to a strong local character to the cheeses.
What is the preferred cooking fat in Italy? ›
In most Italian households, cooking is usually done with extra virgin olive oil which is the preferred choice of fats and is used extensively on salads and most of the things they eat! Olive oil contains healthy fats which are much better than saturated or trans fat and are easy to digest and assimilate efficiently.
What to use if you don't have Italian seasoning? ›
Simply use equal parts basil and oregano! These are the main ingredients in Italian seasonings and the ones that have the strongest flavor profile. These are the main herbs that you need to make your own Italian seasoning. Honestly, if you have those two then you've got yourself a great substitute.
What are the 9 Italian herbs? ›
basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary,thyme, marjoram,sage, sea salt, black pepper. We use marjoram, oregano, basil, thyme and bay leaf in Italian.
When it comes to food and drink, few can top Italy's stellar reputation. Ask anyone to name their favourite dishes and you can guarantee things like pizza, pasta and gelato soon come tripping off the tongue.
What are the 6 Italian herbs? ›
Ingredients: Oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, marjoram, sage.
What are the aromatic herbs used in Italian food? ›
Among the numerous aromatic herbs that are most used in Italian recipes, four of them define the heart of Italian cooking: basil, parsley, rosemary and oregano. Perhaps the most iconic of all Italian herbs, basil boasts a fresh, sweet flavor with hints of anise and pepper.
What is Italian seasoning the same as mixed herbs? ›
Italian Seasoning: Mediterranean Flavors
It typically contains a combination of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. Sometimes, sage, cilantro, and red pepper flakes may be included in the mix. Unlike Herbs de Provence, Italian seasoning does not contain lavender.
What does Italian herb seasoning contain? ›
An aromatic mix of oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram bring Italian flavor to a host of dishes. Depending on who you ask, Italian seasoning can be either simple or complex. Hard-line purists believe that Italian cuisine should only be seasoned with three fixings: extra virgin olive oil, salt, and vinegar.
Does Italian food use a lot of spices? ›
Italians don't use a lot of spices or sauces to enhance their dishes. So, don't try to overcomplicate Italian recipes with extra ingredients or fancy cooking techniques. Just keep it simple, and let the natural flavours of the ingredients do the talking!
