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The Global Insight

Can you use lemon thyme instead of thyme

Author

David Craig

Updated on April 20, 2026

Lemon thyme and thyme can be used interchangeably in most recipes. … Lemon thyme can be used to replace the regular variety but we recommend using it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish with citrus. If you’ve got no lemon thyme or thyme then use oregano, rosemary, marjoram, sage, or dried basil.

Are thyme and lemon thyme the same?

Lemon thyme is one of the many varieties of thyme. … It looks just like regular thyme, with long, thin sprigs with tiny spear-shaped green leaves. You’ll notice a difference immediately when you crush a few of its leaves and breath in its sweet, lemony aroma.

What is the difference between lemon thyme and English thyme?

English thyme has dark green, oval leaves, and French thyme has narrow gray leaves. One of the most popular culinary thymes, lemon thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is known for its enticing lemon scent and taste.

Can you use lemon thyme for cooking?

Lemon thyme can be used to flavour poultry, seafood, and vegetables, and will accentuate the natural flavour profiles of fish and meat dishes in particular. It can be added to marinades, stews, soups, salads, sauces, bouquet garnis and stuffing, and a few sprigs also make an attractive garnish.

What can I substitute for thyme?

  • Oregano. Fresh or dried, oregano hits many of the same earthy, minty, savory and slightly bitter notes as thyme. …
  • Marjoram. You can also use fresh or dried marjoram in place of thyme. …
  • Basil. …
  • Savory. …
  • Poultry seasoning. …
  • Italian seasoning. …
  • Za’atar. …
  • Herbes de Provence.

Does thyme smell like lemon?

A favorite of all thymes, lemon thyme is great in the garden and the kitchen. Easy to grow. Although it looks like German thyme (or English thyme), it definitely tastes and smells like lemon.

How do I use lemon thyme herb?

Lemon thyme is best used fresh. Chop lemon thyme leaves just before use and add at the very end of the cooking process, before they lose flavor and color. Lemon thyme may be added to poultry, seafood, vegetable, marinades, stews, soups, sauces, and stuffing while fresh sprigs of this herb make a lovely garnish.

Is lemon thyme poisonous to dogs?

Although these plants are not toxic to humans, they are toxic to dogs and other small animals. This plant contains a sap that can be quite irritating to the skin and, when consumed, to the gastrointestinal tract.

Can lemon thyme be dried?

In A Dehydrator You can do this on or off the stems, but the drying time will vary. Lay the thyme in a single layer over the dehydrator tray/s, leaving some space in-between, for the air to circulate. Dry the thyme at 105°F/40°C for between 2-5 hours, until it is completely dry and brittle.

Can lemon thyme grow indoors?

Featuring a light citrus-like flavor, lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodus) is a useful herb to grow indoors on a kitchen windowsill. Outdoors, this evergreen herb grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Indoor-grown plants rarely suffer from pests or other garden nuisances.

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Which thyme is best cooking?

Culinary thyme varieties with the best flavor are narrow-leaf French, broadleaf English, lemon thyme and mother-of-thyme, recommends Master Gardener Joyce Schillen of the Oregon State University Extension Service’s Jackson County office. The plants have the best flavor just before their flowers open.

What is the Panadol plant?

The panadol plant or plectranthus caninus roth is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint, labiatae/deadnettle) family. It comes from a family of flowering plants. … On the website research shows that the panadol plant is used to treat gum and skin diseases.

Is creeping lemon thyme edible?

Just like other thyme varieties, creeping thyme is edible with a flavor and aroma akin to mint when crushed or steeped for teas or tinctures. To harvest creeping thyme ground cover, either remove the leaves from the stems or dry them by snipping from the plant and hanging them upside down in a dark, well-aerated area.

Can you replace thyme with rosemary?

The other most common hard herb that makes for a decent substitute is rosemary. Rosemary is also unique in flavor but it can almost always be used in place of thyme for both savory and sweet recipes.

Is thyme and oregano the same?

No, oregano and thyme are not the same, per se. … Oregano is a member of the Origanum Genus. Thyme is a member of the Thymus Genus. Both of these genera belong to the wider family known as the Lamiaceae which is a family of mint-like herbs.

How do I substitute dried thyme for fresh?

The best option for fresh thyme is to use dried if you have it on hand! Here’s the conversion ratio. Ratio: For 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, substitute 1 teaspoon dried thyme. (This works for any dried herbs.)

Can lemon thyme grow in shade?

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) When planted in the shade, thyme may bloom less, but the heady fragrance and beauty will always remain. Thyme does best in dappled sunlight rather than deep shade. It dislikes wet locations but is ideal for dry part shade.

Is lemon thyme perennial?

Thymus citriodorus, the lemon thyme or citrus thyme, is a lemon-scented evergreen mat-forming perennial plant in the famly Lamiaceae. … citriodorus is an evergreen sub-shrub, growing to 0.1 metres (3.9 in) in height by 0.3 metres (12 in) in spread. It prefers full sun and well draining soil.

What does lemon thyme taste like?

Lemon thyme delivers a soft herbal thyme flavor, along with a subtle essence of lemon. It’s a little bit sweet and a little bit sour. It pairs well in everything from salads and vegetable dishes, to meat, and fish. With its astringent, lemony flavor —you won’t be disappointed!

How do you identify lemon thyme?

Identify my lemon thyme They’re greyish-green, silky and aromatic. It’s purple or white, whorled bunches of flowers bloom from May to October. Simply rub the foliage and you’ll recognize it’s distinct aroma!

What zone is lemon thyme?

Common Name:Lemon ThymeHardiness Zone: 6-8S/9WExposure: SunFind your zone? LookupBlooms In: Jun-AugMature Height: 6-12″Spacing: 8-10″Read our Growing GuideShips as: 1 PINT 28.86 CU IN.

Is lemon thyme Hardy?

This hardy perennial herb is easy to grow and unfussy about soil or site conditions. Thyme is useful as ground cover, and can also be used in coastal areas, where it copes well with winds and dry conditions.

How do you dry lemon thyme?

  1. Place 1 paper towel flat on your plate.
  2. Lay out Thyme sprigs in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top.
  3. Microwave 1 minute and 30 seconds, then in 15 second increments until dry. …
  4. After leaves are dry and crunchy, remove and discard stems.

How do you store lemon thyme?

Swirl woody sprigs in cold water and spread on a clean towel to dry. Wrap the herbs in a slightly damp paper towel. These bundles keep leaves protected and hydrated to stay fresh longer. Store in an open plastic bag in your fridge’s crisper drawer.

Is lemon thyme poisonous to cats?

Thyme. According to many trusted scientific sources, thyme is completely safe for humans and cats. There are about 350 species of thyme around the world today, with common thyme, wild thyme, and lemon thyme being the most popular.

Is Lemongrass bad for dogs?

Lemongrass ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues when eaten in large quantities. If you dog ingests a small amount, it most likely will not cause harm but if you are concerned, always contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control.

Is Rosemary poisonous to dogs?

The short answer is yes. Rosemary is considered non-toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA, and it may even have health benefits for your pup. Rosemary has a wide variety of uses, including serving as a potent ingredient for cooking, offering medicinal properties, and providing a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Does lemon thyme like humidity?

Humidity: Average room (around 40% relative humidity). Soil: Sandy, well-drained soil, such as cactus mix. Or use 2 parts all-purpose potting mix with 1 part horticultural sand or perlite.

What is the easiest herb to grow indoors?

Basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors, whether you have them in the garden already or wish to plant them now.

How much should you water lemon thyme?

Make sure the soil drains well – thyme plants enjoy a variety of poor, rocky, nutrient deficient soils, so long as their roots don’t get waterlogged. After planting, water deeply two or three times per week, or when the soil is dry an inch or two deep, to help establish their roots.

How do you make herb thyme?

Thyme (fresh and dried) pairs well with meats of all kinds, chicken, stews, soups, eggs, pastas, vegetables and beans. Fresh thyme is nice with fish and seafood. Think of thyme when you are making lasagna, sautéing or roasting vegetables, roasting chicken, pork, lamb, or beef, and making any sort of potato dish.