

One dried bay leaf = ¼ tsp ground bay leaves. One fresh bay leaf = two dried bay leaves.
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Here’s how to swap fresh, dried, and ground bay leaves to match their intended taste. Since fresh, dried, and ground bay leaves have different potencies, you don’t want to substitute them in equal amounts. Can You Substitute Fresh, Dried, and Ground Bay Leaves? But it can certainly work in Caribbean sauces and curries, and homemade aromatic teas. An Indian bay leaf tastes like cloves, cinnamon, and allspice, so it won’t work as a bay leaf substitute. If you come across an Indian bay leaf, it’s a different species entirely. If you find fresh bay leaves in North America, they’re most likely California bay leaves and will have a sharper taste. California bay leaves grow on the California bay tree and have a strong eucalyptus, minty flavor. Turkish bay leaves are sweeter and milder, which is why they’re the preferred cooking variety. Turkish bay leaves grow on the Mediterranean bay laurel tree. If your recipe doesn’t specify which variety to use, it’s probably a fresh or dried Turkish bay leaf you’d be after.

There are two different types of bay leaves: Turkish bay leaves and California bay leaves. You’ll always want to start with a very tiny amount (exact measurements are listed below).įish Stock Substitute | Use this if you're out or want to go vegetarian California Bay Leaves Vs. Keep this in mind if you substitute ground bay leaves for a whole leaf. However, dried, crushed bay leaves will distribute more flavor throughout your whole dish, which can backfire and leave your recipe tasting too minty. As with most herbs, whole bay leaves have a stronger flavor than their crushed, dried counterparts. Not only are they unpleasant to chew and eat whole, but they can also damage your digestive tract (so don’t forget to toss ‘em before dishing up). Bay leaves are stiff even after being slow-cooked for several hours, so they need to be removed and discarded before serving. Typically, one bay leaf is more than enough to flavor an entire recipe. Due to their pungent nature, bay leaves are used sparingly. There are no herbs or spices that replicate the exact flavor of a bay leaf- although some herbs embody a similar menthol, pepper, or “piney” taste and come close.

They taste peppery and minty, with hints of pine, so that’s what you want to keep in mind when you choose a bay leaf substitute. What’s the Best Bay Leaf Substitute? 5 Options for When You’re Outīay leaves have a strong flavor, a little bitter.Can You Substitute Fresh, Dried, and Ground Bay Leaves?.
