Cook · Recipe

Italian Herb Mix

A salt-free dried herb blend of basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary for tomato sauces, pizza, bread, marinades and roast vegetables.

By Gary Burfield-Wallis First published Updated
Rustic flat lay of a wooden table with small glass jars of Italian herb mix, a spoon scattering dried herbs, and nearby pasta, bread, and roasted vegetables under warm natural ligh

At a glance

Recipe summary

Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Serves
About 6 tbsp
Skill
Easy

This simple salt-free blend gives you one jar for pasta sauce, pizza, garlic bread, roast vegetables and marinades. Because it contains no salt, you can season the finished dish separately.

What you need

Ingredients

Metric US Ingredient
30 ml 2 tbsp dried basil
30 ml 2 tbsp dried oregano
15 ml 1 tbsp dried thyme
15 ml 1 tbsp dried rosemary Crush large leaves before mixing.
2.5 ml ½ tsp dried sage or marjoram Optional.

How to make it

Method

  1. Put the 30 ml dried basil, 30 ml oregano, 15 ml thyme and 15 ml rosemary in a small bowl.
  2. Crush any large rosemary leaves between your fingers or with a pestle and mortar so the blend distributes evenly.
  3. Stir in the optional 2.5 ml sage or marjoram, then mix until the herbs look evenly combined.
  4. Transfer to a clean, completely dry airtight jar and label it with the date.

Useful notes

Equipment

  • Small mixing bowl
  • Spoon or small whisk
  • Pestle and mortar, optional
  • Clean airtight spice jar

Substitutions

  • Use marjoram instead of the optional sage for a softer, sweeter blend.
  • Reduce the rosemary if you prefer a gentler mix for tomato sauces.

Allergen notes

  • The core blend has no obvious major UK allergens, but check individual packaged herbs for precautionary labelling.

Storage

Keep in a tightly closed jar in a cool, dark cupboard. It is best used within 6 months, although the aroma—not safety—is usually the first thing to decline.

Tips

  • Rub a measured pinch between your palms before adding it to a dish to release more aroma.
  • Start with 1 teaspoon per four portions of sauce, soup or vegetables, then adjust to taste.
  • Keep the blend salt-free so seasoning can be controlled separately in each dish.