Substitutions / bay leaf
What to use instead of bay leaf
Use dried thyme in equal amounts. Earthier and slightly more assertive, so start with a little less and taste as you go.
Every option, best first
| Use instead | How much | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried thyme | 1:1 | Earthier and slightly more assertive, so start with a little less and taste as you go. |
| Dried oregano | 1:1 | More pungent and Mediterranean in character — works well in tomato-based dishes but can overpower delicate ones. |
| Fresh thyme | 2–3 sprigs / leaf | Brighter, less subtle than bay; remove stems before serving. |
How much is a cup of bay leaf?
Substituting by volume and weighing are different problems, and the second one has an exact answer. Weigh bay leaf in grams →
A word on how to read these
A substitution is a trade, not an equivalence. The ratio gets the quantity right; the third column is the part worth reading, because it tells you what you are giving up. In a stew, most of these are invisible. In a cake — where flour, liquid, fat and leavening are in a fixed relationship — the same swap can change the crumb.
Why baking notices and stew doesn't →
Where these came from
These substitutions were written by Gather's own kitchen model — the same one the app uses when you tap an ingredient and ask what else would work — then checked and saved as a fixed list in July 2026. Nothing on this page is generated while you read it. They are a good starting point and not a substitute for tasting as you go.