11/14/2025
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and many of us get our creative juices going. When I find a recipe with an herb that I do not have in my cupboard then I get my essential oils out. 
Have you substituted herbs with essential oils?
If you have ever used fresh herbs instead of dried, you know the flavor and the quantity used is different. The same rule applies to essential oils.
Here's some quick tips for using essential oils when cooking in place of herbs:
• Start small
• Use a toothpick, dropper or syringe to control what is dispersed
• 1 toothpick dip = Dip a toothpick into the essential oil & dip it once into the recipe
• 1 toothpick swirl = Dip a toothpick into the essential oil & swirl it around in the recipe
• Be sure to use a fresh toothpick with each use so as not to contaminate the essential oil bottle
• 1/2 drop = Drop an essential oil into a spoon, then use the tip of a sharp knife to obtain the desired amount of oil & add it to the recipe
• 1/2 t dried herbs = 1 1/2 t fresh herbs = 2-3 toothpick swirls
• 1 t dried herbs = 1 T fresh herbs = 1 drop
Hot, savory, or spicy herbs are hard to judge (for example, Basil oil may be much more subtle in flavor than Oregano), so the general rule should be: if it isn't citrus oil, use a toothpick until you test it.
Thank You Hayley B Essentials