How to Use Oregano in Cooking (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

FAQs

How is oregano used in cooking? ›

Some of the most common uses of oregano include tomato-centric recipes, like pizza and pasta sauce, as well as olive oil-based dishes. Oregano is commonly combined with olive oil to create flavorful oregano oil, Italian vinaigrettes, and marinades for lamb, chicken, and beef dishes.

Our pure oregano is a delicious addition to any tomato dish, eggs and omelets, chicken, fish and pork, cooked vegetables, vinaigrettes and more. Consider it your go-to herb for that real Mediterranean flavor.

Oregano is commonly used to balance an acidic or salty dish with its hint of sweetness. It's used frequently in Mediterranean cooking, especially Italian and Greek food, but also popular in Mexican cuisine, as well as Argentinian and Turkish food.

Dried oregano should be added to dishes at the beginning of the cooking time to ensure it has time to infuse into the other ingredients. Fresh oregano can be added near the end of the cooking process to help preserve more of its flavor.

Oregano has a spicy and pungent flavor, similar to marjoram but not as sweet. This is a very bold herb and using it will make a dramatic impact in any recipe; a small amount goes a long way. Adding full sprigs of oregano to the cavity of poultry or fish can add subtle flavor while the meat is cooking.

Cooking with fresh oregano

When you're looking for an intense herbaceous flavor, fresh oregano is a great choice to pair with meats, vegetables, and pasta dishes.

Greek oregano tends to be the most savory and earthy, while Italian is milder and Turkish is more pungent. Used fresh or dry, Mediterranean oregano is the choice for dishes from this region, tomato sauces, pizzas, grilled meats, and other dishes with strong flavors.

Oregano's warm, aromatic taste really does pair well with just about every veggie and Italian chicken dish you may consider cooking.

Oregano is a medicinal herb with a long list of health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It also helps in digestion. In addition, it is a versatile herb that can be easily incorporated into your diet and used in various recipes in fresh, dried, or oil form.

Oregano is power-packed with fibre. Eating it regularly may boost our digestive system. We all know that fibre is an essential element of a healthy digestive system; it adds bulk to our stool and stimulates peristaltic motion, which moves food through the digestive tract and excretes it efficiently.

Can you put oregano in spaghetti? ›

When it comes to spice, the consensus is that fresh garlic, browned onions, bell peppers and dried oregano and basil (not “Italian Spice” mixtures) yield the best old-fashioned flavor. If you opt for fresh basil then go fresh all the way and get fresh oregano too.

The best flavor for fresh oregano (and many fresh herbs in general) is right after you harvest it, but you can also use oregano that has been dried. You can hang-dry whole stems of oregano in bundles in a cool and dry place, or place individual leaves in a dehydrator. Either way, avoid heat if at all possible.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Oregano's flavonoid and phenolic compounds may decrease inflammation in the body. Consuming it may help with certain inflammatory conditions, such as muscle or joint pain, skin irritation, or dry coughs.

Oregano. Oregano has a warm, pungent flavour with a lemon-like aroma. It works great with these herbs: Basil, parsley, sage, chives, coriander, mint and thyme.

You can add fresh or dried oregano to your chickens' feed. Then toss some fresh herbs into your coop and nesting boxes too. They are so beneficial for laying or setting hens. Or hang some fresh herbs and let them dry in the coop.

This is a nice and simple strip steak seasoned with a garlic and oregano wet rub. This recipe would go well with any grilled vegetables, whipped mashed potatoes, and perhaps some grill shrimp or lobsters for surf and turf option.

The dried stuff certainly has its place (pizza, yes, and also dry rubs, vinaigrettes, and sauces, too), but fresh oregano is even more powerful and versatile.

Try mixing whole oregano leaves into other greens for a nutrient-packed salad or sprinkling the leaves into chili, soups or stews. You can also use it to make fresh pesto or salad dressing, season meat dishes or kick up the flavor of homemade sauces.

Did you know you can make herbal tea with fresh herbs and boiling water? Enter this oregano tea. Fresh oregano transforms in 5 minutes into an earthy, fresh drink that's positively restorative. All you need is a few sprigs and boiling water!

Oregano is generally described as possessing a strongly aromatic, camphoraceous aroma and a slightly bitter, pungent flavor. This pungent flavor is composed of earthy/musty, green, hay and minty notes. The spice imparts a slightly astringent mouthfeel.

Is oregano sweet or bitter? ›

True oregano is slightly sweet with bitter and peppery notes, likely stemming from its roots (pun unapologetically intended) in the mint family.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add a single layer of fresh oregano stems. Place it in an oven set to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the oven door slightly open to give the herbs good air circulation. Bake the oregano stems for two to four hours, checking as you go.

Place the skillet over medium heat and pour just enough oil in it to coat the bottom. Set a paper-towel-lined plate close to the skillet to hold the fried herbs as they drain and dry. Once the oil is hot, use the tongs to carefully lower the herbs into the skillet. Allow them to fry for 5–15 seconds.

Oregano

Using oregano livens up your regular eggs. Sprinkling even a tiny bit of this sharp herb will take your egg dish's flavors up a notch. If you want to even out the taste of oregano with complementary spices, give Italian seasoning a try.

Cooking Instructions

Season the mixture with Salt (to taste) and Ground Black Pepper (to taste) , then stir to combine. Add the Fresh Oregano (1 tsp) and Tomatoes (2) . After the mixture gets to boil, put the lid on, turn the heat down, and let the it simmer for about 10 minutes.

Mild side effects include stomach upset. When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if oregano oil is safe to apply to the skin. It may cause irritation when applied in concentrations greater than 1%.

Turns out, dialing up the spices in your food can also help keep your BP in check. According to a September 2021 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who ate more herbs and spices—in particular, cinnamon, turmeric and oregano—recorded lower blood pressure readings 24 hours later.

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting

Oregano might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people.

Oregano is a perennial herb that belongs to the same plant family as mint, basil, thyme, rosemary and sage. It contains carvacrol, a powerful compound that may help boost weight loss.

Is oregano good for kidneys? ›

Oregano also works by protecting kidney cells against injury caused by calcium oxalate and other such crystals. Bacteria can affect any part of the body and can cause infectious diseases.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place in a large bowl. Add 2 teaspoons olive oil, basil, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to hot pasta, and toss well to combine.

It has an appealing aroma and smooth flavor, It is used with pizza, pasta, garlic bread, soups, curries, sauces, salads, vegetables and can also be experimented with parathas, samosas, and dals.

Simply blend fresh oregano with our suggested ingredients below. Then mix that scrumptious sauce with your favorite noodles and serve with a crusty piece of bread.

Oregano is generally described as possessing a strongly aromatic, camphoraceous aroma and a slightly bitter, pungent flavor. This pungent flavor is composed of earthy/musty, green, hay and minty notes. The spice imparts a slightly astringent mouthfeel.

Oregano. Herbs and Spices: Pairs really well with rosemary, thyme, basil, sage, nutmeg, cilantro, lemon zest, cumin, anise, coriander, cardamom, mint, and lemongrass. Foods: Pairs well with mustard, citrus fruits, carrot, green bean, and seafood.

The fresh leaves are peppery and assertive—sometimes even bitter or astringent. They enliven whatever they're scattered over, be it a savory melon salad, or a piece of fish—and a little goes a long way. But when cooked, its flavor mellows so that it's earthy but not aggressively woodsy.

Oregano's warm, aromatic taste really does pair well with just about every veggie and Italian chicken dish you may consider cooking.

Greek oregano tends to be the most savory and earthy, while Italian is milder and Turkish is more pungent. Used fresh or dry, Mediterranean oregano is the choice for dishes from this region, tomato sauces, pizzas, grilled meats, and other dishes with strong flavors.

Oregano blends well with basil, bay, chives, cilantro, garlic, marjoram, mint, parsley, savory and thyme. Rosemary goes well with bay, garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage, savory and thyme.

Does oregano have side effects? ›

Generally, potential side effects are minor and may include: Mild stomach upset. Allergic reactions, if you are allergic to plants from the mint family (such as basil, sage, mint, lavender, and marjoram) Skin irritation, if oregano oil is applied topically in concentrations greater than 1%

Oregano is an herb that's commonly used in cooking, but few people know its use goes beyond just a seasoning. You can also brew oregano tea for consumption. As it is, oregano has a peppery, slightly bitter taste.

You do not need to wash oregano before drying it. However, since they usually grow very close to the ground, they tend to get fairly dirty. So, it's best to give them a quick rinse to wash off any dirt.

Yes, you should put oregano in your pizza if you like how earthy spices taste. Oregano pizza topping is essential when making a classic Italian, authentic Napoli pizza. So, when using oregano on your pizza, it's best to add a little fresh or dried oregano.