Fresh to dried herb ratio

Herbs, spices and aromatics · Checked against 4 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Use 1 teaspoon of dried leaf herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh. That is a 3 to 1 ratio. For ground dried herbs, use half a teaspoon. Going the other way, 1 teaspoon dried equals 1 tablespoon fresh. Add dried herbs early so they soften, and fresh ones near the end.

How much do you need?

I need (fresh herbs)Unit

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

What to use

Dried leaf herbs
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- 1 tsp 5 ml dried leaf herbs
Best for
Soups, stews, sauces and braises that cook 20 minutes or more.
What changes
Earthier and less bright. Old dried herbs lose punch, so taste and add more.
Skip it when
Salads, finishing, garnish. Basil, parsley and chives lose most of their character dried.
Ground dried herbs
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- ½ tsp 2.5 ml ground dried herbs
Best for
Rubs and spice blends.
What changes
Strongest of the three, so it is easy to overdo.
Skip it when
Anything delicate.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Common exceptions

Herb	Fresh	Dried
Most herbs (general rule)	1 tablespoon, finely cut	1 teaspoon leaf, or half a teaspoon ground
Parsley	1 tablespoon	1 teaspoon flakes
Mint	1/4 cup chopped	1 tablespoon dried
Dill	1 head	1 teaspoon dill seed
Chives	1 tablespoon	Use green onion tops, same amount

Which swap for which job

Use	Pick	Why
Long-cooked soups and braises	Dried leaf	Time to soften and release flavor.
Salads, garnish, last-minute sauces	Fresh only	Dried herbs taste dusty raw.
Rubs	Ground dried	Distributes evenly.

Do not substitute here

Pesto, tabbouleh, chimichurri. Dried herbs. The fresh herb is the dish.

Questions

How do I convert dried to fresh?

Multiply the dried amount by 3. Two teaspoons of dried oregano is about 2 tablespoons of fresh.

Why is dried stronger?

Drying removes the water, so the same flavor is packed into less volume.

Does the ratio change for every herb?

The table above lists the ones the extension charts spell out. For the rest, start with the general rule and taste.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.