Forum

Hello

By what would you replace tarragon in a grilled fish with puy lentils and leeks salad recipe? I have fresh basil, mint, coriander, parsley, thyme? I might have other herbs but either frozen or dried.

What do you think? Tarragon has quite a particular taste it would be quite difficult to replace, but it is also difficult to find, especially fresh, it is not like buying carrots or potatoes, and as I am WFH today I cannot go running errands for too long.

I am thinking coriander. Or maybe a coriander parsley mix.

Thank!

Agnes

See http://www.spiceography.com/tarragon-substitute/ for suggestions.

I hadn't gotten this reply yet and in the end I tried coriander and parsley, but they were overpowered by my dressing, I did not taste them much.

I agree chervil would make the best substitute, but I didn't have that either - that would have been my first thought.

Might try with basil indeed next time, but the flavour is very different from tarragon! Or the fennel seed or anise seed suggestion.

I would think fennel fronds YES. And as I frequently buy fennels, I am even thinking of mincing and cutting the fronds, as a regular substitute for tarragon or chervil.

Reading these posts make me feel fortunate that I have potted tarragon (same plant) growing for the last 10 years or so.  Goes somewhat dormant only in the winter months but comes back as soon as Februry starts. 

We have so much tarragon in the herb garden I don't know what to do with it all - really pretty in flower arrangements@! And here in temeperate Bris Vegas (Oz) it seems to stay vibrant all year!

Envying you the year-round tarragon, deb.  Here it has a great moment in June, but the heat of summer makes its flavor harsh -- so the best way to preserve it at its peak is to incorporate it with softened butter and freeze.