• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salads with Anastasi logo
  • SALAD RECIPES
  • SALAD COLLECTIONS
  • SALAD DRESSINGS
  • SALAD VEGGIES
  • ABOUT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Home » Spices & Condiments

Za'atar Substitute: A Middle East Spice Mix

Made by Anastasia Papapetros - Serves 35 Filed Under: Spices & Condiments

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

If you are looking for a Za'atar Substitute, this is a great recipe to try! Our blend mimics the flavours of the za’atar plant by combining thyme, oregano and marjoram. Add a note of the Middle East to your grilled meats, bread and veggies and take them from ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Za'atar substitue in a silver bowl with a spoon, sumac in a small white bowl on the right.

Our gorgeous substitute za'atar blend is a mix of dried herbs, spices, sumac and toasted sesame seeds; it is full of antioxidants which enhance brain function.

It is such a versatile blend and great to use as a marinade for meat, on bread, on roasted veggies or in salads as we have in our Cauliflower Tahini Salad or our incredible Sautéed Eggplant Salad.

Table of contents

  • What is Za'tar Made Of?
  • What Does Zaatar Taste Like?
  • You Will Need
  • How to Make It
  • How to Use Za'atar
  • Common Questions (FAQs) & Tips
  • Recipe Card

What is Za'atar?
Za’atar is an herb plant in the thyme-oregano-marjoram family and tastes like a cross between those herbs. This same herb is then dried and used as a spice blend along with toasted sesame seeds, sumac, cumin and sometimes coriander.
As the za’atar plant is only native to the middle east, you can only mimic its flavour by using a combination of dried thyme-oregano-marjoram as we have used in our blend.

What is Za'tar Made Of?

Like many spice blends, Za'atar comes with many variations; a basic blend includes thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. However, I also add some oregano and marjoram to mimic the za'atar herb plant more accurately and ground cumin and coriander for some depth and earthiness.

For a quick and easy za'atar substitute, just add some dried thyme, sesame seeds and lemon zest if you don't have any sumac on hand. Use two tablespoons of sesame seeds, one tablespoon of thyme and two teaspoons of sumac or the zest from one lemon.

To step it up a notch, add a teaspoon of dried cumin or coriander for some depth and earthiness.

What Does Zaatar Taste Like?

Za'atar is a wonderful combination of nutty, herbal and tangy flavour which comes from the spices that are used in it:

  • Sesame seeds - add a wonderful toasty, nutty flavour as well as some crunch to your blend
  • Dried thyme - has a strong and a savoury pungency to it. 
  • Dried oregano - adds a warm, peppery flavour.
  • Dried marjoram - is similar to oregano but not as pungent.
  • Sumac - is a wondeful deep red colour and has a deliciously fruity lemon-like tanginess to it, it can be substituted with lemon zest.
  • Cumin - has a slightly sweet, warm earthy flavour with a slight nutty element.
  • Coriander - has a mild floral, lemon-like taste. 

You Will Need

Labelled ingredients needed to make za'atar substitute.

How to Make It

I like to keep this za'atar recipe as it is, but if you prefer, you may wish to grind everything up in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.

OPTIONAL: To enhance the flavour of your cumin, coriander and sesame seeds, place them in a small frypan and warm them through until aromatic, then allow to cool in a bowl.

Place all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined.

Store in an air-tight container until ready to use.

Za'atar subsitute ingredients in a white bowl.
ADD INGREDIENTS TO A BOWL
Mixing za'atar subsitute ingredients in a white bowl.
MIX WELL TO COMBINE

How to Use Za'atar

Trust me; this za'atar substitute is going to be the go-to spice blend that you will love adding to anything and everything!

Its lemony zesty nutty flavour can be sprinkled, baked, rubbed, tossed and added to just about anything you care to imagine!

  • Sprinkle it on - eggs, avocado or tomato with a drizzle of oil for a snack.
  • Use it as a topping for dips- great on your houmous, baba ganoush, labneh, or mix it with some olive oil to dunk some bread for an easy starter.
  • Mix it with oil as a rub - for grilled meats, or chicken breasts or salmon.
  • Bake it - in flatbreads, bread rolls or foccacia.
  • Use it for roasting - either vegetables or lamb.
  • Toss it - in your salads like we have in Cauliflower Tahini Salad or in our Sautéed Eggplant Salad.
  • Add it to - your next pilau or ancent grain or rice dish.
  • Stir it through - your lentils, chick peas or beans.

Common Questions (FAQs) & Tips

How much does it make?

You will get 35 delicious teaspoons of our wonderfully aromatic za'atar substitute blend.

How to store it & how long will it keep?

Store your Za'atar blend in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool dark place in your pantry or spice drawer.
If stored as suggested, it should keep for approximately twelve weeks.

Dietary Information

The magic of homemade spice blends is that you miss out on all the artificial flavours, preservatives and fillers you find in store-bought blends, which in turn, makes them gluten-free and so much better for you.
Our recipe is suitable for all eating styles contains only 5kcal and 0 net carbs per serve!
(we use an ingredient database for our nutritional information; therefore, you should consider these only as an estimate).

Looking to revive your spices?

Place them into a dry pan over medium heat stir them for 1-2 minutes as this will draw the essential oils to the surface and become aromatic once again.
Just be careful you don’t overdo it and burn them.

Recipe Card

Za'atar substitue in a silver bowl with a spoon, sumac in a small white bowl on the right.

Za'atar Substitute

If you are looking for a Za'atar Substitute, this is a great recipe to try! We mimic the flavours of the za’atar plant to use on meat, bread and veggies.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
* Times are an estimate and will depend on your skill level
Course: Spice Blend
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: home made spice blend, za'atar
Difficulty: Easy
Diet: Suits all diets and eating styles
Servings: 35 teaspoons*
Calories: 5kcal
Author: Anastasia
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup sumac
  • 3 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons thyme
  • 1 tablespoons oregano
  • 1 tablespoon marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin, roasted
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander, roasted
Instructions
  • OPTIONAL: To enhance the flavour of your cumin, coriander and sesame seeds, place them in a small frypan and warm them through until aromatic. Allow to cool in a bowl.
  • Place everything in a small bowl and mix until well combined.
  • Transfer to a small glass jar and keep it in a dark part of your pantry.

Notes

*approximately ¾ of a cup, the nutritional information has been calculated per teaspoon. 
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @salads_with_anastasia or tag #salads_with_anastasia!
Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

More Spices & Condiments

  • Lebanese Muhammara Recipe
  • Moroccan Harissa (both roasted & raw)
  • Ras el Hanout Substitute
  • Tagine Seasoning: Create a Moroccan Delight

About Anastasia

Anastasia is a home cook introduced to cooking at a young age (8 years old) and hasn’t gotten out of the kitchen since! She had her own coffee shop and ran her own catering business for over a decade. Her love of salads developed as she was always the one responsible for making the salads for family get-togethers and friends functions.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

ANASTASIA FROM SALADS WITH ANASTASIA

Hi, I’m Anastasia,
Let me show you how to transform your salads from boring and limp to bright, fresh and exciting using in-season produce.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Looking for a recipe?

Greek Salad Collection

NARROW PICS OF VARIOUS GREEK SALADS WITH A TEXT OVERLAY

Cheesy Salad Collection

Various salads with cheese and a text overlay.

Green Salad Collection

VARIETY OF GREEN SALADS WITH TEXT OVERLAY

Asian Salads

ASIAN SALAD COLLECTION WITH TEXT OVERLAY

Footer

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Site Credits
  • Contact Me

Sign-up for new salad recipes!

Recipes & Tools

  • Salads
  • Dressings
  • Spices & Condiments
  • Salad Tools
  • What's in Season
  • Let's Shop!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2020 · Salads with Anastasia · All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsOKAY
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT