Rosemary and thyme are among some of the more popular and widely used herbs. You can easily find them fresh or dried in your favorite grocery stores, and both are versatile herbs that can be used in many types of dishes. What are the main differences between rosemary and thyme?
Between rosemary vs. thyme, the main differences are their appearance and flavor. Rosemary has more needle-like leaves while thyme’s are more rounded, and rosemary’s flavor is more bitter compared to thyme’s sweeter flavor.
Rosemary and thyme also share some similarities, and it turns out they go great with each other! Let’s review all the ins and outs of rosemary vs. thyme next!
What is rosemary?
Rosemary is an herb with the botanical name Salvia rosmarinus, which is in the mint family. It has needle-like leaves, which is one of its distinguishing characteristics. Rosemary has a woodsy, piney flavor with notes of citrus and mint and pairs well with oily fish and other types of meat.
You’ll likely find rosemary in Mediterranean dishes and soups, stews, salads, and casseroles. According to one of the most popular spice brands McCormick, rosemary pairs especially well with other herbs like thyme (which we’ll review next), marjoram, and oregano.
If you don’t have rosemary on hand, some potential substitutes include thyme, sage, oregano, and marjoram. Another option is to use Italian seasoning which usually includes rosemary.
You can find rosemary fresh, as dried leaves (the most common form of dried rosemary), or ground into a powder.
What is thyme?
Another herb from the mint family, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has thin, woody stems and small green leaves. The leaves are less needle-like than rosemary and more rounded.
Thyme has a sweet but savory flavor with notes of pepper, similar to the mouthfeel of cloves. Thyme is green with notes of pink in the stems.
Like rosemary, thyme is a versatile herb that can be included in a variety of dishes from soups to a seasoning for meat and beyond. Thyme pairs well with rosemary, parsley, oregano, mint, and basil.
Thyme is used in French cooking as well as Mediterranean dishes, and is also an ingredient in Italian seasoning. You can buy fresh thyme, dried thyme leaves, or ground thyme in a powder-like texture.
What are the differences between rosemary vs. thyme?
We’ll summarize some of the main differences (and some similarities) between rosemary and thyme in this handy table below!
| Appearance | Flavor | Form | Aroma | Common uses | |
| Rosemary | Needle-like green leaves on thin stems | Woodsy/piney with notes of citrus and mint; more savory and bitter compared to thyme | Fresh, dried leaves, dried and ground powder | Pungent, astringent (slightly bitter) | Mediterranean dishes, soups, stews, salads; pairs well with oily fish and other meat |
| Thyme | Softer, rounded leaves on stems (whole herb is green with notes of pink) | Sweet and savory, notes of pepper with a clove-like mouthfeel; sweeter compared to rosemary | Fresh, dried leaves, dried and ground powder | Spicy, leather-like | Versatile; can be used in soups, casseroles, meat seasonings and more |
Beyond the kitchen – uses for rosemary vs. thyme
While herbs and spices are most commonly used in cooking and baking, some can be used in alternative medicine and homeopathic remedies as well. We’ll review a few common uses of rosemary vs. thyme outside of the culinary realm.
Rosemary
- Some studies on rosemary suggest it can be a natural remedy for headaches, stomach aches, depression, anxiety, and other physical and mental ailments.
- Rosemary may help certain hair and scalp conditions like dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis).
Thyme
- Might help ease coughs, as well as fight viral and bacterial infections (study).
- Can naturally repel insects.
FAQs:
Rosemary and thyme complement each other and are commonly used together in dishes. You can also find rosemary and thyme in herb and spice blends such as Herbs de Provence.
You can substitute rosemary for thyme, but you’ll get a more savory and bitter flavor compared to thyme, which is a bit more sweet and less pungent than rosemary.
You can use rosemary or thyme for steak as both complement the flavors well. Rosemary will give you a more bitter, pine-like flavor while thyme has a sweeter flavor with a mouthfeel similar to cloves.
Leave a Comment