Oregano

ρίγανη / rígani; origano

Flavor and role

A classic herb whose aroma becomes stronger when dried, slightly bitter and warm. There is Greek/Italian oregano and Mexican oregano (a different plant).

Typical dishes and uses

Pizza, tomato sauce, Greek salad, souvlaki, moussaka, chimichurri, pozole. In this book: moussaka, souvlaki, chimichurri and pozole.

Substitutes

1 tsp dried oregano = 1 tbsp fresh oregano = 1½ tsp marjoram or 1 tsp Italian herb mix.

Storage

Dried: 1-2 years airtight at room temperature. Fresh: wrapped in a kitchen towel, 1 week in the fridge.

Main countries

Greece · Italy · Mexico

Used in this book

MoussakaTacos with GuacamoleChimichurri SteakWhite Chicken ChiliPozole RojoSouvlakiAnticuchos de CorazónArroz con GandulesAsopao de PolloBirria Tacos with ConsoméCampfire Skillet NachosChilean CazuelaChicken ParmaChicken VesuvioChiles Rellenos (Cheese-Stuffed Poblanos)Chili con CarneChoripánCuban Sandwich (Cubano)Home-Style Döner KebabChicken Enchiladas RojasCuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)Gemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)Greek salad (horiatiki)Pork Gyros PitaJambalayaKotopoulo lemonato (Greek lemon chicken with potatoes)Pastel de ChocloPuerto Rican PastelónPeri-Peri ChickenPernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder)PicadilloPollo a la Brasa (Peruvian Roast Chicken)Porotos GranadosProvoletaSalvadoran Pupusas (Bean and Cheese)Ropa ViejaRed Chile Pork TamalesTinga de Pollo (Chipotle Shredded Chicken)Cuban Yuca con MojoYuca FritaPizza Aloo Paratha with Mozzarella and Tomato-Chilli Dip (Indian × Italian)Charcoal Anticuchos with Ají Amarillo CreamArancini Waffles with Marinara DipAl Pastor Chaufa with Charred Pineapple (Peruvian-Chinese × Mexican)Holiday Arroz con Gandules with Banana Leaf and Crispy PegaoAsopao Cheese-Stuffed PeppersShort Rib and Shank Quesabirria TacosBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggBirria Grilled Cheese with Consomé DipBolognese Cheese-Pull ToastieChile Colorado Beef BurritoCaldo de Res with Roasted Marrow Bones and Guajillo SalsaSeared Cabbage Boil with Andouille, Shrimp and Homemade Cajun SpiceChipotle-Lime Chorizo Cabbage Boil with Cotija (Mexican × Cajun)Skillet Bannock Pizza Margherita (Italian-style)Osso Buco Cazuela de VacunoCazuela Chicken Pot Pie with Puff-Pastry LidSheet-Pan Chicken Cacciatore Gnocchi with MozzarellaChicken Parma Sliders with Garlic ButterDry-Brined Chicken Vesuvio with Lemon-Butter Pan SauceVesuvio Smashed Potato Bowl with Garlic-Wine Chicken and Minty Pea SmashGuajillo-Ancho Chicken Chilaquiles with Crispy Fried EggTexas Bowl of RedReverse-Seared Thick Sirloin with Shallot ChimichurriChimichurri Steak and Whipped Feta BaguetteParrilla Choripán with Salsa CriollaChorizo Smash Tacos with ChimichurriHidalgo-Style Chicken Tinga Paste (Mexican Cornish Pasty)Overnight Mojo Roast Pork CubanoCubano Egg Rolls with Honey Mustard DipDöner Pizza (Turkish × Italian)Crispy Döner Cheese Toastie with Garlic-Dill Yogurt DipDoro Wat with Homemade Niter Kibbeh and Honey-Wine FinishEgg Bite Flatbread Wrap with Spinach, Feta and TomatoCrispy Tortilla Empanada Pockets with ChimichurriThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasChicken Enchilada Rice BowlChipotle Feijoada ChiliOvernight Black Beans with Bacon Sofrito (Frijoles Dormidos)Black Bean Makhani (Cuban × North Indian)Cuban Black Bean Smash ToastGemista with Pine Nuts, Currants and Feta (plus Courgette Boats)Whole-Feta Gemista Rice Tray BakeGenfo with Homemade Niter KibbehGitheri Chili con Carne (Kenyan × Tex-Mex)Marinated-feta horiatiki with tomato-water dressingWhipped feta horiatiki toastSeafood and Okra Gumbo with Shrimp-Shell StockStacked Gyros Loaf with Sumac Onions and Dill TzatzikiGyros al Pastor Tacos with Charred Pineapple and Lime TzatzikiSheet-Pan Gyros Nachos with Pita Chips and Whipped FetaGreen Chile Lamb and Potato Stew (Irish × New Mexican)Kik Alicha with Homemade Niter KibbehKimchi Jeon Pizza with Pepperoni and Hot HoneyHand-Chopped Tenderloin Kitfo with Homemade Niter KibbehCrispy-Skin Kotopoulo Lemonato with Lemon Butter Pan SauceLemon Chicken Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Whipped FetaCrispy Lasagna CupsLocro Patrio with Osso Buco and Smoked BaconMalawach Margherita PizzaCold-Fermented Manakish with Homemade Za'atar and LabnehMargherita Pull-Apart Pizza RollsMilanesa a la NapolitanaOven-Crisp Milanesa a Caballo Rice BowlChilli Con Carne Cheese Pie with Jalapeño (Mexican × New Zealand)Roasted Minestrone Salad BowlMofongo Relleno with Shrimp CriolloLamb Moussaka with Pecorino BéchamelMoussaka Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Crispy Moussaka BowlPizza-man Steamed Buns (Japanese × Italian)Pastel de Choclo with Knife-Cut Beef Pino and White-Wine ChickenPastelón with Alcaparrado Picadillo and Cheddar CustardPastelón Melt ToastPastitsio Melt Toast with Cinnamon Beef and Béchamel CrustFlame-Grilled Braai Peri-Peri ChickenPeri-Peri Chicken TacosPeri-Peri Popcorn Chicken24-Hour Mojo Pernil with Pan JusPernil Bánh Mì (Puerto Rican × Vietnamese)Pernil Garlic Fried Rice with a Fried Egg and Mojo DrizzlePicadillo a Caballo with MadurosCuban Picadillo Cottage Pie with Cheddar Mash (Cuban × British)Picadillo Smash TacosCharcoal-Smoked Spatchcock Pollo a la Brasa with Twice-Cooked FriesPozole Rojo Especial (Bone-In Broth and Chile de Árbol Salsa)Pozole Quesatacos with Red Consommé DipProvoleta Rellena with Roasted Pepper and JamónCrispy Provoleta Sticks with Chimichurri MayoPupusas Revueltas with Homemade ChicharrónSpanakopita Pupusas with Lemon-Dill CurtidoCheesy Pupusa Egg-in-a-HoleHandmade Corn Tortilla Mushroom Quesadillas with Charred SalsaRogan Josh Birria-Style TacosOven-Braised Ropa Vieja with MadurosChino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo MeinRopa Vieja Loaded TostonesPizza SamosasCrispy Cheddar Grit Bites with Cajun Shrimp and RémouladeAl Pastor Sosatie Tacos: Chipotle-Apricot Pork Skewers with Pineapple (South African x Mexican)Pork Neck Souvlaki with Homemade Yogurt FlatbreadSouvlaki Loaded FriesSpaghetti Assassina Pizza with Melted MozzarellaTacos al PastorItalian Octopus, Mozzarella and Basil TakoyakiAncho-Guajillo Braised Pork TamalesChorizo Tinga Poblana with Avocado CremaChicken Tinga Rigatoni with Cream and Parmesan (Italian × Mexican)Tonkatsu ParmigianaCharred Poblano White Chicken Chili with Seared ThighsWhite Chicken Chili Baked Taquitos with Lime CremaCrisp-Seared Yuca with Garlic Confit MojoCrispy Smashed Yuca with Mojo AioliDouble-Fried Yuca with ChicharrónYukgaejang Birria Tacos (Mexican × Korean)

Updated 2026-10-10