• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

our recipes + your inbox = the eatmail

Join now

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • About
  • Contact

Live Eat Learn

Easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time

free ebook

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • Recipe Index
  • Vegetarian 101
  • Travel
  • Meal Plans
  • Course
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Appetizers
    • Sweets
    • Drinks
  • Diet
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Raw
    • Vegan
  • Season
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Ingredient
    • Avocado
    • Bean
    • Cauliflower
    • Chickpeas
    • Eggplant
    • Mushroom
    • Tofu
    • Quinoa
    • View All
  • Collections
    • All Time Favorites
    • Air Frying
    • Budget Friendly
    • Comfort Food
    • High Protein
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless Monday
    • View All
  • Visit our kombucha site
    Visit our dog food blog
Home Vegetarian Cooking 101 Ingredient Guides

Oregano 101

Share
Share on:
By: Sarah BondUpdated: Apr 01, 2022 Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

Get to know one of the most popular herbs: oregano! Learn what it is, where it comes from, its benefits, and how to use it successfully in your favorite recipes.

An up close view detailing the colors and textures of oregano

Pizza lovers can agree on this one: oregano makes the best topping. But why is that? Today, we’re covering everything you need to know about the herb, starting with what it is!

What Is Oregano?

The oregano herb is part of the mint family, but don’t let that trick you: it doesn’t taste like mint. Instead, oregano is home to a very strong and punchy peppery, earthy flavor with a scent that’s just as strong.

The fresh variety holds a stronger flavor than dried. Some, however, find the taste of the fresh version of the herb to be different, and in some cases bitter. You may love it, or you may find that the dried form of the herb is more your style.

What is oregano good for?

Oregano can be used to add flavor to so many types of dishes. Vegetables, meats, plant-based meats, potatoes, soups, dressings, sauces, and pastas alike can all benefit from a little bit of the herb. Considering the herb is used in cuisnes all over the world (including Italian, Mexican, Greek, and more), it’s safe to say that its a widely versatile flavoring.

An herb sprig on a white background

Benefits of oregano

Herbs tend to be packed with medicinal properties, and oregano followed suit. The herb is known for its many nutrients including iron, fiber, and manganese. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties and is known to benefit cholesterol and even help with kidney stones.

Can I drink oregano tea everyday?

One great way to enjoy the benefits of the herb is to drink oregano tea! The tea is going to provide a more concentrated amount, meaning you’ll be able to bask in more benefits than if you simply enjoyed it as a garnish.

However, because the herb aids in digestion, high amounts may lead to stomach cramps or digestional side effects. If this is of concern, rest assured that you will need to drink a lot of tea to experience these symptoms.

Oregano tea is perfectly safe to enjoy every day, but consider limiting it to only 1-2 cups for good measure.

How to clean Oregano

Oregano is best cleaned by placing it in a bowl filled with cold water. Swish the herbs around a bit to remove some of the dirt. Then, gently run them under cold water using a light stream.

Lay the herbs out on a paper towel. You can let them air dry or lightly tap them with another towel to remove some of the excess water.

A few sprigs of oregano wrapped in a damp paper towel

How to Store It

To keep oregano nice and fresh, store it wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed inside of a plastic baggie. You’ll find that this herb tends to last a bit longer than others, usually around a week or so.

If you find the herb to be wilted or that it has an off color or smell, it has gone bad.

Oregano wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in a sandwich baggie

Try Oregano in these recipes

Now that you’ve learned all about your favorite herb, it’s time to put it to use!

  • Quick Pickled Jalapenos: Enjoy the potent flavors of jalapenos with this delicious pickling recipe.
  • Zucchini Lasagna: Pasta is always a good idea, and especially so when it’s lasagna!
  • Portobello Mushroom Gyros: Enjoy these gyros amde with tzatziki, pita bread, and of course, oregano.
  • Vegetable Bolognese: Veggie bolognese? Yes, please! (The rhyme was intentional.)

You may also like...

  • vegetarian fall recipes collage
    17 Vegetarian Fall Recipes
  • collage of vegetarian winter recipes
    17 Vegetarian Winter Recipes
  • Grapefruit
    Grapefruit 101
  • Lime
    Limes 101
Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Rate this Recipe:




Primary Sidebar

Hello

I'm Sarah

A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

Let's Meet

Freebie alert!

3 reader-favorite cookbooks delivered straight to your inbox.

Get in now!

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Plate full of crispy chickpeas with a wooden spoon.

15 Minute Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Personal size mozzarella pizza cooked in an air fryer

Air Fryer Pizza

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Brussels sprouts on a plate with wooden serving spoons.

The Best 15 Minute Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Kale chips on a white plate.

10 Minute Air Fryer Kale Chips

Dinner This Week

Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl

M

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

T

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

Vegan Thai red curry in a bowl on a red background

W

Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry

Vegan nachos on a black plate on a white background - These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ "pulled pork" and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

R

BBQ Mushroom Pulled Pork

Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos

F

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Lemon risotto in a bowl with basil on a yellow background

S

Lemon Basil Risotto

As featured on:

3 bonus books!

Join our Eatmail newsletter to get free copies of our top 3 cookbooks, new recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more!

Follow Along

  • Easy Vegetarian Facebook Group
  • Kombucha Brewers Facebook Group
Back to Top
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Collaborate
© 2023 Live Eat Learn
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital