What Is Thyme and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about thyme and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 2,303 recipes to cook tonight.

What is thyme?

Thyme is a good source of iron and is widely used in cooking.

Thyme is often used to flavour meats, soups and stews. It has a particular affinity to and is often used as a primary flavour with lamb, tomatoes and eggs.

Thyme, while flavourful, does not overpower and blends well with other herbs and spices.

fresh thyme close-up

Thyme is sold both fresh and dried. The fresh form is more flavourful but also less convenient; storage life is rarely more than a week. While summer-seasonal, fresh thyme is often available year-round.

Thyme

Fresh thyme is commonly sold in bunches of sprigs. A sprig is a single stem snipped from the plant. It is composed of a woody stem with paired leaf or flower clusters ("leaves") spaced ½ to 1" apart. A recipe may measure thyme by the bunch (or fraction thereof), or by the sprig, or by the tablespoon or teaspoon. If the recipe does not specify fresh or dried, assume that it means fresh.

Thyme

Depending on how it is used in a dish, the whole sprig may be used , or the leaves removed and the stems discarded. Usually when a recipe specifies 'bunch' or 'sprig' it means the whole form; when it specifies spoons it means the leaves. It is perfectly acceptable to substitute dried for whole thyme.

Fresh thyme

Leaves may be removed from stems either by scraping with the back of a knife, or by pulling through the fingers or tines of a fork. Leaves are often chopped.

Thyme retains its flavour on drying better than many other herbs. As usual with dried herbs less of it is required when substituted in a recipe.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 tsp (0g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 0Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 0.0g 0%

Saturated Fat 0.0g 0%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 0mg 0%

Total Carbohydrate 0.0g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars ~

Protein 0.0g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 0% • Iron 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find thyme: Thyme is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Thyme is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese: 麝香草
British (UK) term: Thyme
en français: thym
en español: tomillo

How much does thyme weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 teaspoon	0 grams
½ teaspoon	0 grams

Spices and Herbs

Allspice 904 Allspice berries 37 Star anise 178 Aniseed 23 Bay leaves 2049 Caraway seeds 321 Cardamom pods 100 Cardamom seeds 317 Celery seeds 283 Chervil 65

Recipes using thyme

There are 2303 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Chilled Green Pea Soup

Chilled green pea soup blends sweet frozen peas with thyme, onion, and minute tapioca for a velvety low-fat, low-calorie soup that works hot or cold. The tapioca thickens without flour or cream. Five minutes of standing time, twenty minutes total cook.

Air-fryer Crispy Thyme Roasted Potatoes

Have some thyme to roast potatoes but are short on time. Using your air-fryer, you can roast potatoes in a flash. Crispy classic Thyme Roasted Potatoes with a modern twist.

Chicken Nuggets (Air-fryer or oven baked)

These air-fryer (or oven based) chicken nuggets are popular combination of savory and crispy, with the rich taste of chicken complemented by the crunch of a cracker crumb coating complete with 4 varieties of dipping sauces.

Grilled Burgers

Grilled burgers with sour cream, dried thyme, and parsley mixed right into the patty for extra moisture and herby savor. The juicy weeknight cookout staple in 20 minutes.

Chilled Tomato Carrot Soup

This chilled tomato carrot soup blends fresh tomatoes and sweet carrots with basil, thyme, and a whisper of nutmeg into a silky cold soup for hot summer days. Simmered, pureed, then served ice-cold with a splash of milk for creamy body.

Best Creamy Broccoli Soup

Velvety broccoli soup made from scratch with fresh broccoli florets and stems, potatoes for body, and evaporated milk for richness without heavy cream.

Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings

Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with French dressing, herbs, and hot sauce. Served with blue cheese dressing and crunchy veggies.

Turkey-Cheddar Burgers

Juicy turkey cheddar burgers seasoned with sage, thyme, lemon zest, and sauteed garlic onions, with melted cheese stuffed right inside the patty. Grill or broil in 40 minutes for a lighter burger that still oozes with flavor.

Gruyère Whole Wheat Biscuits with Herbs

Gruyere whole wheat biscuits, flaky buttermilk biscuits laced with nutty Gruyere, fresh thyme, and marjoram. Cold butter and whole wheat pastry flour give them tender, savory layers with a wholesome edge.

Potato Thyme

Crispy air fryer thyme potatoes or oven-roasted version with golden edges and creamy centers. Easy 4-ingredient side dish using new potatoes, olive oil, and fresh thyme. Quick weeknight or holiday side ready in under 30 minutes in the air fryer.

Falafel, Vegetarian Style

Vegetarian falafel with a clever bake-then-fry hybrid technique: oven-baked first to set, pan-crisped in olive oil to finish. Tucked into pita with cucumber, tomato, and yogurt sauce.

Aunt Ann's Creamy Potato Soup

Aunt Ann's creamy potato soup: waxy potatoes simmered with leek, onion, and celery in herb-scented broth, then finished with cream. Part of the soup gets mashed for a thick, rustic body. Pure comfort.

Hamburger with Variations

Cheese-stuffed hamburger patties with four global variations: French with brie, Mexican with Monterey Jack, Italian with mozzarella, and Greek with feta. Grilled over charcoal.

Grilled Jerk Pork Chops

A seasoning mix that originated in Jamaica, jerk is popular throughout the Caribbean in the preparation of meats such as pork and chicken for grilling. Jerk seasoning typically includes chilies, onion, allspice, and thyme.

Creamed Tomato Soup

Creamy tomato soup made from scratch with ten ripe tomatoes, onion, thyme, and basil, blended silky and finished with cream, milk, and a swirl of butter. A rich, homemade bowl made for grilled cheese.

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Garlic Oil Flatbread

The pizza dough is brushed with garlic perfumed olive oil, topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, sweet bell pepper and pineapples. It's easy and packed with yumminess. Use a whole wheat pizza dough to make it even healthier.

Holiday Gravy

Smooth Rich Flavor In This Wonderful Tasting Gravy!! ..Thicken With A Potato Blended In!! ..A Few Fresh Herbs And Mushroom!!

Carrot-Leek Soup with Thyme

This creamy, smooth, flavorful carrot and leek soup is perfect when carrots are at their peak. The soup is easy to make and perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Garnished with fresh thyme leaves for an extra touch of flavor and sophistication.

Carrot-Leek Soup with Thyme

Pate a la Rapure

Pate a la rapure (rappie pie) is a traditional Acadian chicken and potato casserole from Nova Scotia. Grated potatoes are squeezed dry, soaked in rich chicken broth, and baked until golden and crisp on top.

Peter's Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Cream of pumpkin soup with fresh or canned pumpkin pureed with onions, celery, garlic, and thyme, finished with cottage cheese for silky body. Lighter take on a Thanksgiving classic.

Super Salmon Burgers

Super salmon burgers bind canned pink salmon with egg, breadcrumbs, cheddar, and thyme into pan-seared patties, served in pita pockets with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce. A 35-minute pantry burger.

Chili Super Bowl

Big-batch Super Bowl chili with ground beef, pinto beans, and tomato juice base, simmered low for hours with a deep spice blend of cumin, cayenne, and paprika. Feeds a crowd.

Thyme-Roasted Chicken Breast with Morel-Madeira

A succulent chicken dish is going to win everyone at the dinner table.

Jimmy's Butternut Squash Chowder

Vegan butternut squash chowder made creamy without a drop of dairy. Blended squash, sweet potato, and carrot form a velvety base, brightened with garlic, rosemary, and thyme and topped with toasted almonds.

Herb-Roasted Turkey with Citrus Glaze

Herb-roasted Thanksgiving turkey with fresh sage, marjoram, and thyme tucked right under the skin and a lemon-lime glaze brushed on at the end for a glossy, citrus-bright finish. The holiday centerpiece, done simply.

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Herb-roasted turkey breast rubbed with rosemary, sage, thyme, and marjoram under the skin, with onion and garlic tucked into the neck cavity. A simple low-fat holiday main with crisp golden skin.

Hashed Brown Omelet

Hash brown omelet with crispy shredded potato crust, bacon, peppers, and melted Swiss. The diner-style skillet breakfast that feeds the whole table from one pan.

Herbed Fresh Tomato Soup

Herbed fresh tomato soup blends six peeled tomatoes with basil, thyme, and a hit of hot pepper sauce, then purees smooth for a low-fat, freezer-friendly weeknight bowl. Light, herby, and budget kind.

Herbed Tomato Soup

Herbed tomato soup microwaves a tomato sauce base with sauteed onion, basil, and thyme into a 15-minute single-serve soup. Low fat, low calorie, served with Parmesan croutons.

Parmesan Chicken Nuggets (Air-fryer or oven)

These air-fryer (or oven baked) chicken nuggets are a delightful and tasty twist on traditional chicken nuggets. These bite-sized wonders are coated with a crispy, flavorful layer of Parmesan cheese and other seasonings, giving them an umami boost and delicious taste that sets them asunder from their traditional counterparts.

Cabbage & Kielbasa Soup

This hearty soup recipe combines the flavors of onions, celery, potatoes, kielbasa sausage, cabbage, green peas, thyme, and marjoram in a comforting stew. The ingredients are sautéed, simmered, and seasoned to perfection, creating a satisfying meal that's perfect for any day of the week.