How Incomplete Is Your Pizza Without Oregano?

A classic Margherita pizza looks irresistible with basil leaves on top. But what about oregano? In most cases, we think of these two herbs as counterparts.

So, how compatible is oregano with pizza? Do you have to put oregano on pizza?

Oregano is mostly an optional seasoning for pizzas. It offers not only a unique but mild sweetness to pizzas but also provides a pleasant aroma. Fresh oregano mixed with pizza sauce or other common seasonings will work as an enhancer. But there won’t be any overwhelming taste to the pizza, only an extra kick.

Read on to learn more about using oregano, its properties, and other herbs that work great as substitutes for making your pizza tasty.

Do You Put Oregano On Pizza?

With pizza comes countless possibilities with toppings. However, if you can add oregano on pizza totally depends on your preference. While some love a variety of flavors, others may find it overpowering.

In the case of oregano on pizza – yes, you can add it to pizza. In fact, oregano is one popular topping enhancing the flavor of pizza.

If you want the authentic Italian flavor in pizzas, go for fresh herbs, like oregano. It has that sweet aroma to enhance flavor. However, it can become a bit overwhelming whether you use fresh or dried. So, it all comes down to your taste preference again.

If you love the smell or taste of oregano, you can easily sprinkle some in your pizzas. But this should be a meager amount, only some on top. It means oregano works great in pizzas if used before you place the pizza for fresh or dried baking.

After adding all your toppings to the crust, garnish it with some oregano, and you are good to go. Sometimes, you can add only a pinch on top after the pizza is cooked.

What is the Best Way to Add Oregano to Pizza?

Oregano only works best on pizzas if used sparingly or in low amounts. There is no accurate measurement for it. Add only a pinch to spread it all over.

If your pizza is made in the Italian style, then you can use fresh oregano leaves as toppings. Otherwise, add some with the pizza sauce to make it flavorful.

For Americans or other pizzas with multiple toppings, oregano is usually sprinkled on top before baking.

If you don’t know what to use on pizza, you can try some of the most popular pizza toppings – pepperoni, chicken, olive, etc.

How does Oregano Offer Flavor to Pizzas?

If you want to taste something traditional, then oregano speaks it out. You will feel like the good old days of street pizzas made in Italy. It has a sweet but mild fragrance and taste, almost earthy. Hence it works excellent for use in your homemade pizza sauce.

You will have a better taste if used on top of the pizza. Some also said that oregano on cheese increases the taste of the pizza cheese. In addition, it also has a medicinal effect, like peppermint.

Fresh vs. Dried Oregano vs. Ground Oregano

Here are some oregano varieties for your foods and even pizzas. Check the differences to help you decide which one works for you.

Dried Oregano: The Best Oregano for Pizza

Generally, we use dried oregano on pizzas, in contrast to fresh basil. The dried form has the same old flavor with a woody aroma and sweet taste. But they have a milder flavor than fresh oregano in only ½ teaspoon.

Can You Use Basil Instead of Oregano?

Basil is more popularly applied on pizzas than oregano, especially fresh ones. You can easily use basil as a substitute for fresh or dried oregano. Some may even claim that basil tastes sweeter and better than oregano.

You can use both the dried and fresh ones for pizzas in small amounts before you bake your pizza.

Basil	Oregano
is more flavorful when used fresh.	Tastes better in the dried form.
Has a minty or peppery taste.	Slightly more bitter than basil but with a mild sweetness.
Larger leaves.	Smaller leaves.
Offers a sweet aroma.	Has healthier content than basil.

Pizza Recipe with Oregano

Make your usual pizza with any ingredient and use an oregano pizza topping. It works with any pizza, meaty or vegetarian.

Ingredients

To make pizza with oregano, you need the following ingredients.

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon fresh oregano
• 1 clove garlic
• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 packet yeast
• 1 1 pound ball fresh pizza dough, at room temperature
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
• ¼ teaspoon salt.

Recipe

The procedure is similar to making any pizza.

• Make your dough with the dry ingredients and warm water, and leave it to rest.
• Preheat the oven to 475°F. 
• Spread the pizza sauce and add the toppings to the crust.
• Sprinkle oregano and then top off with cheese.
• Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown.
• Your flavorful pizza is ready.

Remember to make a perfect pizza, you must handle the dough, toppings, sauce, and pizza oven temperature correctly.

Is Oregano Healthy as a Seasoning?

Not only does oregano work as a flavor booster, but it also offers some healthy content to your body.

• Help prevent heart problems
• Improves digestion
• Contains vitamin C and antioxidants to fight off infections
• Takes care of the skin
• Controls blood sugar and pressure levels.

11 Other Popular Pizza Seasoning

To try out something different, you have various other herbs that are easily available. 

Parsely

Although less common, parsley can also be a flavor enhancer for pizzas. It will offer a fresh feeling to your pizza. Primarily it is used in chopped form to spread on the crust of fish pizzas. 

We can also make a pesto with fresh parsley to be used with cheese. Some people have found that our classic Margherita pizza reaches the next level with a bit of pesto.

Thyme

It comes third after oregano and basil for a special herb effect. Although mostly used for garnishing rather than flavor, it tastes excellent in pizzas. Fresh thyme tastes different from dried, with a stronger flavor than oregano. So, you must use an even smaller amount of thyme on pizzas. 

Tarragon

Perhaps a little uncommon to many of us, but it still tastes great. Add it to your pizza sauce to make it boom. A little but still sweet enough to replace oregano for a great pizza. But do use it in small amounts, just a pinch. 

Marjoram

Mexicans ask for this herb. Using the same quantity in place of oregano, you won’t notice the difference. But the pizza will have a kick in taste. 

Dill

More common for different dressings, dill is also a substitute for oregano in pizzas. The bitter taste can offer a solid punch to the pizza without making you cringe with the taste. Dill sprinkles can even change the pizza more than oregano. 

Sage

Not the most favorite one, but when we don’t have oregano, use some sage. Sage has a bittersweet taste but with a feel of citrus. So, this can give a unique pizza flavor. Try using dried sage for a milder flavor than a fresh one. 

Rosemary

This is well known for its fresh aroma to soothe you. So, it can also have an impact on pizzas. Instead of oregano, use equal amounts of rosemary, either fresh or dried. It offers not only a distinct taste but also a great smell. The health benefits are a bonus!

Chili Flakes

Pizzas are almost incomplete without red chili flakes. The ingredient list has them on top for seasonings. It offers spiciness and heat on pizzas without needing any green pepper. 

Garlic Powder

Not your usual seasoning, but it works similarly to any herb for flavor. Sprinkle some on the crust and find the difference that is not common to your taste buds. It also works great for the sauce.  

Bay Leaves

Already, your kitchen has a lot of uses for bay leaves for various dishes. Its job is to offer a different fragrance. To add to the pizza sauce or the crust, you have either whole leaves, dried or ground forms available.  

Fenugreek Seeds

As seeds, these have a mild and nutty aroma when used on foods. Try some cooked or roasted fenugreek seeds to sprinkle in the same amount as oregano on your pizza. You can then find out how amazing it makes your pizza. 

How to Add Flavor to Pizzas?

You must make a great pizza sauce to make your pizza taste excellent. Consider the type of flavor it gives, and then choose your seasoning.

• Sprinkle some herbs but don’t overdo it.
• Try only one pizza seasoning at a time, only half a teaspoon.
• Better to leave out blends.

Remember, oregano can be optional but adding basil to your pizzas is crucial.

FAQ’s:

• Which is the best oregano for pizzas?

Oregano comes in different forms for use as seasoning. Usually, people opt for Greek oregano for a peppermint or spicy taste. It is an excellent choice for pizzas. Turkish oregano comes close. But for commercial ones, you have Dominos, which has a blend of other seasonings. 

• What foods go well with oregano?

Other than pizza, you can try any recipe with tomatoes, eggs, or meat with oregano. Even for cheesy dishes, like chicken parmesan, oregano is an excellent choice for seasoning. 

• Can oregano become harmful?

It only happens if we eat oregano in large doses or raw forms. It has some diuretic effects that cause digestive problems. So, we should only use little oregano in fresh forms.

Conclusion 

So, do you put oregano on pizza?

Yes, you can use oregano for pizzas; it is an excellent addition to the dish. But the choice of seasonings is always optional and depends on your preference. 

As a herb, oregano stands out with its unique properties to change your dishes’ tastes. You will undoubtedly have a different kick that your taste buds are not habituated to, like regular spices or salt. Oregano even blends in with other herbs and spices very well.

Add them before baking your pizza. But don’t overdo it; otherwise, it will ruin the pizza taste and become toxic for digestion.