Pairing
Spices for tomatoes
The spices that pair best with tomatoes run herbal, bitter, and sweet: Basil, Fennel seed, Marjoram, Bay leaf, Celery seed, and Oregano are reliable starting points, each one named here because its own pairing notes call for tomatoes. The full set sits below.
No. 25Herb
Basil
Sweet, peppery, clove and anise
herbal·sweet
No. 22Herb
Bay leaf
Herbal, piney, faintly tea-like, subtle
herbal·bitter
No. 48Spice
Celery seed
Savory, grassy, bitter, concentrated celery
herbal·bitter
No. 18Spice
Fennel seed
Sweet, warm, gentle licorice
sweet·herbal
No. 76Spice
Guajillo chile
Tangy, fruity, berry-like, medium heat
citrusy·pungent
No. 54Blend
Herbes de Provence
Herbal, savory, floral, sun-dried
herbal
No. 26Herb
Marjoram
Sweet, mild, floral, gently warm
herbal·sweet
No. 11Herb
Oregano
Herbal, peppery, slightly bitter, aromatic
herbal·bitter
No. 27Herb
Parsley
Fresh, grassy, clean, lightly peppery
herbal
No. 23Herb
Thyme
Herbal, savory, minty, peppery
herbal
Common questions
- What spices go with tomatoes?
- Basil, Fennel seed, Marjoram, Bay leaf, Celery seed, and Oregano, among others.
- What flavors work with tomatoes?
- The notes that stand out most are herbal, bitter, and sweet, read from the flavor profiles of the spices listed here.
- What is the boldest spice for tomatoes?
- Celery seed is one of the strongest here: savory, grassy, bitter, concentrated celery. Add it early and taste as you go.
- What is a mild spice for tomatoes?
- Marjoram sits at the gentle end: sweet, mild, floral, gently warm. It seasons without taking over.