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10 Ways to Use Oregano

Use oregano for delicious meals and nourishing herbal remedies with these quick and easy ideas.

This perennial herb can be prolific in the home garden giving us plenty of ways to get creative with fresh oregano in season and saving it for later.

A clear glass cup and saucer full of herbal tea surrounded by fresh oregano flowers stacked on top of a text box reading food & herbal remedy uses for oregano stacked on a top of an image of an open jar of pesto surrounded by fresh herb leaves.

Dehydrate Extra

Using fresh oregano is wonderful when you have it. However, it’s easy to save for later when you have a bumper crop.

Simply be sure to dry oregano to have it on hand for later.

The dried oregano leaves will be delicious cooked into meals later or used to make herbal remedies when time allows. Use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano for every 1 Tablespoon of fresh oregano called for in recipes.

Oregano Uses in Cooking

Oregano is a tasty, savory herb perfect in tomato sauces, roasted with meat, and much more.

Pesto

Oregano makes a tasty pesto that is easy to freeze in batches for winter use. Simply grind it with some garlic, salt, and oil to make it your own.

Here are a few recipes to consider:

Lemon balm oregano pesto in a glass jar with fresh herbs.

Savory Breads

Use fresh or dried oregano for flavorful breads to go alongside many meals. The robust flavor can elevate simple bread to something truly fantastic and turn an ordinary soup meal into something almost fancy.

Truly just add some fresh or dried oregano to your favorite bread recipe or give these a try:

Compound Butter

Compound butter is simply butter that has been mixed with herbs that can be used to slather on toast, rub on meats, mixed in with vegetables, and more.

Simply cream together 1/4 Cup softened butter and 3-4 Tablespoons fresh snipped oregano.

Roll that softened butter into a log shape in parchment paper and harden in the fridge or freezer.

Alternatively, use silicone molds for individual serving sizes.

Infused Honey

Infused honey is part food, part herbal remedy – 100% delicious.

Steep oregano leaves in some honey for a flavorful addition to breads, sauces, and more. This makes a great gift for the foodies on your list, too!

It’s also a sweet way to get some of oregano’s antibacterial qualities into your body.

oregano infused honey on a table with oregano blossoms.

Oregano Medical Uses

Oregano has been studied for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. It’s been historically used to relieve headaches and more.

The following ideas give you ways to use oregano internally and externally to help with common ailments most households experience now and then.

Oxymel

An oxymel is a combination of herbs, honey, and vinegar.

It makes a delightful and healing drink. Oregano is antibacterial making it a great way to fight colds and flus.

Substitute oregano for the bee balm in this oxymel recipe and use up some of that abundant oregano in a simple, healing remedy.

Athlete’s Foot Remedy

Oregano is antifungal making it a potential ally for folks struggling with athlete’s foot.

Simply steep oregano in vinegar for a few weeks and then strain. Apply the strained infusion directly to affected areas for some natural relief.

Headache Relief Tea

Oregano has traditionally been used to relieve headaches.

Make oregano tea by steeping 1 Tablespoon of fresh leaves (1 teaspoon dried) in 8 ounces of water for 5 minutes. Sweeten with the oregano honey if desired and sip slowly.

A glass cup full of tea with oregano flowers inside the cup and surrounding the cup.

Natural Cleaning

Because oregano is antibacterial and antifungal it makes a great addition to homemade cleaning products.

Use oregano steeped vinegar to clean countertops and more. Make a scouring powder with oregano to clean tubs, showers, and toilets.

Make the most of the over-productive herb garden with these 10 ways to use oregano for food, medicine, and cleaning while also helping pollinators thrive.

Leave Some for the Bees

Let some of the oregano go to flower. The bees and other pollinators quite love it and it’s a great source of food late in the summer and early fall to help them get through the winter.

Watching and listening to the sound of the bees on the oregano flowers is honestly a relaxing and fun afternoon activity.

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Connie Peck

Tuesday 11th of February 2020

We ordered two bee hives today and I came across your blog looking for pollinators. I had no idea oregano had so many uses. I love oregano! I'll be planting several of them..Thanks for the info!

Helena

Wednesday 10th of July 2019

I see that I commented on this back when it was posted, but thanks for mentioning it in today's email--I needed the reminder, as after 3 years my oregano has taken over that corner of the garden! I was warned that it would, but it's always been fairly tame until now. Something about this year has made it go wild!

CC

Sunday 16th of September 2018

Thank you for posting info on how to make oregano tea! I am on the lookout for other oregano ideas. This list is great!

Shirley

Wednesday 3rd of August 2016

Any recipes for Oil of Oregano.

Joe

Friday 14th of July 2023

@Shirley, similar to the honey infusion for a basic oil infusion

Homespun Seasonal Living

Thursday 4th of August 2016

The most traditional and medicinal oil of oregano is made through a distillation process and I don't know how to do that.

Helena

Tuesday 26th of July 2016

Thank you for this! Very timely, as I have three thriving oregano plants in my herb garden. :)