Oregano: culinary uses, benefits and the best food pairings

Oregano (Origanum vulgare), also known as wild marjoram, is much more than a popular culinary herb. It has a rich history dating back thousands of years and remains an essential ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. Oregano is a signature seasoning in Italian and Greek cooking, adding its distinctive aroma and flavor to pizza, Greek salad, lasagna, tomato-based dishes, cheeses, meat, and many other recipes.

Interesting facts about oregano

Oregano contains exceptionally high levels of antioxidants. According to research published by the McCormick Science Institute, oregano has approximately 12 times more antioxidants than oranges and other citrus fruits and 42 times more than apples.

The herb is naturally rich in essential oils containing carvacrol and thymol—plant compounds known for their ability to inhibit the growth of many harmful bacteria and fungi.

In Ancient Greece, oregano symbolized happiness and joy. The famous physician Hippocrates used it to support digestive health and treat various types of cough.

Among the Slavic peoples, oregano was once considered a valuable substitute for expensive frankincense. Dried oregano was traditionally burned in Christian churches during religious services.

Unlike many culinary herbs, oregano becomes even more aromatic after drying. Its flavor intensifies, making dried oregano the preferred choice for many classic Mediterranean recipes.

Types of oregano

Although commonly referred to simply as «oregano», several different herbs are sold under this name.

• Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) – known for its bold, peppery flavor with a pleasantly spicy finish and a subtle hint of bitterness. It is considered the classic oregano used in authentic Greek cuisine;
• Italian oregano (Origanum × majoricum) – offers a milder flavor that combines herbal notes of oregano with hints of thyme and mint, making it ideal for Italian dishes;
• Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) – despite its name, Mexican oregano belongs to the verbena family rather than the oregano genus. It has a powerful aroma with citrus notes and a mild chili-like spiciness, making it popular in Mexican and Latin American cooking;
• Common oregano (Origanum vulgare) – features a delicate floral-herbal aroma and a mild, balanced flavor with a pleasant lingering finish;

How to use oregano in cooking

Oregano is one of the best herbs for enhancing the flavor of legumes, especially lentils and chickpeas. It is widely used in soups, stews, casseroles, roasted vegetables, spreads, pâtés, and savory dips.

Greek cooks traditionally prefer dried oregano over fresh. Before adding it to salads or cooked dishes, they gently crush the dried leaves between their fingers to release the essential oils and maximize the herb’s aroma.

In Italian cuisine, oregano is an indispensable ingredient in tomato sauce, pizza sauce, pasta sauce, marinades, and slow-cooked tomato dishes. It is also frequently used when drying or preserving tomatoes.

Both fresh and dried oregano pair wonderfully with cheese spreads, cream cheese dips, roasted eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos, and other members of the nightshade family.

Oregano pairs perfectly with pizza and pasta, tomato sauces, greek salad, lasagna, grilled meat, chicken, lamb, beef, roasted vegetables, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, chickpeas, lentils, white beans, cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon, basil, thyme and rosemary. Its warm, earthy, and slightly peppery flavor makes oregano one of the most versatile herbs in Mediterranean cooking.

CraftOil dried oregano – natural seasoning for healthy cooking

CraftOil offers a carefully selected range of premium natural products, including cold-pressed vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, 100% natural defatted flours, herbs, spices, and seasonings.

Our dried oregano is harvested in environmentally clean regions, meets strict quality standards, and is carefully stored under optimal conditions to preserve its natural aroma and essential oils. Every order is packed in convenient sealed containers on the day it is processed to ensure maximum freshness before shipping throughout Ukraine and internationally.

In addition to oregano, the CraftOil collection includes dried dill, parsley, savory, thyme, turmeric, basil, and handcrafted spice blends such as Caucasian Shashlik, Turkish Kebab and Aromatic Chicken with Ginger & Curry.

Browse our catalog to discover premium herbs, spices, and natural ingredients that bring authentic flavor to your favorite recipes.