What can I use Instead of bergamot? Lemon balm is your best bergamot substitute as it lends similar citrus and minty flavors. After that, combining mint with lemon, lime, or orange zest replicates the bergamot herb flavor profile. Lastly, bergamot extract and Earl Grey leaves offer similar spicy and floral citrus flavors.
You may be more familiar with bergamot fruit or oil extract; however, the herb is equally valuable in the culinary world. Bergamot makes a delicious tea and adds unique citrus and minty freshness to salads, pizzas, vinaigrettes, and other dishes.
However, on the downside, bergamot is a rare find in supermarkets. On that note, here are the best substitutes for bergamot if you cannot find them at the store.
The Best Bergamot Substitutes
Lemon Balm
Like bergamot, lemon balm belongs to the mint family. In addition, the herb lends a fresh splash of citrus and minty notes, making it the perfect herb substitute for bergamot.
Lemon balm’s citrus flavors taste predominantly like lemon, whereas bergamot lends a mix of citrus hues.
However, the sweet, citrus, and minty combination of lemon balm tie a dish together nearly identical to bergamot.
Both herbs are used as remedies for colic, calming nerves, and easing anxiety. In addition, they both taste delicious in teas, cocktails, fruity drinks, and other beverages.
You can chop the green leaves into a fresh salad or add them to the salad dressing.
Mint And Lemon Zest
In a close second, mint leaves and lemon zest perfectly replicate the taste of bergamot herbs.
While mint and bergamot come from the same family, the primary flavors of bergamot include mint and citrus notes.
So, while mint leaves are a suitable substitute, the dish of lemon zest helps replicate the refreshing citrus tang of bergamot.
Ensure that you combine the mint and lemon zest before adding them to your dish to allow the flavors to blend into one coherent flavor instead of tasting like two different ingredients.
Mint And Orange Zest
Another great way to match bergamot’s sweet citrus flavors is to use orange zest. However, you’ll need to add mint leaves to account for the minty notes.
Orange and mint complement one another beautifully in salads, vinaigrette, and juices.
However, remember to combine the two ingredients instead of adding them separately for a closer bergamot match.
The mint and orange zest combination also provides similar health and antimicrobial benefits to bergamot.
Mint and Lime Zest
Mint leaves paired with lime zest are another excellent alternative to use instead of bergamot.
However, lime zest is more bitter than lemons and oranges. So, you’ll want to use less zest when combining them with mint leaves to replicate bergamot.
You can also try using lime juice instead of zest. However, you’ll want to use half the lime juice to prevent a bitter taste.
Bergamot Extract
Bergamot extract is derived from the orange-like citrus fruit, which the herb is named after. Although from different plants, bergamot oil extract can replicate similar flavors to the bergamot herb.
While bergamot extract lacks the minty notes of its herbal namesake, the oil is a suitable substitute for bergamot’s primary flavor profile.
Bergamot extract provides similar spicy and floral citrus flavors as the herb.
Bergamot extract is the perfect substitute for a vinaigrette. We recommend blending the extract with mint leaves to get a closer match to bergamot.
Earl Grey
Bergamot is the primary flavoring in Earl Grey tea. The tea is made using black tea leaves and dried bergamot fruit extract.
Earl Grey’s distinctive bergamot flavor makes it a quick and easy substitute for bergamot-flavored beverages. You can also use Earl Grey leaves as a bergamot substitute in meals.
You can also use Earl Grey essence if you do not have Earl Grey tea leaves. However, the extract won’t be as sweet or citrusy as the tea leaves.