Difference Between Herbs de Provence and Italian Seasoning Explained Simply and Clearly

When you’re cooking, choosing the right spice blend can make all the difference. The main difference between Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning is that Herbs de Provence often includes floral notes like lavender, giving it a light, aromatic touch, while Italian seasoning focuses on savory, Mediterranean herbs like basil and oregano. Knowing this helps you pick the perfect blend to match the flavors you want in your dish.

At Raw Spice Bar, we create spice blends that bring fresh, authentic flavors from around the world straight to your kitchen. Both of these blends have unique profiles that work best with different kinds of meals—Herbs de Provence is great for roasted dishes with a gentle herbal aroma, while Italian seasoning is your go-to for bold, classic Mediterranean tastes.

What Is Herbes de Provence?

Herbes de Provence is a special mix of herbs from southern France. It brings a fresh and floral touch to many dishes, especially Mediterranean meals. Its unique blend and taste make it different from common herb mixes you might find in the grocery store.

Origin and History

Herbes de Provence comes from the Provence region in France. This area is known for sunny weather and fields filled with wild herbs. The blend was created to capture the flavors of these fresh herbs growing naturally in the countryside.

The name means "herbs from Provence." Traditionally, farmers and cooks in the region used these herbs to season their food. Over time, this herb mix became popular worldwide for its bright and earthy taste.

Traditional Ingredients

The blend usually includes rosemary, thyme, savory, oregano, and marjoram. One herb that makes it stand out is lavender, which adds a light, floral scent. Sometimes, it also has basil, fennel, or bay leaves.

Here’s a simple list of main ingredients:

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Savory

• Oregano

• Lavender

This combination gives a balanced herbal flavor with a hint of sweetness and floral notes.

Flavor Profile

Herbes de Provence has a strong aroma that is both floral and earthy. The lavender offers a unique floral taste you won’t find in many other seasoning blends. Rosemary and thyme add pine-like and sharp notes.

The overall taste is savory, with subtle hints of mint and lemon from some herbs. This makes it perfect for roasting vegetables, grilling meats, or adding to sauces.

You get a bright, fresh flavor that adds depth to your cooking without overpowering your dish.

What Is Italian Seasoning?

Italian seasoning is a popular blend that brings the taste of the Mediterranean straight to your kitchen. It’s made of herbs common in Italian cooking and offers a balanced, earthy flavor that works well in many dishes.

An Overview of Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is a mix of dried herbs used mainly in Italian-style cooking. It simplifies adding multiple herbs at once, so you don’t have to gather and measure each herb separately. It’s especially handy for sauces, soups, and roasted vegetables.

The blend is widely available but varies slightly by brand. It’s made to capture the essence of classic Italian dishes without using fresh herbs every time.

Core Ingredients

The main herbs in Italian seasoning usually include:

• Basil

• Oregano

• Rosemary

• Marjoram

Sometimes, thyme, sage, or parsley are added, but the first four are the most common and defining. These herbs combine to give a warm and herbal base, typical for Italian food. There’s no floral note like lavender, which you might find in other blends such as Herbs de Provence.

This mix is salt-free and versatile. You control how much to add, making it easy to adjust for different recipes and tastes.

Flavor Characteristics

Italian seasoning offers earthy, sweet, and slightly peppery flavors. It has deep herbal notes with a hint of mint from marjoram and a piney touch from rosemary. Unlike blends with floral or spicy notes, Italian seasoning stays more grounded and savory.

You’ll find it pairs well with tomato sauces, grilled meats, pasta, and even roasted vegetables. Its flavor is subtle enough to work in many recipes without overpowering other ingredients.

Italian seasoning is ideal when you want those classic Italian flavors but don’t have fresh herbs handy or want a quick seasoning fix.

Comparing Ingredients

Both Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning are blends made with dried herbs that add flavor to your meals. They share some common herbs but also include unique ingredients that give each blend its special taste.

Herbs Found in Both Blends

These two blends often share some basic Mediterranean herbs. The most common ones are thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano. These herbs give both blends a fresh, earthy taste.

You’ll find marjoram in many recipes, too. It adds a softer, slightly sweet flavor that balances out the sharper herbs.

These shared herbs work well in dishes like roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and tomato sauces.

Unique Herbs in Herbes de Provence

Herbs de Provence includes ingredients that bring a floral and aromatic touch to your food. The most famous of these is lavender. It adds a light, slightly sweet scent and flavor, making this blend unique.

You will also find fennel and savory in Herbes de Provence. Fennel lends a hint of licorice taste, and savory adds a peppery note.

The combination of these herbs gives Herbes de Provence a complex, fragrant character. This blend is perfect if you want to add a bit of French countryside flair to dishes like grilled chicken, lamb, or ratatouille. Check out this comparison for more details.

Distinctive Herbs in Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning skips the floral notes and focuses on earthy, robust herbs. It usually features parsley, which adds mild freshness without overpowering other flavors.

You’ll also often find sage here. It gives a slightly bitter, warm taste that pairs well with rich dishes.

Unlike Herbes de Provence, Italian seasoning does not include lavender or fennel. This blend is best for dishes like pasta sauces, pizza, and Italian-style roasted vegetables.

Regional Influences on Flavor

The flavors of Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning come from the unique climates and cooking styles of their home regions. Each blend reflects local plants and traditional dishes that shaped their taste profiles.

French Culinary Tradition

Herbs de Provence captures the essence of southern France. This blend often includes lavender, a floral note that sets it apart from many other herb mixes. You’ll also find herbs like thyme, rosemary, savory, and basil. These plants grow well in the sunny, dry Mediterranean climate of Provence.

French cooking here uses these herbs to add fragrant and slightly sweet flavors to stews, roasted meats, and vegetables. The lavender adds a mild floral touch that is not common in most herb blends but is a signature of the region.

Italian Culinary Heritage

Italian seasoning focuses on robust, earthy herbs common to Italy’s Mediterranean climate. The main ingredients include basil, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram. Unlike Herbs de Provence, it usually leaves out floral notes like lavender.

This blend is perfect for Italian dishes such as pasta sauces, pizzas, and grilled vegetables. The combination highlights bold, herbaceous flavors that complement tomato, garlic, and olive oil, staples of Italian cooking.

By using herbs grown in similar climates to Italy, this blend gives you a genuine taste experience.

Common Culinary Uses

Both Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning bring different flavors to your kitchen. One leans toward floral and Mediterranean tastes, while the other offers an earthy, bold profile. Knowing when to use each can help your dishes shine.

Uses for Herbes de Provence

Herbs de Provence is best for dishes that benefit from a lighter, floral touch. You can sprinkle it on roasted vegetables to add a fragrant aroma. It's also great with grilled meats, especially chicken and fish, because it enhances without overpowering.

This blend often includes lavender, which gives it a unique scent and pairs well with Mediterranean recipes. Try it in stews or on baked potatoes for subtle taste boosts.

Dishes Best Suited for Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is a versatile mix made of basil, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram. It fits perfectly in tomato-based dishes like pasta sauces and pizza. You can also use it in soups or sprinkled over bread before baking.

This blend adds a robust, herbaceous flavor that works well with meats like sausage or beef. It’s a go-to when you want bold, classic Mediterranean tastes without extra fuss.

Substitution Tips

Knowing when and how to swap Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning can help keep your dishes tasty and balanced. Some flavors work well as stand-ins, but others need careful tweaking to fit your recipe.

When You Can Substitute

You can swap these blends when you want to add herbs but don’t have the exact mix on hand. Italian seasoning usually has basil, oregano, and rosemary, while Herbs de Provence often includes lavender, thyme, and savory.

If your recipe calls for Italian seasoning but you only have Herbs de Provence, use it for roasted veggies or grilled chicken to add a slightly floral, earthy taste.

For Italian seasoning in tomato sauces or pasta, try Herbs de Provence but reduce any lavender-heavy parts to avoid too strong a floral note.

The key is matching the basic herbs like thyme or rosemary, which both blends share. Keep in mind the floral and savory differences before deciding to swap.

Adjusting Flavors During Substitution

If you substitute, adjust quantities to avoid overpowering your dish. Herbs de Provence has lavender, which can be strong, so use less if your recipe doesn’t call for floral notes.

Italian seasoning is greener and more herb-forward. If you use it instead of Herbs de Provence, add a pinch of dried lavender or savory if you'd like that classic French touch.

Try a small taste test after mixing. If the blend feels too earthy or floral, balance it with garlic powder or a bit of lemon zest.

Using these tips, you can confidently switch between the two blends and keep your meals full of great taste.

Summary of Key Differences

Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning are both popular blends, but they have distinct flavors and ingredients.

Herbs de Provence often includes floral notes like lavender. This gives it a unique, slightly sweet taste. It also contains herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and savory. These flavors are bright and aromatic.

Italian seasoning focuses on earthy, savory herbs like basil, oregano, and marjoram. It usually does not have any floral elements, making it more straightforward and less fragrant than Herbs de Provence.

Here’s a quick look at the main differences:

Trying both lets you discover what fits your favorite meals best. Using the right blend transforms your dishes with simple, vibrant flavors.

Selecting the Right Blend for Your Recipe

Choosing between Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning depends on the flavors you want in your dish.

If you want floral, aromatic notes, Herbs de Provence is a great pick. It usually contains thyme, rosemary, oregano, and sometimes lavender. This mix works well for roasted meats, vegetables, and dishes where you want a subtle, fragrant flavor.

Italian seasoning leans more on bright, herb-forward flavors like basil, oregano, and marjoram. It’s perfect for tomato-based sauces, pastas, and pizzas where you want a bold, familiar taste.

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Try using Herbs de Provence when you want a floral, earthy background. Pick Italian seasoning if you want bold, classic Italian flavors that shine through every bite.

Storage and Shelf Life

Store Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning correctly to keep them fresh. Both blends use dried herbs, so they last a long time but lose flavor if not stored well.

Keep your spice blends in airtight containers to protect them from air and moisture. Avoid storing them near the stove or in direct sunlight, as heat and light can speed up flavor loss. A cool, dark place like a pantry shelf works best.

Whole spices last longer than ground ones, but both blends usually contain mostly dried leaves and seeds. Ground herbs lose their aroma faster, so use them within 6 months for the best taste. Whole or coarsely crushed spices can stay fresh for up to a year.

Here’s a quick guide:

Label your containers with the date you opened the blend. This helps you keep track of freshness and use your blends before the flavor fades.

You can find more about storing spice blends properly on our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding what goes into each blend and how to use them can help you cook more flavorful meals. You’ll find details on the ingredients and common uses, plus tips for substitutions and creative ideas.

What ingredients make up the classic blend of Italian seasoning?

Italian seasoning usually includes dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. Some blends may also have sage or garlic powder for extra depth.

Can you list the components commonly found in Herbs de Provence?

Herbs de Provence often contains thyme, rosemary, savory, marjoram, and sometimes lavender. It gives dishes a fresh, floral note typical of southern France.

In what types of dishes is Herbs de Provence traditionally used?

You’ll find Herbs de Provence in roasted meats, vegetables, and stews. It works well for grilled chicken or lamb and is great sprinkled on roasted potatoes or ratatouille.

Are there any suitable substitutes for Italian seasoning?

If you don’t have Italian seasoning, mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme. You can also add rosemary or marjoram for a closer match.

How does poultry seasoning differ from Herbs de Provence?

Poultry seasoning focuses more on sage, thyme, and sometimes nutmeg, designed mainly for chicken and turkey. Herbs de Provence has more floral herbs like lavender and emphasizes rosemary and savory, creating a different aromatic profile.

What are some creative ways to use Italian seasoning in cooking?

Add Italian seasoning to salad dressings, soups, or pasta sauces for extra flavor. Mix it into breadcrumbs for coating chicken or sprinkle it over roasted vegetables to boost the Mediterranean vibe.

Explore blends like Herbs de Provence and Italian seasoning through Raw Spice Bar’s global spice subscription, which delivers quality spices to your door regularly.

For more about these blends and recipes, check out this Authentic Spice Blends for World-Inspired Dishes from Raw Spice Bar.