Spices, basil, dried
Whole food · Spices and Herbs
Photo: Wikipedia
Dried basil is the concentrated, aromatic essence of fresh basil leaves, transformed into a crumbly, dark green herb with an intensely fragrant, slightly peppery, and subtly sweet flavor. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of dietary fiber, providing over 37 grams per 100 grams, which is exceptional for a seasoning. Its high protein content for an herb is also noteworthy, making it a surprisingly dense source of plant-based nutrients.
Calorie split: 29% protein · 60% carbs · 11% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love dried basil for its potent, warm, and slightly anise-like aroma that can instantly elevate a dish, from a simple tomato sauce to a roasted vegetable medley. Its long shelf life and convenience make it a pantry staple, offering the essential taste of fresh basil in a form that's ready to use year-round.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The intense concentration of dried basil can become bitter or overpowering if used excessively, especially in delicate dishes. To counteract this, start with a small amount (¼ to ½ teaspoon for a dish serving 4) and add it during cooking rather than at the very end. For those monitoring their intake of certain compounds, pairing it with a source of fat (like olive oil) or protein can aid in the absorption of its fat-soluble nutrients and balance its strong flavor.
Key benefits
- Exceptionally high in dietary fiber (37.7g per 100g)
- Rich in plant-based protein (22.98g per 100g)
- Contains antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols
- Very low in sugar (1.71g per 100g)
- Adds significant flavor with minimal calories (233 kcal per 100g)
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Dried basil is one of the few herbs where the dried form can have a more complex, slightly different flavor profile than the fresh, due to the concentration of essential oils and subtle chemical changes during dehydration.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 10.3 g |
| Energy | 233 kcal |
| Energy | 976 kj |
| Protein | 23.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.1 g |
| Ash | 14.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 47.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 37.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.7 g |
| Sucrose | 0.02 g |
| Glucose | 0.75 g |
| Fructose | 0.75 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.19 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 2240 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 89.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 711 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 274 mg |
| Potassium, K | 2630 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 76.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 7.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 2.1 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 9.8 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.80 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.2 mg |
| Niacin | 4.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.84 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 1.3 mg |
| Folate, total | 310 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 310 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 310 ug |
| Choline, total | 54.9 mg |
| Betaine | 16.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 37.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 378 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 113 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 24.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 744 iu |
| Lycopene | 393 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1150 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 10.7 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.77 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1715 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.0 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.17 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.50 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.20 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.30 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.30 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Phytosterols | 106 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.26 g |
| Threonine | 0.76 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.1 g |
| Leucine | 1.9 g |
| Lysine | 1.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.32 g |
| Cystine | 0.19 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.3 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.75 g |
| Valine | 1.4 g |
| Arginine | 1.2 g |
| Histidine | 0.45 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 3.0 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.6 g |
| Glycine | 1.3 g |
| Proline | 2.7 g |
| Serine | 0.53 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
How much dried basil equals fresh basil?
A general rule is 1 teaspoon of dried basil equals about 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped basil. However, this can vary based on the dish and desired intensity.
Should I add dried basil at the beginning or end of cooking?
For deeper, infused flavor, add it early in the cooking process (like in a simmering sauce). For a brighter, more pronounced basil note, add it in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
Why does my dried basil taste bitter?
Bitterness can occur from using too much, from old/spent basil that has lost its volatile oils, or from overcooking. Use a measured amount and store it in a cool, dark place to preserve flavor.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.33 kcal/g · 39% calories from protein · 37.7 g fiber · 1.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.03 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.