A Levantine blend of dried wild thyme or a thyme-oregano mix with toasted sesame seeds, ground sumac and salt. Proportions vary considerably by region and family.
What it does in a recipe: A herbal, tangy, nutty finishing seasoning for bread, labneh, roasted vegetables and meat — it supplies acidity as well as herb flavour. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.
Also called: Zaatar, Zahtar
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Quick answer
Homemade blend
1 tbsp za'atar = 1 tbsp dried thyme or a thyme-oregano mix + 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds + 1 tsp ground sumac + a pinch of salt
All substitutes, best first
4 ways to replace za'atar
Homemade blend
Closest match
1 tbsp za'atar = 1 tbsp dried thyme or a thyme-oregano mix + 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds + 1 tsp ground sumac + a pinch of salt
This rebuilds the three working parts: the herb base, the toasted nuttiness of sesame and the fruity acidity of sumac.
MethodToast the sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden and cool them before mixing, or they will steam the herbs and clump.
Trade-offFresher and more fragrant than most jars, and you control the salt.
Allergen checkSesame is a top allergen and is declarable in the UK, EU and US. Anyone with a sesame allergy must avoid this blend entirely — read every label, and treat a diagnosed sesame allergy as a medical matter rather than something to work around in a recipe.
Dried thyme with sumac
Reliable
1 tbsp za'atar = 2 tsp dried thyme + 1 tsp ground sumac + a pinch of salt
This keeps the herbal and acidic halves of the blend and simply leaves out the sesame, which is the part most often needed for allergy reasons.
Trade-offMissing the toasted nuttiness and some of the body, so it reads sharper and lighter on flatbread.
Allergen checkThis version exists specifically to avoid sesame, so buy each component separately and check that neither has been packed on equipment shared with sesame. A severe sesame allergy is a medical matter and warrants confirming with the manufacturers directly.
Dried oregano with lemon zest
In a pinch
1 tbsp za'atar = 2 tsp dried oregano + 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest + a pinch of salt
Oregano covers the herbal base and lemon zest stands in for sumac's fruity acidity, which is the flavour most people notice second.
Trade-offBrighter and more Mediterranean, without sumac's dusty tartness or any sesame. Recognisably not za'atar.
Za'atar is also the name of the wild herb itself, so a recipe calling for za'atar may mean the plant rather than the blend. Context usually makes it clear: blends are sprinkled, the herb is cooked.
Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.