16 Complete Protein Pairings with Oregano

Summary:

  • Oregano is low in protein - about 0.1 grams per tsp.
  • In addition, oregano provides only 8 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on methionine.[1]
  • Oregano pairs well with brazil nut, pili nut, chia seeds, sesame seeds or wild rice to create a complete protein profile. [2] More oregano pairings and detailed analysis below.

A complete protein is a protein source that "contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids" that our body can not produce on its own.

World Health Organization [2], National Academy Press [3]

We analyzed the amino acid composition of oregano, and found both vegan and vegetarian pairings with oregano that creates a complete protein profile. Read on to discover new combinations of foods to enjoy!

Details on how we calculate complete protein profiles.

image of oregano source

Amount of Protein in Oregano

Relatively low in protein, a single teaspoon of oregano contains 0.1 grams of protein, or about 0% of recommended daily values. [1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with oregano alone, you will need 556 teaspoons of oregano (560 grams) for an average female, or 667 teaspoons of oregano for males. [4] That's over 1470 calories. Pairing oregano with a richer protein source is a good idea.

Full nutritional profile for oregano
USDA Source: Spices, oregano, dried

Macronutrients in 1 tsp (1g) of oregano:

% of RDV Amount
Calories
0.1% 3 kCal
Carbohydrates
0% -
Total fat
0.1% 0 grams
Protein
0.2% 0.1 grams

Essential Amino Acids in Oregano

Proportionally, oregano does contain abundant amounts of 8 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, oregano is a little short on methionine.[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with oregano alone, you will have to eat 677 teaspoons of oregano (677 grams) for an average person. [2]

That's about 21% more oregano to compensate for the lack of methionine, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 tsp (1g) of oregano:

Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [1] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
0.2% 0.09g
Histidine
0.2% 0.001g
Isoleucine
0.5% 0.004g
Leucine
0.4% 0.008g
Lysine
0.3% 0.005g
Methionine
0.1% 0.001g
Phenylalanine
0.3% 0.004g
Threonine
0.4% 0.003g
Tryptophan
0.8% 0.002g
Valine
0.5% 0.006g

More Complete Protein with Oregano

Top vegan pairings with oregano include:
  1. Brazil Nut
  2. Pili Nut
  3. Chia Seeds
  4. Sesame Seeds
  5. Wild Rice
  6. Hemp Seeds
  7. Poppy Seeds
  8. Hedge Mustard Seeds
  9. Nori
  10. Chestnut
  11. White Rice
  12. Cornmeal
Although dairy and eggs are generally considered complete proteins, some types of vegetarian food pair more efficiently with oregano. These include:
  1. Mayonnaise
  2. Sour Cream
  3. Caramel
  4. Egg

Vegan 1. Brazil Nut and Oregano


image of brazil nut
image of oregano

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, brazil nut is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.3 ml of brazil nut (0g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.02 to 1:0 for oregano to brazil nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for brazil nut
USDA Source: Nuts, brazilnuts, dried, unblanched

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.3 ml brazil nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [5] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
1.9% 0.9g
Histidine
2.4% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.2% 0.05g
Leucine
4.2% 0.08g
Lysine
3% 0.05g
Methionine
1.7% 0.01g
Phenylalanine
3.1% 0.05g
Threonine
3.7% 0.03g
Tryptophan
7.9% 0.02g
Valine
5.6% 0.06g

Vegan 2. Pili Nut and Oregano


image of pili nut
image of oregano

Pili nut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 1.5 mls of pili nut (1g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.08 to 1:0 for oregano to pili nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pili nut
USDA Source: Nuts, pilinuts, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 1.5 ml pili nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [6] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.6% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.6% 0.05g
Leucine
4.5% 0.08g
Lysine
3.1% 0.05g
Methionine
1.8% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.3% 0.05g
Threonine
3.9% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
5.9% 0.06g

Vegan 3. Chia Seeds and Oregano


image of chia seeds
image of oregano

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, chia seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.5 gram of chia seeds creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.05 to 1:5 for oregano to chia seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for chia seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, chia seeds, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.5 grams chia seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [7] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.7% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.6% 0.05g
Leucine
4.5% 0.09g
Lysine
3.2% 0.06g
Methionine
1.8% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
4% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.7% 0.02g
Valine
5.9% 0.06g

Vegan 4. Sesame Seeds and Oregano


image of sesame seeds
image of oregano

Sesame seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.2 teaspoon of sesame seeds (1g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.06 to 1:0 for oregano to sesame seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sesame seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sesame seeds, whole, roasted and toasted

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.2 tsp sesame seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [8] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.8% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.6% 0.05g
Leucine
4.5% 0.09g
Lysine
3.1% 0.05g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
4% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.7% 0.02g
Valine
5.9% 0.06g

Vegan 5. Wild Rice and Oregano


image of wild rice
image of oregano

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, wild rice is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.9 teaspoon of wild rice (3g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.31 to 1:0 for oregano to wild rice by weight.

Full nutritional profile for wild rice
USDA Source: Wild rice, cooked

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.9 tsp wild rice :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [9] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.8% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.7% 0.05g
Leucine
4.6% 0.09g
Lysine
3.2% 0.06g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
4% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
6.1% 0.07g

Vegan 6. Hemp Seeds and Oregano


image of hemp seeds
image of oregano

Hemp seed is a great source of protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.1 teaspoon of hemp seeds (0g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.04 to 1:0 for oregano to hemp seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hemp seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, hemp seed, hulled

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.1 tsp hemp seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [10] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.1% 1g
Histidine
2.9% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.7% 0.05g
Leucine
4.6% 0.09g
Lysine
3.2% 0.06g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
4.1% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
6.1% 0.07g

Vegan 7. Poppy Seeds and Oregano


image of poppy seeds
image of oregano

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, poppy seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.3 teaspoon of poppy seeds (1g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.08 to 1:8 for oregano to poppy seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for poppy seeds
USDA Source: Spices, poppy seed

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.3 tsp poppy seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [11] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.1% 1g
Histidine
2.9% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.9% 0.05g
Leucine
4.7% 0.09g
Lysine
3.4% 0.06g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
4.2% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
6.2% 0.07g

Vegan 8. Hedge Mustard Seeds and Oregano


image of hedge mustard seeds
image of oregano

Hedge mustard seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 1 teaspoon of hedge mustard seeds (1g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.15 to 1:15 for oregano to hedge mustard seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hedge mustard seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 1 tsp hedge mustard seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [12] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.2% 1.1g
Histidine
3% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.2% 0.05g
Leucine
5.1% 0.1g
Lysine
3.6% 0.06g
Methionine
2% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.6% 0.05g
Threonine
4.7% 0.04g
Tryptophan
9.3% 0.02g
Valine
6.4% 0.07g

Vegan 9. Nori and Oregano


image of nori
image of oregano

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, nori is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 1.3 sheets of nori (3g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.33 to 1:0.03 for oregano to nori by weight.

Full nutritional profile for nori
USDA Source: Seaweed, laver, raw

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 1.3 sheet nori :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [13] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.2% 1.1g
Histidine
3% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.1% 0.05g
Leucine
5% 0.09g
Lysine
3.4% 0.06g
Methionine
2% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.6% 0.05g
Threonine
4.4% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
6.6% 0.07g

Vegan 10. Chestnut and Oregano


image of chestnut
image of oregano

Chestnut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.8 tablespoon of chestnut (7g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.7:1 of chestnut to oregano will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chestnut
USDA Source: Nuts, chestnuts, european, roasted

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.8 tbsp chestnut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [14] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.2% 1.1g
Histidine
3.3% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.1% 0.05g
Leucine
4.8% 0.09g
Lysine
3.7% 0.06g
Methionine
2.1% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.6% 0.05g
Threonine
4.5% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.8% 0.02g
Valine
6.6% 0.07g

Vegan 11. White Rice and Oregano


image of white rice
image of oregano

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, white rice is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.8 tablespoon of white rice (10g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:1 to 1:0 for oregano to white rice by weight.

Full nutritional profile for white rice
USDA Source: Rice, white, medium-grain, enriched, cooked

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.8 tbsp white rice :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [15] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.3% 1.1g
Histidine
3.1% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.3% 0.05g
Leucine
5.1% 0.1g
Lysine
3.4% 0.06g
Methionine
2.1% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.8% 0.06g
Threonine
4.5% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.8% 0.02g
Valine
6.7% 0.07g

Vegan 12. Cornmeal and Oregano


image of cornmeal
image of oregano

Cornmeal is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.9 teaspoon of cornmeal (2g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.24 to 1:0 for oregano to cornmeal by weight.

Full nutritional profile for cornmeal
USDA Source: Cornmeal, yellow (Navajo)

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.9 tsp cornmeal :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [16] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.3% 1.1g
Histidine
3.3% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.1% 0.05g
Leucine
5.7% 0.11g
Lysine
3.3% 0.06g
Methionine
2.1% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.8% 0.06g
Threonine
4.4% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.3% 0.02g
Valine
6.5% 0.07g

Vegetarian 13. Mayonnaise and Oregano


image of mayonnaise
image of oregano

Low in protein, mayonnaise is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 0.6 tablespoon of mayonnaise (9g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.9:1 of mayonnaise to oregano will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for mayonnaise
USDA Source: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, regular

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 0.6 tbsp mayonnaise :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [17] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.6% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.8% 0.05g
Leucine
4.6% 0.09g
Lysine
3.3% 0.06g
Methionine
1.8% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.3% 0.05g
Threonine
4.1% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
6% 0.06g

Vegetarian 14. Sour Cream and Oregano


image of sour cream
image of oregano

Sour cream is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 1.1 teaspoons of sour cream (4g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.44 to 1:44 for oregano to sour cream by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sour cream
USDA Source: Cream, sour, cultured

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 1.1 tsp sour cream :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [18] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.9% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6% 0.05g
Leucine
4.9% 0.09g
Lysine
3.6% 0.06g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.5% 0.05g
Threonine
4.3% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.5% 0.02g
Valine
6.2% 0.07g

Vegetarian 15. Caramel and Oregano


image of caramel
image of oregano

Low in protein, caramel is high in methionine, which is complementary to oregano.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 1.4 teaspoons of caramel (10g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:1 to 1:0.01 for oregano to caramel by weight.

Full nutritional profile for caramel
USDA Source: Toppings, butterscotch or caramel

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 1.4 tsp caramel :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [19] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.9% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.1% 0.05g
Leucine
4.9% 0.09g
Lysine
3.6% 0.06g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.5% 0.05g
Threonine
4.3% 0.04g
Tryptophan
7.8% 0.02g
Valine
6.3% 0.07g

Vegetarian 16. Egg and Oregano


image of egg
image of oregano

Egg is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of oregano.

For example, 10 teaspoons of oregano (10g) and 1 gram of egg make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.1 to 1:10 for oregano to egg by weight.

Full nutritional profile for egg
USDA Source: Egg, whole, raw, fresh

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp oregano and 1 grams egg :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [20] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2% 1g
Histidine
2.8% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.9% 0.05g
Leucine
4.7% 0.09g
Lysine
3.4% 0.06g
Methionine
1.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
4.2% 0.04g
Tryptophan
8.4% 0.02g
Valine
6.2% 0.07g


Complete Protein Pairings

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