Avocado leaves

Avocado leaves (hojas de aguacate) are harvested from the native Mexican avocado Peresea drymifolia. The leaves are used both fresh as well as dried and impart a slightly anisey flavor. Avocado leaves are used in soups, stews, tamales and make a great addition to black beans.  They are also used for making a herbal tea.  (Read more about avocado leaves including misinformation about toxicity.)

Substitute For Avocado Leaves

What to use if you don't have avocado leaves.  There is no perfect substitute but can use one of these options:

• Rick Bayless has suggested a combination of bay leaves and cracked anise seed as a substitute for avocado leaves.
• OR - You can use just bay leaves but they bear no resemblance to the anise-flavored avocado leaves, but they will add some flavor to your dish.  Don't use bay leaves for recipes that use the leaves as a "bed" for roasting.

Avocado leaves can be purchase in some Mexican grocery stores.  There are a few sources for them online as well including Amazon.com.