Curry leaves are a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine and add a unique flavor and aroma to dishes. If you can't find fresh curry leaves at your local grocery store or market, I recommend using dried. But there are some substitutes you can use: Bay leaves: These have a similar earthy and slightly bitter flavor to curry leaves. Use 1 or 2 bay leaves in place of 5-6 curry leaves. Thai Basil leaves: While basil leaves do not have the exact same flavor as curry leaves, the Thai ones have a surprisingly similar herby flavor. Use a small handful of fresh Thai basil leaves instead of curry leaves.