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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different plant essential oils against Listeria monocytogenes, both in vitro and in a food system. Essential oils of thyme, clove, and pimenta were found to be most effective, based on disc diffusion experiments. Thyme and clove proved to be highly effective against L. monocytogenes in peptone water (1g/l) and reduced the bacterial population below detection limits at concentrations of 1ml/l. Experiments were also carried out in hotdogs of different fat content (zero-, low-, and full-fat) to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils against L. monocytogenes. Thyme essential oil reduced bacterial populations significantly (P⩽0.05) at 1ml/l level in zero- and low-fat hotdogs, but not in full-fat hotdogs. At 10ml/l level it reduced the bacterial population >1.3log₁₀cfu/g in zero-fat hotdogs, but was less effective in low- and full-fat hotdogs. Clove essential …