Fresh herbs are a game changer in the kitchen. They can transform a dish in a way that dry herbs simply can’t. Think of them as a secret power play. Each one can take a bite from great to spectacular. 

Bundle of fresh herbs

Your basic guide to fresh herbs including basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme, parsley, dill, safe and cilantro plus tips on storage and substituting dried herbs for fresh herbs. 

That said, they can seem daunting. Fear not! Once you get the knack for it, there is no turning back. Here are some general tips for fresh herbs:

  • Fresh herbs are all about the oils. They carry them in their leaves and some cases, their stems. These oils are concentrated so the biggest rule of thumb is: a little goes a long way.
  • When shopping for herbs, look for leaves that are perky with little to no brown spots.
  • To store herbs at home, snip the roots a touch, wrap them loosely in a slightly damp paper towel, throw them in a Ziploc with a bit of air, and pop them in the crisping drawer. They will last much longer trust me.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the different kinds of fresh herbs. Get familiar with them and you will off to the races in no time.

Make sure you PIN Your Basic Guide to Fresh Herbs

Here are some basics for the most commonly seen fresh herbs:

Basil

I have a love affair with basil. It is a standout and comes in many different varieties. The most commonly seen is sweet basil. The leaves have a subtle sweetness with hints of licorice and clove.

PRO TIP: If you are going to garnish a dish with basil, be sure to do it just before you serve so the leaves don’t wilt or bruise.

To use it, gently pluck the leaves from the stem. Basil is an easy way to amp up a sandwich, create a more complex tomato sauce, or brighten a slice of your favorite pizza.

Recipes that use basil:

pesto aioli in a small food processor

Pesto Aioli (Pesto Mayo)

4.63 from 8 votes
Pesto aioli is the perfect condiment for so many different foods. With fresh flavors of basil and garlic, slather it on sandwiches, paninis or just use it to dip French fries.
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Frisee and passion fruit salad

Passion Fruit Caprese Salad

4.84 from 6 votes
Passion Fruit Caprese Salad, a summer salad offered by Omni Hotels & Resorts, combines a sweet and spicy serrano-passion fruit dressing and avocado spread with a traditional Caprese salad.
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Mint  

My grandmother had loads of mint growing in her backyard when I was a kid. And to this day, it still reminds me of summer. It is super versatile and can easily be used in sweet and savory dishes.

PRO TIP: To help mint releases its oils, gently tap the leaves or bunch of mint on the back of your hand to “wake” the leaves up before you use them.

You will most likely see peppermint or spearmint at your grocery store. Peppermint has a more pronounced mint flavor than sweeter spearmint. Both are delicious tossed with fresh fruits, in your favorite salad, or made into pestos to accompany grilled meats.

Recipes that use mint:

Couscous with red onion and fresh mint

White Cooking Wine Couscous

5 from 7 votes
White Cooking Wine Couscous with Garlic and Mint is the perfect spring side dish for pairing with lamb, chicken, seafood and fish. This mild and fresh couscous recipe can’t be beat!
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Overhead of fruit salad in white bowl

Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe

4.56 from 9 votes
This is the best fruit salad recipe! With an easy fruit salad dressing of agave and fresh mint, it's the perfect refreshing salad recipe for summer!
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Oregano

I’ll admit it, I associate oregano with pizza, but the truth is it has so much more to offer. Closely related to the mint family and native to the Mediterranean, oregano has a slightly bitter, robust, and woodsy flavor.

PRO TIP: Oregano goes with just about any tomato-based dish. The sweetness and acidity of the tomato balance out the oregano’s strong flavor.

Throw some into a marinade for chicken, chop it up and add it to your favorite bread dough, or add it to a soup to give it a little more wow.

Recipes that use oregano:

A plate of Meatball and Spaghetti

Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

5 from 10 votes
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs just the way mom makes them. Just a handful of ingredients makes the perfect sauce.
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straight on shot of slow cooker beef stew

Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

4.58 from 19 votes
Beef Stew is one of the most iconic comfort foods and this version features tender beef, onions, potatoes, fire roasted tomatoes in a rich herb filled stew. This recipe can be made in the slow cooker or Dutch oven.
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Rosemary

Rosemary’s distinctive in look and flavor  (bittersweet pine and citrus) make it one of my all time favorites. It can be used stem and all or you can remove the leaves.

PRO TIP: To get the leaves off easily, hold the stem in one hand and use the fingertips of your other hand to slide down the stem against the grain. This gently and swiftly pulls the leaves away.

Try some on your potatoes in the oven while they are roasting or throw the whole stem into a soup or a pot of beans. If you are feeling ambitious, tie a few sprigs together to create a brush and use it to brush your steak, fish, or pork on the grill.

Recipes that use rosemary:

stuffing wreath

Herb Stuffing Wreath

4.86 from 7 votes
Of all of the homemade stuffing recipes, this Herb Stuffing Wreath is the best! It will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner!Of all of the homemade stuffing recipes, this Herb Stuffing Wreath is the best! It will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner!
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close up of chicken pot pie casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

4.64 from 25 votes
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole using biscuits is an easy way to make a comforting chicken casserole. Easy pot pie filling with buttery topping.
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Thyme

Time to get serious about thyme. Thyme comes in dozens of varieties, each with their own unique flavor. Most often, what is in the grocery store is French thyme.

PRO TIP: If a recipe calls for a sprig of thyme, throw the whole thing in. The leaves will fall off during the cook and you simply need to fish out the stem before you serve.

It has an earthy somewhat dusty (yes, it’s a thing) flavor with hints of citrus and mint. It is great fresh off the stem in salad dressings, as a quick garnish, or tucked into your favorite protein to flavor it from the inside out. 

Recipes that use thyme:

overhead of a spoon in a bowl of mushrooms

Mushroom Sauce for Steak

4.19 from 201 votes
Homemade steak sauces don't get any better than this Mushroom Sauce! Not only does it taste great on steak, but you can add it to many other things, too!
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bowl of lamb stew

Easy Lamb Stew

4.39 from 52 votes
Lamb Stew using ground lamb is made in just 30 minutes! Flavorful broth, crispy veggies and lentils make this fall stew recipe an easy weeknight meal.Lamb Stew using ground lamb is made in just 30 minutes! Flavorful broth, crispy veggies and lentils make this fall stew recipe an easy weeknight meal.
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Parsley

Parsley is no longer just a garnish for plates. Both curly parsley and flat leaf (aka Italian) parsley can be used to cook with and both offer up the same general flavor – grassy and almost lemony.

PRO TIP:  9 times out of 10 you will only be using the leaves of the parsley. Only take off as many as you need for that recipe and the rest will last longer.

It is a workhorse. While on its own, it isn’t the most dazzling of the herbs, parsley can lift up a dish like no other. Try it in chimichurri, or a garnish on your favorite soup, or even tossed with pasta.

Recipes that use parsley:

bowl of ranch cocktail meatballs

Ranch Meatballs

4.59 from 12 votes
With simple ingredients and 35 minutes, you can make these delicious EASY Ranch Meatballs for dinner! A great way to spice up your spaghetti and meatballs!
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close up of chicken kiev cut in half

Easy Chicken Kiev

4.78 from 9 votes
Thin chicken breasts stuffed with compound butter and covered in a light Panko breading, this Chicken Kiev is an easy dinner the whole family will enjoy!
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Dill

Dill is an anomaly. It’s part of the carrot family (surprise!), but it tastes like a mix between celery, anise, and fennel. While the stems can be used, I prefer to pick the fronds from the stem for a more tender bite.

It is typically sold in large bunches which is great because it can be used so many ways. Have some veggies in the fridge you don’t know what to do with? Try using the dill to make pickles.

PRO TIP: Dill is one of the few fresh herbs that can be used with reckless abandon without overpowering a recipe. Have at it!

Looking to make a potato salad? Chop some dill up and toss it into the mix to liven it up. Making an omelet for breakfast? Throw some dill in with other veggies for a great way to start the day.

Recipes that use dill:

creamy ranch mashed potatoes

Creamy Ranch Potatoes

4.89 from 9 votes
These creamy ranch mashed potatoes, with sour cream and fresh herbs, will quickly become your new favorite side dish.
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close up angled shot of cucumber canapes

Easy Cucumber Sandwiches

4.84 from 18 votes
These Cucumber Sandwiches, or cucumber canapes, are easy tea sandwiches that are perfect for any get-together, including holiday parties.
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Sage

Let’s not pigeonhole sage as a fall spice saved for Thanksgiving stuffing. It has so much more to give. Sage’s soft fuzzy leaves are incredibly earthy, citrusy, and peppery.

PRO TIP: In most cases, sage is not eaten raw. You will most likely add it to the dish right before it is finished.

As with most herbs, be careful how much you are adding to a dish as it can completely overwhelm a dish. It pairs well with fatty meats, is amazing tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich, and beautiful when added to a sauce with pasta.

Recipes that use sage:

Mushroom Chicken and Rice Skillet is an easy one dish meal with loads of flavor like peas, mushrooms, shallots, sage and garlic.

Mushroom Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Mushroom Chicken and Rice Skillet is an easy one dish meal with loads of flavor like peas, mushrooms, shallots, sage and garlic.
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small plate with sage butter

Orange Sage Butter

4.58 from 14 votes
You won't believe how easy it is once you've learned how to make flavored butter! This Orange Sage Butter recipe is full of flavor and tastes great on almost everything.
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Cilantro

Cilantro certainly causes a commotion. Some folks taste soap while others experience heaven in each bite. I fall into the second camp and enjoy it every which way I can – especially on a taco. 

PRO TIP: Cilantro can be covered in a bit of grit from the soil and/or sand it was grown in. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water, drop the cilantro in, and give it a swirl. This will allow those unpleasant bits to fall away. You might need to repeat the process a few times to get rid of everything completely.

The leaves are great, but the stems have even more flavor so chop away and use the whole thing. Use it to top chilis, don’t forget to throw some in your guac, or fold it into finished rice to give it some pep.

Recipes that use cilantro:

A close up of breaded fried chicken

Crispy Mexican Chicken

3.73 from 18 votes
Topped with melty cheese and covered in a flavorful breading, this EASY Crispy Mexican Chicken recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner!
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salmon pattie with white creamy sauce on top

Southern Salmon Croquettes Recipe

4.22 from 985 votes
Salmon Croquettes are a southern classic! Full of salmon, peppers, onions and seasoning, this versatile dish is sure to be loved by all!
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Fresh herbs are an incredible way to take your cooking up a notch. Once you get the hang of it, you can start to mix and match them for even more complex flavors.

To continue your herbaceous education, head to your local farmers market. They typically sell varieties you can’t get in the store. If you are unsure of how they taste, ask! They will be all too happy to let you taste a leaf and give you suggestions on what to pair it with. 

Fresh herb guide


 

Questions you might have about how to use fresh herbs: 

How do I store fresh herbs? Storing fresh herbs is a little like prepping fresh flowers.

Snip a small amount of the bottom stems for a fresh cut.

Using a paper towel, blot until all leaves are dry or wait to wash your herbs until you are about to cook with them. 

Dampen a paper towel and wrap the ends tightly, place into an airtight plastic bag OR fill a glass with 1-2 inches of water and place the stem into the water. Loosely cover with a plastic bag or even leave at room temperture. 

How long will stored herbs stay good? Most fresh herbs will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored this way. 

What is the substitution of fresh herbs for dried herbs? In general, 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs equals one teaspoon of dried herbs. 

Know that dried spices expire. Next time you buy a spice, use a label maker and mark the lid with the date. Buy smaller containers to avoid having to throw out the excess. Ground spices last 6-8 months, while whole spices last closer to one year.

When in doubt, give it a whiff. If you can nothing, then the spice it probably bad. To get even more punch out of dried herbs, rub them together between your palms to reactivate the natural oils and bring some life back into them

Happy experimenting!

Bundle of fresh herbs
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Questions and Reviews

  1. I always prefer to cook with fresh herbs and these are some great tips to make them last! Looking forward to giving some of these recipes a try too; they look worthy of a restaurant, indeed!

  2. This is a fabulous resource on Fresh herbs and how to use them. I have bookmarked this page for future reference.

  3. What a brilliant resource, thank you. I always have so much mint in the garden and now I have lots of tips to use it. Thank you!