Fresh herbs add both flavor and health benefits to meals. Here are a few tips to help you use fresh herbs in your cooking and how to store fresh herbs so they last longer.
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Fresh Herbs vs Dried Herbs
Fresh herbs do have a slightly different taste than the dried herbs you buy from the store. When substituting fresh herbs for dried in a recipe, use 3-4 times more fresh herbs than the recipe calls for and add them at the end. Add dried herbs during cooking to bring out the most flavor from the herbs. Woody herbs like rosemary and thyme retain their flavor when dried. Tender herbs like basil lose much of their flavor once dried so it’s better to use it fresh. Most chefs use a combination of fresh and dried herbs.
How to Store Fresh Herbs
There are two main ways to store fresh herbs. The first is in a jar with a little water on the bottom. Trim the stems of the herb and place in the jar. The water should just cover the bottom of the stems. The second way to keep herbs fresh is by wrapping them in a damp towel and then placing in a plastic bag in the fridge.
How to Use Fresh Basil
Commonly Used In: Caprese, pastas, tomato sauces, pesto, pizza, soups and stews, stir-fries, curries, salads
Add at the end of cooking to maximize flavor and do not simmer.
Basil Pairs Well With:
Produce – Tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, berries, figs, peaches, plums
Proteins – Chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, eggs
Herbs/Spices – Garlic, olive oil, oregano, thyme, fennel
How to Store Basil:
Store in a jar on the countertop for 7-10 days.
How to Cook with Fresh Cilantro
Commonly Used In: Salsas, guacamole, chutneys, soups, curries, salads, vinaigrettes, spicy dishes
Cut the leaves from the stem and use as a fresh garnish, or add into a cooked dish at the last minute to flavor the dish without wilting.
Cilantro Pairs Well With:
Produce – Avocados, tomatoes, bell peppers, apples, bananas, mangoes, pears, summer melons
Proteins – Chicken, fish, beef, pork
Herbs/Spices – Ginger, cumin, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom
How to Store Fresh Cilantro:
Store in a jar in the fridge for 7-10 days.
How to Use Fresh Mint
Commonly Used In: Fruit salads, curries, jellies, soups, marinades, cream sauces, cocktails, cakes/frostings
Chop lightly and add fresh to the dish, or steep leaves in tea.
Mint Pairs Well With:
Produce – Berries, oranges and limes, summer melons, plums, apples, pears, peas, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots
Proteins – Lamb, pork chops, beans and lentils
Herbs/Spices – Ginger, cayenne, cumin, lemon verbena, chamomile, chocolate
How to Store Fresh Mint:
Store in a jar in the fridge for 7-10 days.
How to Use Fresh Parsley
Commonly Used In: Sauces, marinades, salads, soups and stews, pastas, garnishes
Chop finely and add to seafood and meat sauces at the last minute, or use as a garnish to add a burst of color to dishes. Flat parsley holds up better in longer cooking, curly parsley looks great as a garnish.
Parsley Pairs Well With:
Produce – Mushrooms, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bananas, coconuts, grapefruits, mangoes, pineapples, summer melons
Proteins – Fish, chicken, beef, tofu
Herbs/Spices – Basil and chives, tarragon
How to Store Fresh Parsley:
Store in a jar in the fridge for 7-10 days.
How to Use Fresh Chives
Commonly Used In: Sauces, soups and stews, salads, stir-fries, breads, dips with mayonnaise or sour cream, risottos
Thinly slice or snip. Use raw as a garnish or add at the end of cooking so as to not destroy the flavor.
Chives Pairs Well With:
Produce – Potatoes, asparagus, onions, leeks,
Proteins – Chicken, fish, shellfish, eggs
Herbs/Spices – Parsley and basil, tarragon, dill
How to Store Fresh Chives:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Cook with Fresh Oregano
Commonly Used In: Pizza, pastas, dressings, oil and butter, pesto
Strip the leaves from the stems and use them whole or chopped at the end of cooking.
Oregano Pairs Well With:
Produce – Tomatoes, eggplant, mushrooms, potatoes, zucchini, artichokes, bell peppers
Proteins – Beef, chicken, fried fish, lamb, pork, turkey, eggs
Herbs/Spices – Chilli, bay leaves, marjoram and thyme, fennel and basil
How to Store Fresh Oregano:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Use Fresh Rosemary
Commonly Used In: Marinades and oils, sauces, soups and stews, focaccia bread, roasted vegetables
Chop finely or add whole stems at beginning and remove before serving. Can be used in longer simmering dishes.
Rosemary Pairs Well With:
Produce – Potatoes, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, peas, spinach, cauliflower, oranges, apricots
Proteins – Fish, poultry, pork, lamb, eggs
Herbs/Spices – Oregano, thyme, garlic
How to Store Fresh Rosemary:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Cook with Fresh Thyme
Commonly Used In: Broths, soups and stews, flatbreads, marinades, stuffings, Cajun and Creole dishes, Caribbean Jerk seasoning
Can be used in longer simmering dishes. Use stems for a stronger flavor but remove before serving.
Thyme Pairs Well With:
Produce – Carrots, peas, winter squash, tomatoes, potatoes, cherries, figs, grapes, honeydew melon, peaches, pears
Proteins – Lamb, fish, chicken, duck, pork
Herbs/Spices – Parsley and bay, rosemary, oregano, sweet marjoram, sumac, cilantro
How to Store Fresh Thyme:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Use Fresh Tarragon
Commonly Used In: Bérnaise sauce, omelets, gazpachos, dressings, garnishes, pickles
Heat diminishes its flavor, so add tarragon toward the end of cooking, or use it as a garnish. A little goes a long way.
Tarragon Pairs Well With:
Produce – Potatoes, artichokes, carrots, leeks, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes
Proteins – Chicken, shellfish, beef, lamb, eggs
Herbs/Spices – Parsley, chervil, chives
How to Store Fresh Tarragon:
Store in a jar in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Use Fresh Dill
Commonly Used In: Pickles, cucumber dishes, soups, potato salad, yogurt dishes, omelets, sauces, dressings, sour cream or cream cheese dishes
Best used fresh for more flavor. Can be added at the end of cooking.
Dill Pairs Well With:
Produce – Cucumbers, beets, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomatoes
Proteins – Seafood (especially salmon), beans, eggs, chicken
Herbs/Spices – Mustard, pepper, allspice, bay leaves, mace, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, chives, parsley
How to Store Fresh Dill:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Cook with Fresh Sage
Commonly Used In: Robust flavor best with heavy foods. Used in cheese and cream based items, sweet and savory breads, stuffings, risottos, tomato sauce
Add at the beginning of cooking. Remove leaves from stem and use whole or chop.
Sage Pairs Well With:
Produce – Potatoes, Brussel sprouts, eggplant, peas, winter squash, apple
Proteins – Pork, beef, turkey, sausage, beans
Herbs/Spices – Lemon, winter savory
How to Store Fresh Sage:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
How to Use Fresh Lemongrass
Commonly Used In: Curries, soups, stir-fries, spring rolls, marinades, teas, flan, panna cotta
Remove the tough outer leaves from the stalk until you reach the pale interior. Trim the very top and bottom. Can prep by grating, chopping, or pulverizing. Add at the beginning of cooking or fresh, depending on the recipe.
Lemongrass Pairs Well With:
Produce – Spring vegetables, bell peppers, tomatoes
Proteins – Fish, poultry, pork, beef
Herbs/Spices – Chili pepper, garlic, galangal, turmeric
How to Store Fresh Lemongrass:
Roll in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
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