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    Published: Apr 19, 2024 · Modified: May 9, 2025 by Stephanie Gravalese · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Using Herbs in Cooking

    When it comes to cooking, nothing can make a dish sing like fresh ingredients. This extends from the meat, vegetables, and grains to the spices and herbs used. Use some of them yourself.

    bowl of chopped field garlic greens

    What are herbs? Are they different than spices?

    Good question! The main difference between these depends on what part of the plant they come from. Herbs are leaves, blooms, stems--anything green on the plant (I'm looking at you, chives!), while spices are a plant's fruit, berries, or seed pods. Garlic and onions are members of the Lily family and are used as both an herb and spice, but: they are a vegetable! Here are some examples of spices:

    Spices

    glass jar with fall spices cinnamon and dried orange slices
    • seeds like mustard and fennel
    • barks like cinnamon
    • fruit/berries
    • cloves
    • cumin
    • orange zest

    Using Dried vs Fresh Herbs

    Many of us use dried herbs that we've bought from the store. There is nothing wrong with that. They are convenient and can be cheaper than purchasing fresh ones. We add them to recipes, marinades, salads, and dressings. To get the best taste from them, hold them in one hand and rub them back and forth with your other index finger. It can squeeze more flavors out of your dish. 

    Better than that and cheaper still to grow your own herbs. Pinching a leaf or seeds at the peak of potency provides a different taste experience from drying. When are most herbs at their peak? It is when they are just about to bud. The flowers have yet to open. This is the time to pick the leaves and enjoy them.

    Eleven Common Herbs for Cooking

    Here are some seven popular herbs used for cooking. If you had an indoor herb garden, you could pick a few yummy leaves.

    1. Basil

    basil in a white pot

    The most common variety used is sweet basil. Pesto is made using fresh basil. When tomatoes are present, don't forget your basil, mozzarella cheese, and olive oil.

    2. Dill

    close up of dill

    You've heard of dill pickles, haven't you? This is where they get their name. This fresh herb often combines other ingredients in vinaigrette dressings and mayonnaise-based dressings. In addition, it makes a great companion for fish and shellfish dishes.

    3. Cilantro

    close up fo cilantro

    This is commonly used for South-East Asian and Mexican cooking. All parts of the herb are helpful. The seeds are known as coriander!

    4. Oregano

    close up of oregano

    A favorite Mediterranean herb that we often associate with Italian cuisine. You'll find it on pizza, in spaghetti and tomato sauce. Oregano is one of the rare herbs that taste best when dried. You can learn to grow and dry your own.

    5. Mint

    person pulling a mint leaf off of asprig of mind with a pile of mild sprigs on a wooden cutting board

    There are several varieties. It can be a stomach soother and a palette cleanser. Add a sprig of mint as a garnish on your plate for guests to nosh on between courses. Spearmint is a good choice for seasoning meats like lamb and drinks like iced tea and alcoholic beverages. 

    6. Rosemary

    Ingredients for rosemary salt - rosemary sprigs on a small cutting board next to a brown enamel cup of salt

    Seen almost as often as oregano in Mediterranean cuisine. Its many sprigs have a pungent pine fragrance that pairs well with pork, poultry, oils, sauces, and pizza.

    7. Thyme

    thyme in a flower pot

    This type of herb is paired with egg and vegetable dishes and meats like poultry, pork, and fowl. It is often added in a mixture that contains oregano, rosemary, sage, parsley, and savory.

    8. Sage

    close up of fresh sage plant

    there's a type of sage that smells like pineapples!

    9. Fennel

    fennel fronds in tea

    Fennel tastes like anise or licorice and can be used to season fish and sometimes in sauces. You can use the leaves, seeds, and stems.

    10. Lavender

    person adding dried lavender buds to a mason jar

    Lavender boasts beautiful purple blooms, and the dried lavender buds have a light and floral scent. It is calming.

    11. Chives

    bowl of chopped field garlic greens

    They are often paired with sour cream atop a baked potato or a warm potato salad.. They are great dried and fresh!

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    About Stephanie Gravalese

    Hi, I'm Stephanie Gravalese! I'm a food writer, photographer, and recipe developer with a decade of experience in the food industry. Here, I share seasonal recipes, sustainable preservation, and foraging guides for a more intentional kitchen.

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    I'm a food writer, photographer, and recipe developer with a decade of experience in the food industry. Here, I share seasonal recipes, sustainable preservation, and foraging guides for a more intentional kitchen.

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