When summer arrives, its time to fire up the grill and load up on picnic-basket favorites. But a good cook will tell you it’s also the best time to shelve that old jar of dried seasoning. Why? Fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro and thyme are at their peak freshness. Check out our best recipes featuring fresh herbs.
Herbs are an easy way to add life to dull dishes. As such, they’re the secret weapon for many professional cooks. These tasty little plants add vitality to every bite. Toss some basil into a caprese salad or garnish tacos with fresh cilantro and your family might just start calling you chef. (Psst! Our food editor James Schend shares how to prep them the right way.)
Herbs come in a variety of forms and flavors, but deciding which to use can be tricky. Follow this helpful guide to learn the best uses for some of summer’s freshest (and finest) ingredients:
Basil
Photo: Shutterstock/Billion Photos
One of the more popular herbs in the United States, basil has many varieties. Perhaps the most common are sweet (Italian) basil and Thai purple basil. Both are floral and clove-like, with powerful sweetness and a hint of pepper. Although most commonly associated with Mediterranean cooking, basil is a fragrant companion to Asian and Indian foods and adds a refreshing balance to spicier dishes.
For maximum flavor and to prevent browning, add basil at the end of cooking. Remove the leaves and discard the stems, as the leaves hold the most flavor. Basil is a delightful accompaniment to summer tomatoes, grilled chicken, curry and mozzarella cheese. Get more recipes for fresh basil.
Lime Basil Pie
Spinach-Basil Lasagna
Basil & Heirloom Tomato Toss
Caprese Salad Kabobs
Chicken Provolone
Pesto
Basil Vegetable Strata
Basil Pork Chops
Crispy Goat Cheese Appetizers
Seared Salmon with Strawberry Basil Relish
Strawberry-Basil Cocktail
Heirloom Tomato Tart
Basil-Lemon Crab Linguine
Garlic Basil Butter
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Strawberry Basil Jam
Honey-Melon Salad with Basil
Viva Panzanella
Lemon-Basil Grilled Shrimp & Couscous
Basil Dill Coleslaw
Roasted Tomato Soup with Fresh Basil
Basil and Parsley Pesto
Tomato-Basil Steak
Peach-Basil Cooler
Caprese Chicken
Grilled Sausage-Basil Pizzas
Basil Corn & Tomato Bake
Blueberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Pie
Grilled Tilapia Piccata
Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast Strata
Berry-Basil Limeade Jam
Lemon-Basil Mojito Mocktails
Bruschetta Chicken
Basil Grilled Corn on the Cob
Grilled Basil Chicken
Lemon Basil Salmon
Basil Burgers with Sun-Dried Tomato Mayonnaise
Mediterranean Chicken in Creamy Herb Sauce
Cherry Tomato & Basil Focaccia
Lemon-Basil Chicken Rotini
Cilantro
KatyaPulina/Shutterstock
Otherwise known as the coriander leaf, cilantro is bright and refreshing with a zesty lemon flavor. Some find it “soapy,” (there’s a scientific reason why!) and American consumers are pretty well divided on whether they love or hate it. The herb is a staple in Latin American and Asian cooking.
Like most herbs, cilantro can be eaten raw or cooked, and it has the ability to bring the dullest sauces to life with its invigorating flavor profile. See for yourself with this herb-packed recipe for Enchilada Sauce or one of our other favorite cilantro recipes.
Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Butter
Fajita-Style Shrimp and Grits
Sriracha Veggie Slaw
Steak with Chipotle-Lime Chimichurri
Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries
Strawberry Tomato Salsa
Cilantro & Lemon Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Vegetarian Pad Thai
Southwestern Goulash
Jicama Citrus Salad
Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo Meatballs
Cilantro Ginger Carrots
Flank Steak with Cilantro Salsa Verde
Cilantro-Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese Butter
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Sandwiches
Cilantro-Lime Rice
Mexican Egg Casserole
Cilantro Salad Dressing
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Black Bean & Corn Quinoa
Grilled Steaks with Cilantro Sauce
Sesame Cilantro Shrimp
Shrimp & Avocado Salads
Cilantro Blue Cheese Slaw
Cilantro Shrimp & Rice
Radish, Carrot & Cilantro Salad
Cilantro Tomato Bruschetta
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
Cilantro Potatoes
Shrimp Gazpacho
Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Black Beans
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Roasted Carrots with Cilantro-Walnut Pesto
Lime-Cilantro Marinade for Chicken
Cilantro Beef Tacos
Cauliflower Ceviche
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches with Cilantro Pesto
Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter
Caribbean-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa
Parsley
Photo: Shutterstock/ Diana Taliun
Parsley is perhaps the most versatile and popular herb in the world. It has a subtle flavor that adds freshness and bite. Although the leaves hold the most flavor, the stems can be equally potent.
Use it to garnish a soup or toss with summer greens for a crisp salad. It also makes easy seasoning for stocks. For a quick parsley-studded brunch dish, try this Cheese and Fresh Herb Quiche. Parsley pairs perfectly with lemon, butter, pasta and eggs. Find out what else you can do with parsley.
Steak with Chipotle-Lime Chimichurri
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches with Cilantro Pesto
Blue Cheese-Stuffed Shrimp
Cheese and Fresh Herb Quiche
Chicken with Citrus Chimichurri Sauce
Heirloom Tomato & Zucchini Salad
Crunchy-Herbed Chicken Breasts
Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
Lemony Parsley Baked Cod
Simple Lemon Parsley Potatoes
Grapefruit-Gremolata Salmon
Homemade Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix
Flavorful Herb Bread
Garlic Lover's Chicken
Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Quick Bacon Potato Salad
Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
Herb-Buttered Baby Carrots
Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
Grilled Pineapple Chimichurri Chicken
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Bow Ties with Walnut-Herb Pesto
Basil and Parsley Pesto
Red Potato Salad with Lemony Vinaigrette
Pork Meatballs with Chimichurri Sauce
Parsley Smashed Potatoes
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Garlic-Herb Mini Quiches
Garlic Garbanzo Bean Spread
Cherry Tomato Salad
Potato-Bean Salad with Herb Dressing
Spicy Kale and Herb Porchetta
Curry & Parmesan Tuna Salad
Herbed Salmon Fillet
Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Herbed Beer Can Chicken
Parsley Butter
Chimichurri Monkey Bread
Grilled Steaks with Cilantro Sauce
Mint
Photo: Shutterstock / Anna Kurzaeva
This cool, bright herb has a similar flavor profile to basil. Though it’s most commonly associated with desserts, mint is a key player in savory dishes, such as this flavor-boosted shrimp and feta skillet.
For a more traditional approach, use mint to garnish a fresh fruit arrangement or toss it into fresh lemonade. For a fast and refreshing summer side, try this Minty Watermelon and Cucumber Salad. Get all of our best fresh mint recipes to help you use up that bumper crop.
Mojito Slush
Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Minty Sugar Snap Peas
Cantaloupe Ice Pops
Cilantro & Lemon Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Touch-of-Mint Iced Tea
Couscous Tabbouleh with Fresh Mint & Feta
Hearty Chicken Gyros
Mint Julep
Summer Orzo
Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish
Minted Beet Salad
Couscous Salad with Olives & Raisins
Lemon Mint Curd
Cranberry-Lime Semifreddo with Pound Cake
Mint Watermelon Salad
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Grilled Pork with Pear Salsa
Brown Sugar Salmon with Strawberries
Grilled Fruit Phyllo Tart
Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl
Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Orange Relish
Curried Beef Pitas with Cucumber Sauce
Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches
Spring Chicken and Pea Salad
Moroccan Stuffed Mushrooms
Strawberry Mint Chicken
Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Pear Chutney
Whole Wheat Orzo Salad
Mojito Marinated Fruit
Mediterranean Layered Dip
Mimi's Lentil Medley
Stuffed Grilled Zucchini
Grilled Greek Fish
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta
Grilled Steaks with Cilantro Sauce
Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops
Casablanca Chutney Chicken
Lime Mint Jelly
Lemon Herb Quinoa
Delicate Mint Thins
Spicy Beef Salad
Thai Veggie Dip
Dad's Best Pork Chops
Spiced Mint Tea
Watermelon Cups
Pea Soup Shooters
Honey-Lime Berry Salad
Moroccan Pot Roast
Minted Butter
Zesty Herbed Lamb Chops
Halibut Steaks with Papaya Mint Salsa
Citrusy Fruit Kabobs
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
Minted Sugar Snap Pea Salad
Layered Mediterranean Dip with Pita Chips
Lemon Mint Spritzer
Raspberry Mint Jam
Avocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette
Grilled Pork Noodle Salad
Rustic Tuscan Pepper Bruschetta
Maple Blackberry Mojito
Rosemary
Nataliia K / Shutterstock
Tough and woody, rosemary is a pungent herbal stalk that pairs best with full-flavored and robust meats. The leaves can be used fresh or dried.
Rosemary’s pine-like flavor lends itself to hearty meals like lamb chops, pork tenderloin and roasted potatoes. But don’t let the hearty pairings fool you; rosemary is just as tasty with light summer fare. Whip up these Strawberry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops for your next family BBQ. Get more sweet and savory ideas for rosemary.
Rosemary Flatbreads
Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries
Chicken with Red Wine Cream Sauce
Lemon-Rosemary Layer Cake
Strawberry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops
Beer-Braised Pulled Ham
Rosemary Butternut Squash Lasagna
Sausage Skillet with Pasta & Herbs
Bistro Herb-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn
Garlic Chicken with Herbs
Herb Roasted Root Vegetables
Citrus & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Herbed Apple-Cranberry Bread Dressing
Apple Orchard Pork Roast
Rosemary-Thyme Lamb Chops
Cranberry, Brie & Turkey Pizza
Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower
Honey-Roasted Chicken & Root Vegetables
Flavorful Mashed Potatoes
Skillet Beef and Potatoes
Bruschetta with Prosciutto
Champagne Cocktail
Winter Squash, Sausage & Feta Bake
Lemon & Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Lamb Stew
Kalamata Cheesecake Appetizer
Grandma's Rosemary Dinner Rolls
Rosemary Jelly
Herb Garden Vegetables
Herbed Goat Cheese Baguette Slices
Rosemary Beet Phyllo Bites
Portobello Bruschetta with Rosemary Aioli
Mushroom-Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts in Rosemary Cream Sauce
Rosemary Lemonade
Rosemary-Lemon Sea Salt
White Bean Soup with Rosemary & Parmesan
Roast Rack of Lamb with Herb Sauce
French Onion Pizza au Gratin
Thyme
Photo: Shutterstock/CGissemann
A staple in French cooking and a key ingredient in herbes de Provence, thyme is a pungent herb with a thin woody stem and tiny leaves. The leaves are aromatic and floral with a strong but understated taste. For best results, strip the leaves from the stems (like rosemary) and chop before use.
Thyme is a classic addition to roast chicken but can also be used in breads, desserts, cocktails and so much more. See for yourself, with this easy recipe for Scalloped Potatoes with Ham.
Lemon & Thyme Roasted Chicken
Thymed Zucchini Saute
Thyme-Baked Apple Slices
Orange-Glazed Pork Loin
Herb & Romano Cheese Wreath
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh Herbs
Heirloom Tomato Pie
Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair
Flavorful Mashed Potatoes
Orange-Thyme Chicken in Garlic Sauce
The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
Roasted Potatoes with Garlic Butter
Slow-Cooker Short Ribs
Grilled Lemon & Thyme Lemonade
Blushing Penne Pasta
Thyme-Roasted Carrots
Rosemary-Thyme Lamb Chops
Maple-Thyme Chicken Thighs
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
Strawberry-Thyme Jam
Thyme & Basil Roast Pork
Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash
Turkey Thyme Risotto
Spring-Thyme Chicken Stew
Lemon Thyme Green Tea
Potato Kielbasa Skillet
Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Saute
Shrimp Tortellini Pasta Toss
Chicken Biscuit Potpie
West African Chicken Stew
Dill
Photo: Shutterstock/Rui Elena
A bouquet of wispy, fragrant fronds, Dill weed is a tangy herb most commonly associated with Scandinavian and German cooking. Its delicate strands boast a strong flavor of clean, fresh earthiness.
It’s ideal for poultry and a complement to lemon, yogurt and seafood. Be sure to sneak fresh dill into your next chicken soup or salad. Dive in to all of our favorite dill recipes.
Creamy Parmesan Spinach Bake
Slow-Roasted Lemon Dill Chicken
Fresh Cucumber Salad
Salmon with Dill Sauce & Lemon Risotto
Dill & Chive Peas
Zucchini Patties with Dill Dip
Dill Garden Salad
Eggs Benedict with Dill Sauce
Dilly Barbecued Turkey
Braised Dill Potatoes
Chicken Tzatziki Cucumber Boats
Grilled Corn with Dill
Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
Lemon & Dill Shrimp Sandwiches
Chicken and Broccoli with Dill Sauce
Chicken Bean Soup
Garlic-Herb Salmon Sliders
Salmon Mousse Cups
Tortellini with Asparagus & Lemon
Garden Spinach-Potato Salad
Smoked Salmon-Potato Brunch Bake
Greek-Style Chicken Burgers
Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust
Herb & Sun-Dried Tomato Muffins
Pickled Green Beans with Smoked Salmon Dip
Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo Salad
Dilled Mushroom Turnovers
Roasted Green Bean Salad
Greek Salad Ravioli
Hearty Slow-Cooker Breakfast Hash
Steak & Mushroom Stroganoff
Curried Beef Pitas with Cucumber Sauce
Mushroom & Smoked Salmon Tarts
Flavorful Matzo Ball Soup
Smoked Salmon New Potatoes
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette
Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Dilled Seafood Salad Sandwiches
Tzatziki Potato Salad
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
Chives
Photo: Shutterstock/Anna Shepulova
Often confused for green grass, chives are a garlicky relative of the onion. They have a bold yet refined flavor, making them one of the most versatile ingredients in a cook’s arsenal. (See all the ways our readers use it!) What’s more, the whole plant is edible-including the bright purple flowers that sprout in spring.
Use chives as a garnish for a simple omelet or as a main ingredient in potato salad.
Sour Cream Chive Bread
Sausage Chive Pinwheels
Garlic-Chive Whipped Butter
Cheesy Chive Omelet
Chive Buttered Carrots
Cream Cheese & Chive Omelet
Garlic-Chive Baked Fries
Potato-Bean Salad with Herb Dressing
Chive Biscuit Ornaments
Broccoli & Chive-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Sour Cream & Chives Mashed Potatoes
Chive-Cheese Cornbread
Chive Crab Cakes
Chive Pinwheel Rolls
Cream of Wild Rice Soup
Deluxe Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon
Chunky Blue Cheese Dip
Herb & Cheese Scrambled Eggs
Tomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette
Mini Sausage Quiches
Party Cheese Bread
Crab-Stuffed Flounder with Herbed Aioli
Pork & Chive Pot Stickers
Savory French Toast
How to Store Fresh Herbs
After purchasing a bunch of fresh herbs, wash and dry them thoroughly to remove any sand or dirt. Wrap the stems in a damp paper towel and place in a Ziploc bag. The moisture from the paper towel will preserve the freshness and lifespan of these finicky little leaves for an extra few days.
Want to save them even longer? Learn how to freeze fresh herbs, here.