8 Spring Herbs You Should Be Cooking With

Spring is a time of renewal, both for the earth and for your kitchen. Introduce these spring herbs into your dishes today for a super-fresh take on some of your favorite meals.

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fresh spring chives
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Chives

Chives are the onion’s sweeter cousin, with a milder and fresher taste. Chives are super versatile—sprinkle them over a baked potato, stir them into crab cakes or add them to butter for a tasty spring spread.

Don’t stop there, though. Check out our best fresh chive recipes.

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Cilantro
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Cilantro

Cilantro has a fragrant fruity and citrusy flavor that’s perfect in a fresh bruschetta or in a zippy salad dressing. Some folks aren’t fans—here’s the scientific reason why.

All you cilantro fans, try these fresh cilantro recipes.

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Dill

This feathery and fresh green herb adds an aromatic bite to your favorite veggie dip or egg salad. Popular in Greek and Italian cuisines, look for crisp and brightly colored leaves when shopping for dill.

Then look at these amazing fresh dill recipes that go way beyond pickles.

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cutting basil plant
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Basil

There are over 30 varieties of this plant, with sweet basil being what you’ll commonly find in stores. While we love basil in classic Italian dishes like a caprese sandwich or spaghetti sauce, why not switch it up for spring and try it in a relish with fresh strawberries (another spring produce favorite) over seared salmon?

Get all of our fresh basil recipes here.

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Lemongrass

Particularly popular in Asian cuisine, lemongrass packs a punch, so slice it up sparingly and incorporate it into any number of dishes like this light Thai shrimp soup for a citrusy kick.

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Green fresh mint on the wooden table
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Mint

One of the few herbs that pairs just as beautifully in a dessert (try this lemon mint curd) as it does in dinner (there’s no beating this chicken dish), and even in your favorite cocktail (mojitos, need we say more?), fresh mint is a kitchen must-have. Mint has a sweet and spicy scent that is almost universally known and grows quickly in your home garden.

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Tarragon

Tarragon has an aromatic flavor that’s a staple in many French dishes like a fines herbes omelet or with asparagus, and in Bérnaise sauce. It is also popular infused in oils and white wine vinegars for a light anise quality.

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Parsley
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Parsley

Don’t ignore this popular restaurant garnish—it actually has a lot of benefits! Parsley is high in vitamin K and has anti-inflammatory properties, and has a crisp and fresh flavor you don’t want to miss. Try combining fresh parsley with lemon for a savory and springy baked cod.

Check out parsley and these nine other herbs perfect for your kitchen garden!

Jacqueline Weiss
Jacqueline is a blogger and writer, passionate about sharing the latest in helpful tips and trends in food and cooking. In her spare time, you’ll find her trying new restaurants and experimenting in the kitchen.