Quick Guide to some Culinary Herbs

Using Herbs in Recipes

Quick guide to some common potherbs and their culinary uses and the foods, dishes, and vegetables they enhance.

Basil

(Ocimum basilicum)
Tomatoes, soups, salads, pizza, salad dressings, chicken dishes, egg dishes, salmon, tuna, spaghetti, meatloaf, dips, herb sandwiches, green beans, wax beans, cauliflower, corn

Bay leaves

(Laurus nobilis)
Meats, stews, steamed fish, sauces, soups, pickling, casseroles, stocks, syrups, garnish, pâté and terrines

Chervil

(Anthriscus cerefolium)
Eggs, salads, vegetables, soups, chicken, fish, herb butter, cottage cheese

Chives

(Allium schoenoprasum)
Dips, sauces, spreads, garnish, cold chicken, barbecued meats, baked and mashed potatoes, egg dishes, cheese soufflés, salads, carrots, soups, vichyssoise, herb sandwiches

Cilantro

(Coriandrum sativum)
Salads, guacamole, soups, stews, salsas, chutneys, dips, beans, soups, used in Asian, Mexican, Indian, Tex Mex, Caribbean, and North African cuisines

Coriander

(Coriandrum sativum)
Ginger cookies, curry, Indian dishes, Greek dishes, Asian cooking, pickles, veal, fish, fruit puddings, tea cakes, apple crumbles

Dill weed

(Anethum graveolens)
Seafood and shellfish, salads, herb butter, dips, sauces, soups, vegetable stews, fish dishes, vinegars and oils, breads and sandwiches, egg and cheese dishes, green beans, wax beans, cabbage, seeds are used in pickling, coleslaw, cakes, breads, teas

Fennel

(Foeniculum vulgare)
Salads, fish, duck, pork, veal, sauces, stuffings / dressings, mayonnaise, flavored butters, salad dressings, seeds used in breads

Lemon grass / Lemongrass

(Cymbopogon citratus)
Soups, sauces, stirfry, chicken, tomatoes, fish, seafood, beef, Caribbean and Asian dishes (Thai and Vietnamese)

Mint

(Mentha)
Carrots, lamb sauce, pea soup, soft cheeses, herb sandwiches, egg dishes, vegetables such as buttered peas, mashed potatoes, mint ice, cold drinks, mint juleps, mint jelly, sauces, tea, garnish, desserts (Peppermint)

Oregano

(Origanum vulgare)
Meat sauces, tomato sauces, breads, Italian dishes, veal, egg dishes, vegetables, pizza, salads, casseroles, soups (tomato, pea), pates and poultry dishes, beans, rice, cabbage

Parsley

(Petroselinum crispum )
Fish and meat sauces, salads, soups (vegetable, tomato, fish), dips, vegetables, omelettes and other egg dishes, breads and sandwiches, sausage, stuffing, hamburgers, tuna loaf, potatoes, salad dressings, garnishes

Rosemary

(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Lamb, chicken and poultry sauces, beef and mutton stock, vegetables in particular cauliflower, breads and scones, dumplings, liver pâté, stews, dressings

Sage

(Salvia officinalis)
Stuffing / dressing, soups (Minestrone, chicken), sauces, pork, meatballs, meatloaf, Welsh rabbit, pizza, fish, goose, duck, sausage, casseroles, omelettes, vegetarian stews, salads, Brussels sprouts

Savory

(Satureja)
Vegetables, dried bean dishes, soups, lentils, eggs, stuffings / dressings, condiments, hamburger, gravy

Sorrel

(Rumex scutatus)
Cold soups, salads, vegetables, fish, white sauces, cream sauces, eggs, poultry and white meats, goat cheese

Sweet Marjoram

(Origanum majorana)
Peas, stuffings / dressings, soups, salads, sauces, egg and cheese dishes, stews, fruit salads

Tarragon

(Artemisia dracunculus)
Chicken / poultry, fish sauces and soups, tarragon tartare sauce (tartar sauce), mushrooms, meats, liver, pâté, seafoods, egg dishes, green salads, mayonnaise, cream and butter sauces, salad dressings, vinegars and oils, vegetables (green beans and cauliflower in particular), butter, cottage cheese

Thyme

(Thymus vulgaris)
Chowders, cheese, salads, chicken and fish marinades, beef broth, soups (vegetable, chicken), liver, pâté, meatballs, meatloaf, braised rabbit, chicken, stuffing, egg dishes, broccoli, beans, lentil stew, tomatoes, butters, cottage cheese, vinegars and oils