14 Mar Herb And Food Pairings To Freshen Up Your Spring Cooking

Taking careful consideration of flavor notes and aromas can transform your dining experience. And while pairing can sound like an overwhelming beast, it’s not as farfetched and difficult as people make it out to be. As professional foodies, we want to introduce you to our favorite herbs and cooking suggestions that you can use for dinner tonight.

The Herbs

The Staple herbs for any foodie’s kitchen include basil, thyme, dill, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, tarragon, coriander and parsley. Of course, no need to have all these on hand all the time. We suggest shopping with weekly recipes in mind. Pairing ahead at the grocery store will add more intention to every meal. (Plus, you’ll likely save some money nixing the stuff you won’t use this week.)

While pre-ground herbs can be convenient, fresh is always more flavorful. Fresh herbs are an experience in themselves.  

Parsley loves to be paired with fish, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, pasta, soups and eggs.

Complementary herbs: basil, chives and tarragon

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil and butter.

Coriander has a floral flavor, with hints of citrus and curry, and enhances the flavors of heartier foods like beef, pork, sausage, stuffings and baked goods, chicken and grilled fish.  

Complementary herbs & spices: ginger, cinnamon, cumin, cardamon, allspice, nutmeg

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil

Thyme has a dry and almost minty taste and works wonders for lamb, grilled fish, roast beef, pork, turkey and eggs.

Complementary herbs: bay, rosemary, oregano, sumac, cilantro

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil

Basil is famous for its peppery flavor and aromatic qualities. We like to use it on white meats, lamb, turkey and berries (specifically raspberries and strawberries).

Complementary herbs: thyme, oregano, fennel

Best oils to cook with: grapeseed oil, olive oil, pesto, walnut oil, canola oil, safflower oil, sesame oil.

Bay Leaves has a beautifully bitter taste and enhances the flavors of beans, lentils, risotto and soups.

Complementary herbs: Oregano, sage, thyme, marjoram

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, olive oil

Tarragon has a bittersweet taste similar to anise and complements chicken, fried fish, pickles, sauces more meats and vegetable dishes as well as egg and cheese-based dishes.

Complementary herbs: parsley, chervil, chives,

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, olive oil

Sage has a remarkably complex taste, with a balance or astringence and warmth, it brings out the fresh flavors in sweet fruits, squash, beef, fish and turkey.

Complementary herbs: lemon, winter savoury

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, avocado oil

Rosemary oh rosemary, we love you dearly. This lovely herb brings out the flavors in roast meats and potatoes, grilled fish, tomatoes and cauliflower

Complementary herbs: oregano, thyme, garlic

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, olive oil, corn oil

Tip: rosemary can be a bit overpowering. If you want a more subtle taste, add it to your sauce instead of directly to the dish.

Oregano has an unparalleled earthy, bitter-but-slightly-sweet taste. An essential to tomato sauces and pizza, Oregano is also great with meats including beef, chicken, fried fish, pork and turkey,

Complementary herbs: bay, thyme, marjoram, fennel, basil

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, avocado oil

Mint is an amazing (though strangely underrated) herb that we love to use with fruit, chocolate and occasionally pork and potatoes.

Complementary herbs: ginger, cayenne, cumin, lemon, chamomile

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil, coconut oil

Dill is loved for its bright, subtly sweet flavor and complements salmon, yoghurt, cucumbers and carrots.

Complementary herbs: mustard, pepper, allspice, bay, mace, cinnamon, ginger, parsley, cloves.

Best oils to cook with: canola oil, safflower oil
All this herb talk has us excited for gardening season! But until then, look to your local farmers to get the freshest selections. Happy cooking!