The Skinny on Herbs

Basil
With its large, emerald-green leaves, basil is the classic Italian herb (it’s the main ingredient in pesto), and varieties are also used in Thai cuisine. When raw, the flavor can be quite strong, but it doesn’t hold up well against prolonged heat — so add basil near the end of cooking time. It’s abundant in summer, so if you’d like a stash to use year-round, mix finely chopped leaves with a bit of water and freeze in ice cube trays. Pop them out when frozen, and store in the freezer in an airtight container.

Chives
Chives are related to onions and leeks — no surprise, given their oniony aroma and flavor. Snip them (yes, with scissors) into salads or on top of baked potatoes, or add toward the end of cooking time to brighten soups and sauces.

Cilantro
Most people either love or hate this pale-green, lacy herb — some studies suggest that the preference is genetic — but there’s no denying its global popularity. Cilantro is used in the cuisines of Asia, Latin America, Portugal and the Caribbean. It looks similar to flat-leaf parsley; so similar, in fact, that the easiest way to tell the difference is to rub a few leaves and take a sniff.

Dill
Dill’s look — deep-green, feathery fronds — is as distinctive as its taste. It’s popular in Eastern European foods (think borscht or gravlax) and is also a classic component of cucumber salad. Dried dill is a pale substitute, so we strongly recommend you only use it fresh.

Marjoram
You won’t find marjoram in every store, but when you do, it’s well worth trying. Its small, oval leaves are often confused with its cousin oregano’s, but the flavors are quite different — marjoram is sweeter, milder and more delicate. It pairs well with meats and vegetables and is commonly used in the dried mixture herbes de Provence.

Mint
You’ve had breath mints or chewing gum, but flavorings pale in comparison to the brightness of the fresh version. There are dozens of varieties of mint, but most often, you’ll find peppermint, with bright green leaves, purple stems and a pungent, peppery flavor, or spearmint, with silvery-green leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. Spearmint is often used in savory cooking, while peppermint does well as a garnish or with sweets.

Oregano
In looks it’s similar to marjoram (some even call it “wild marjoram”) but in taste, it’s miles apart. Oregano has a deep, peppery aroma and a pungent, assertive flavor — so assertive, in fact, that we recommend using a light hand when cooking with it. Although it appears in many Greek, Italian and Latin American dishes, you probably know oregano best from its use in pizza sauce. Note: Mexican oregano is a different herb with a similar, but stronger, taste. It’s most often found dried.

Parsley
In the United States, parsley is ubiquitous, thanks to the curly variety’s overuse as a garnish. But don’t skip it just because it’s everywhere — both flat-leaf and curly parsley add zip to savory dishes all over the world. Curly parsley has a crisp, snappy texture and a bright taste, well-suited to last-minute additions and salads, while flat-leaf offers a bit more complexity and holds up well in long-simmered dishes.

Rosemary
Thanks to rosemary’s woodsy needles and piney scent, you may think it fell off a Christmas tree, but in fact, rosemary is a wonderfully versatile herb. It’s used throughout the Mediterranean, where it’s often paired with chicken and lamb, eggplant and tomatoes, and it’s a terrific complement to roasted potatoes. Two words of caution: First, rosemary’s flavor is aggressive enough to be overwhelming, so use it sparingly. And second, even after cooking, the needles are unpleasant to eat, so either use a whole sprig and fish it out before serving, or strip off the needles and chop them finely.

Sage
Lovely to look at, with long, velvety, gray-green leaves, sage adds an earthy flavor to meats and vegetables. The taste may be familiar, since it’s a key ingredient in Thanksgiving stuffing and many sausages. Try it with sweeter vegetables, like carrots or sweet potatoes, or in chicken, pork, or bean dishes. For an impressive, tasty garnish, flash-fry individual leaves in a bit of olive oil. They’ll darken and crisp up in seconds — drain on paper towels, then crumble or leave whole.

Tarragon
Almost bushy-looking thanks to its long, slender leaves, tarragon has a gentle but distinct licorice flavor. It’s the secret of many French dishes and a key component of the mixture fines herbes. We like it best in chicken, fish and egg dishes. Tarragon loses most of its flavor when dried, so use fresh whenever possible.