13 Genius Ways To Use Your Summer Herbs

Did you know that herbs have magical powers? Many have claimed their healing properties for centuries, and herbs’ functional uses are endless: lavender for relaxation, fennel for digestion, and so on. Most importantly, they make food taste really dang good and in my opinion, are the “cleanest” way to add loads of flavor to any dish.

Since it’s the season for an abundance of herbs growing in your garden (or in your supermarket basket) we thought it was perfect timing to round up our favorite unexpected ways to use these beauties.

Cucumber basil sparkling lemonade, anyone? Keep scrolling, and I’d love to hear in the comments about your favorite ways to use herbs in the summertime.

image via ikea

Put a savory twist on dessert.

Try these recipes:

Layered strawberry mint cake with whipped cream filling

Affogato with olive oil ice cream & rosemary biscotti

Ricotta blackberry shortcakes with honey & thyme

Make lemonade.

Try these recipes:

Ginger mint lemonade

Strawberry basil lemonade

Maple lemonade with peaches & thyme

Cucumber basil sparkling lemonade

DIY your skin care.

Try these recipes:

Rosewater & pink clay soap

Lavender bath bombs

Rosemary & lemon salt scrub

Infuse your sea salt.

Try these recipes:

Herbs de Provence sea salt

Salt with sage & rosemary

Basil sea salt

Be a mixologist with herb-infused cocktails.

Try these recipes:

Peach, ginger, & mint slushie

Grapefruit & mint mojito

Strawberry mint tea spritzer

Pear, rosemary, & lemongrass cocktail

Rhubarb, grapefruit, & thyme cocktail

Try a new spin on pesto.

Try these recipes:

Spinach basil pesto

Walnut-sage pesto pasta

Parsley lemon pesto

Dress up your kitchen counter.

Forage herbs from your backyard garden and place on your counter in lieu of a floral bouquet. Trim the ends, place in a jar with about an inch of water, and set out at room temperature (no refrigeration needed). These beauties will stay fresh for about a week.

Make your own herbal tea.

Try these recipes:

Peppermint, chamomile, & jasmine tea

Floral mint loose leaf tea

Lavender & chamomile “sleepy time” tea

Take your ice cream to the next level.

Try these recipes:

Cilantro, lemongrass, & honey green ice cream

Matcha mint chip ice cream

Wild blueberry lavender coconut ice cream

Rosemary honey walnut ice cream

Coconut ice cream with pineapple sage & crushed pistachios

Put a new spin on a grilled cheese.

Try these recipes:

Sweet potato, rosemary, & kale grilled cheese

Almond-sage pesto grilled cheese with gruyere

Thyme roasted mushroom grilled cheese

Apple rosemary havarti grilled cheese

Spice up your smoothies.

Try these recipes:

Cocoa green smoothie

Apple, mint, & ginger green smoothie

Strawberry basil smoothie

Mint chocolate chip cauliflower smoothie bowl

Add major flavor to salads.

Try these recipes:

Lemony herb-loaded chopped Greek salad

Cumin chickpea salad with mint chutney

Asian sesame chicken salad

Mexicali chopped salad with creamy cilantro lime dressing

Concoct your own herb butter.

Try these recipes:

Garlic herb butter

Smoked paprika & rosemary butter

Lemon herb compound butter