22 Dinners That Use Up All Your Fresh Summer Herbs Before They Wilt

Fresh summer herbs bring a burst of flavor and fragrance to any meal, and they’re too good to let go to waste. These recipes are all about keeping things simple but still packing in tons of freshness and aroma. Whether you're looking to make something light or hearty, these dishes make great use of those herbs before they wilt. Think bright, vibrant meals that are perfect for summer, easy to put together, and taste incredible. Let’s put those herbs to good use while they’re still at their best!

An image of Herbed Orange Harissa Chickpeas with fresh herbs on the background. — Herbed Orange Harissa Chickpeas. Photo Credit: MOON and spoon and yum

Leek and Mushroom Pasta

An overhead image of cooked leek mushroom pasta in a pan. — Leek and Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A one-pot pasta featuring leeks, mushrooms, fresh herbs, ricotta, and parmesan. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a practical weeknight meal that effectively uses up fresh herbs before they lose their freshness.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Mushroom Pasta

Trenette al Pesto

Trenette al Pesto combines basil pesto with potatoes and green beans. This classic Ligurian dish is a great way to incorporate fresh basil and other herbs, keeping them vibrant before they wilt.
Get the Recipe: Trenette al Pesto

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic chicken bites with peppers and mushrooms in a skillet. — Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Garlic chicken bites cooked with mushrooms, onions, red peppers, and fresh herbs in a single pan. This 20-minute dinner is a practical way to incorporate fresh herbs before they lose their potency.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Herbed Orange Harissa Chickpeas

Harissa chickpeas spiced with orange and fresh herbs create a quick side dish bursting with flavor. The fresh herbs add brightness, helping to use them before they expire.
Get the Recipe: Herbed Orange Harissa Chickpeas

Feta Beet Salad

Beet salad with crumbled feta, pistachios and fresh herbs on a plate with serving spoon. — Feta Beet Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A beet salad with feta cheese, pistachios, and fresh herbs, all dressed with lemon olive oil. The herbs brighten the dish, making it a great way to utilize them while still fresh.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad

Best Roasted Potato Salad

Roasted potato salad includes fresh herbs, pistachios, and a homemade dressing. This side dish highlights fresh herbs, enhancing its flavor before they wilt.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Israeli couscous, feta, pumpkin, peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs combine in this Moroccan-style salad. The herbs complement the rich ingredients, aiding in their use while still fresh.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Roasted Herbes de Provence Chicken

Herbes de Provence roasted chicken features crispy skin and tender meat seasoned with aromatic herbs. Roasted with garlic and lemon, this dish provides an easy way to utilize fresh herbs.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Herbes de Provence Chicken

Greek Spaghetti

A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, feta and kalamata olives. — Greek Spaghetti. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A quick pasta dish with tomatoes, artichokes, spinach, feta, and plenty of fresh herbs. This meal transforms basic ingredients into something impressive while making full use of fresh herbs.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean cucumber salad includes cucumbers, olives, onions, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a homemade dressing. It’s a refreshing side that prominently features fresh herbs, helping to use them up.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean Rice

Packed with onions, peppers, fresh herbs, and lemon, this easy rice side dish comes together in one pot. It’s a practical way to incorporate herbs while they’re still fresh and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Rice

Herb-Crusted Chicken (Texas Roadhouse Copycat)

Herb-crusted Texas Roadhouse chicken is seasoned with dried herbs and black pepper. This quick recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, effectively utilizing fresh herbs.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken (Texas Roadhouse Copycat)

Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs

A simple potato salad made without mayo, tossed in a flavorful herb dressing. This easy dish makes excellent use of fresh herbs, adding brightness to the salad.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs

Chicken Kathi Rolls

Chicken kathi rolls feature marinated chicken wrapped in soft roti with chutney, red onions, and fresh herbs. The herbs add brightness, helping to use them up before they go to waste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Kathi Rolls

Avocado Egg Salad

Greek yogurt, lemon juice, avocado, and fresh herbs come together for this egg salad with a twist. The fresh herbs ensure the flavors remain bright and help use them before they go unused.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Egg Salad

Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Roasted tomatoes atop toasted bread rounds with feta cheese. — Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Enjoy a balance of sweet and savory in this Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini. Crispy baguette slices topped with creamy goat cheese and herbed roasted tomatoes make great use of fresh herbs.
Get the Recipe: Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad

A shallow white bowl with orzo, shrimp, sliced cucumbers, and feta cheese. — Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This simple pasta salad features plump shrimp, fresh herbs, cucumber, salty feta cheese, and orzo pasta. It’s a quick and easy meal that effectively utilizes fresh herbs.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Chicken skewers on skewers with lemon wedges. — Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Grilled chicken kofta kebabs mixed with fresh herbs and grilled to perfection. This recipe offers a flavorful way to use herbs while they’re fresh, giving the dish a bright, aromatic quality.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A dinner plate filled with pan fried chicken, rice, and gravy. — Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Crispy chicken with herbed Carolina Gold rice and scratch pan gravy offers a comforting meal with golden brown cutlets and a savory herb-infused gravy. It brings fresh herbs into the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Chopped crispy chicken citrus salad on a white plate with purple kitchen towel. — Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This chopped winter salad includes crispy chicken, bright citrus, pine nuts, and fresh herbs. The herbs play a key role in enhancing flavor, making it a great option for using them before they wilt.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Tabbouleh Salad with Feta

Bulgur, feta, and fresh herbs come together in this vibrant salad. It effectively uses fresh herbs before they lose their flavor, adding a burst of freshness to the mix.
Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad with Feta

Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Ground lamb mixed with cilantro, mint, and other fresh herbs, then grilled for lamb kofta kebabs. It’s a flavorful dish where fresh herbs are essential, offering a chance to use them before they wilt.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs