Fresh herbs are a fantastic way to boost flavor in your meals, but they don’t last forever. If you find yourself with a bunch of herbs nearing their end, these recipes are a great solution. They turn those fresh herbs into delicious dishes that make the most of their vibrant flavors. Whether you're cooking for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these ideas are perfect for using up your herbs before they go bad.
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
This spaghetti squash lasagna is ready in 45 minutes and features layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and aromatic herbs. It's a meatless meal that incorporates fresh herbs, making it a great choice for using them up while they're still vibrant.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
Leek and Mushroom Pasta
A one-pot, light and creamy leek and mushroom pasta with fresh herbs, ricotta, and parmesan. Ready in 40 minutes, it's a convenient weeknight dinner that puts those fresh herbs to good use before they lose their freshness.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Mushroom Pasta
Trenette al Pesto
Trenette al Pesto, a classic from Liguria, combines basil pesto with potatoes and green beans. This hearty pasta dish is quick to prepare and makes excellent use of fresh basil and other herbs.
Get the Recipe: Trenette al Pesto
Easy Mushroom Wellington
This vegan mushroom Wellington features a savory mushroom filling and aromatic herbs wrapped in flaky pastry. The herbs play a starring role, adding depth to the plant-based option and helping you use them up before they go bad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mushroom Wellington
Chicken Kathi Rolls
Chicken kathi rolls, a popular Indian street food, feature marinated chicken wrapped in soft roti with chutney, red onions, and fresh herbs. The herbs bring brightness to the dish and make this a delicious way to prevent waste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Kathi Rolls
Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
This chopped winter salad includes crispy chicken, bright citrus, pine nuts, and fresh herbs. Tossed in a light dressing, the herbs are key to making this salad flavorful while helping you use them up efficiently.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
Mediterranean Rice
Packed with onions, peppers, fresh herbs, and lemon, this easy rice side dish comes together in one pot. It's a great way to make a flavorful side and incorporate herbs before they wilt.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Rice
Savory French Toast with Herbs & Avocado
Savory French toast swaps the usual sugar for herb-infused flavors and is topped with fried eggs. A hearty breakfast option that uses fresh herbs for an unexpected twist, giving them purpose before they lose their freshness.
Get the Recipe: Savory French Toast with Herbs & Avocado
Best Roasted Potato Salad
Roasted potato salad features fresh herbs, pistachios, and a homemade dressing. This side dish highlights the use of fresh herbs to enhance its vibrant flavors while helping you avoid waste.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad
Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Enjoy the balance of sweet and savory flavors in this Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini. Crispy baguette slices are topped with creamy goat cheese and herbed roasted tomatoes, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. This appetizer is a great way to make use of herbs before they lose their freshness.
Get the Recipe: Classic Roasted Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta
Quinoa Salad
With quinoa, cucumbers, chickpeas, and fresh herbs, this salad offers a hearty, filling option. The herbs bring fresh flavors to the dish, making this a practical way to enjoy them while they're still fresh.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad
Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs
A simple potato salad made without mayo and tossed in a flavorful herb dressing. It's an easy dish that makes great use of fresh herbs, adding brightness to the salad.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs
Avocado Egg Salad
Greek yogurt, lemon juice, avocado, and fresh herbs come together to create this egg salad with a twist. A great alternative to the classic, the fresh herbs ensure the flavors stay bright while giving them a role before they go unused.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Egg Salad
Greek Spaghetti
A quick pasta dish with tomatoes, artichokes, spinach, feta, and plenty of fresh herbs. This simple meal transforms basic ingredients into something impressive while using fresh herbs to their full potential.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti
Tabbouleh Salad with Feta
Bulgur, feta, and fresh herbs combine to create this vibrant salad. It's a great way to use fresh herbs before they lose their flavor, adding a burst of freshness to the dish.
Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad with Feta
Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
This quinoa salad is packed with cranberries, pecans, and fresh herbs, perfect for fall or any gathering. The herbs play a key role in adding flavor, ensuring they're used before they start wilting.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
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 gives fresh herbs a prominent role, helping you use them before they expire.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
A simple lemon herb vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. It's a versatile dressing that puts fresh herbs to good use, helping them shine while they're still fresh.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Garlic chicken bites are cooked with mushrooms, onions, red peppers, and fresh herbs in a single pan. This 20-minute dinner is a great way to incorporate fresh herbs before they wilt, adding flavor to the dish.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Creamy Vegan Garlic & Herb Pasta
A creamy aioli made with fresh basil, dill, and parsley, this vegan option is packed with herb flavors. It's an easy way to prevent fresh herbs from going bad while adding a flavorful dip or spread to your meals.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Garlic & Herb Pasta
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Grilled chicken kofta kebabs are mixed with fresh herbs and grilled to perfection. This recipe is a flavorful way to use herbs while they're fresh, giving the dish a bright and aromatic quality.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Feta Beet Salad
A beet salad with feta cheese, pistachios, and fresh herbs, all brought together with a lemon olive oil dressing. The herbs add brightness to the dish, ensuring they're used while still vibrant.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad
Herbed Orange Harissa Chickpeas
Harissa chickpeas, spiced with orange and fresh herbs, make a quick side dish bursting with flavor. The fresh herbs elevate the dish, adding a burst of brightness and using them up before they go bad.
Get the Recipe: Herbed Orange Harissa Chickpeas
Moroccan pearl couscous salad
Israeli couscous, feta, pumpkin, peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs combine in this vibrant Moroccan-style salad. The herbs complement the rich ingredients, helping to ensure they're used up while still fresh.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan pearl couscous salad
Lamb Kofta Kebabs
Ground lamb is mixed with cilantro, mint, and other fresh herbs, then grilled for lamb kofta kebabs. It's a flavorful dish where fresh herbs are essential, providing an excellent opportunity to use them before they lose their potency.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs
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