Summer gardens are bursting with fresh herbs, and there’s no better way to put them to good use than with some amazing herb-forward recipes. Forget the usual suspects and jump into these dishes that make the most of your garden’s bounty. From light and refreshing salads to hearty mains, these recipes are packed with flavor and perfect for summer.
Lentil Tabbouleh
This light and refreshing lentil tabbouleh is a satisfying variation of the traditional dish. Featuring fresh tomatoes, herbs, lemon, and spices, it’s a great way to use up an abundant summer herb garden.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Tabbouleh
Feta Beet Salad
Cooked beets, crumbled feta, and pistachios combine with fresh herbs and a lemon olive oil dressing for a beet salad that impresses. Perfect as a side salad or light meal, this dish makes excellent use of fresh garden herbs.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad
Herb & Garlic Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
This easy Oven Roasted Turkey Breast is coated with fresh herbs and garlic, ensuring a juicy and flavorful dish. It’s a great make-ahead option that highlights your summer herb garden.
Get the Recipe: Herb & Garlic Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Thai Larb Gai
Larb Gai, a savory Thai dish with minced chicken, lime juice, fish sauce, chili flakes, mint, and cilantro, is tangy and spicy. Served with Thai sticky rice or romaine lettuce, it’s a refreshing summer meal packed with herbs.
Get the Recipe: Thai Larb Gai
Rosemary and Cinnamon Balsamic Glazed Beets
These glazed beets combine the earthy flavors of rosemary with a touch of warmth from cinnamon, making them a delectable addition to any meal. Perfect for using fresh rosemary from your garden.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary and Cinnamon Balsamic Glazed Beets
Grilled Baby Potatoes on Skewers
This recipe for Grilled Baby Potatoes on Skewers is a simple yet flavorful side dish for BBQs and summer gatherings. Fresh herbs make it a standout.
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Lemon Basil Pasta
Thin angel hair noodles paired with a creamy white wine sauce, fresh basil, and golden chicken cubes. Finished with Parmesan cheese, this lemon basil pasta is ready in less than 30 minutes and uses garden-fresh basil.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Basil Pasta (With Chicken)
Blackberry Thyme Ice Cream
Blackberry Thyme Ice Cream combines sweet blackberries with earthy thyme for a unique frozen treat. A swirl of blackberry sauce makes this dessert perfect for showcasing summer herbs.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Thyme Ice Cream
Rosemary Roasted Chicken
This rosemary roasted chicken recipe is one of the easiest ways to prepare chicken and potatoes with minimal effort, making good use of fresh rosemary.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Roasted Chicken
Herbed Potato Salad
A herbed potato salad with preserved lemon and mustard dressing, perfect for summer picnics. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, this salad makes excellent use of garden herbs.
Get the Recipe: Herbed Potato Salad (No Mayo, No Egg)
Kuku Sabzi (Persian Herb Frittata)
Kuku sabzi is a classic Persian herb frittata loaded with fresh herbs and greens, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch. Serve it warm, cold, or at room temperature to showcase your garden’s bounty.
Get the Recipe: Kuku Sabzi (Persian Herb Frittata)
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Fresh herbs make these Marinated Mozzarella Balls incredibly flavorful. Serve with a cheeseboard, charcuterie, or Antipasto platter, paired with summer tomatoes or in salads.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls
Vietnamese noodle bowls packed with vermicelli, veggies, herbs, and lemongrass chicken. This dish makes great use of fresh summer herbs and is a vibrant addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls
Greek-style Roast Chicken With Garlic, Lemon & Herbs
Greek Roasted Lemon Garlic Chicken, perfect for a weekend dinner, can be made with various chicken cuts. The Greek marinade, with fresh herbs and lemon, works well for a flavorful summer dish.
Get the Recipe: Greek-style Roast Chicken With Garlic, Lemon & Herbs
Naan Bread
These vegan naans are delicious yeasted flatbreads cooked in a cast-iron pan and brushed with garlic and herb butter. Perfect for using garden-fresh herbs in a simple, homemade bread.
Get the Recipe: Naan Bread
Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
The combination of cream, citrus, fresh herbs, and savory chicken thighs in this recipe makes it simple yet gourmet. Ready in 30 minutes, it highlights fresh dill and lemon for a vibrant summer dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
Za’atar Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
This za’atar roasted chicken with sumac, lemon, and herbs is an easy meal with tons of flavor. The za’atar seasoning and lemon complement the chicken perfectly, making it an excellent choice for showcasing your herb garden.
Get the Recipe: Za’atar Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
Thai Basil Eggplant
This Thai Basil Eggplant recipe features tender eggplants stir-fried with aromatic garlic and basil, vibrant peppers, and Bird’s eye chilies. A great way to enjoy the flavors of Thai cuisine with fresh basil.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Eggplant
Rosemary Almond Apple Galette
This Rosemary Almond Apple Galette is a rustic pastry filled with homemade almond paste, apples, and rosemary sugar. Perfect for using fresh rosemary in a delightful dessert.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Almond Apple Galette
Sage Cookies with Cranberry Buttercream
Sage Cookies with Cranberry Buttercream are an unexpected treat, combining sage sugar cookies with cranberry buttercream for a standout flavor combination. Great for using fresh sage from your garden.
Get the Recipe: Sage Cookies with Cranberry Buttercream
Red Brussels Sprouts and Zhoug Sauce
Roasted red Brussels sprouts paired with zhoug sauce make a perfect side dish for the cooler months. The zhoug sauce, with its warm spices, showcases fresh herbs beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Red Brussels Sprouts and Zhoug Sauce
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.