How to Add Herbs to Your Holiday Dinner

It is pretty widely agreed that herbs, fresh or dried, can take a meal to new heights of deliciousness.  Whether you are picking straight from the garden or raiding your herb and spice cabinet, a carefully chosen herbal seasoning will do wonders.

Lots of herbs are associated with different seasons and flavors.  Think of summer salads with freshly picked basil, or pulling sprigs of dill from the garden ready to accompany your pickled cucumbers.

The winter holidays, too, bring nostalgic aromas of sage, rosemary, and thyme.  There are lots of ways to incorporate herbs into your holiday meal and not just for the savory potions, either.

So, when planning your holiday feast this year, don’t miss out on getting all herby with each and every course.

Peppermint

source: Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Patties/One Green Planet

With the holidays come the images of sweet minty candy canes, peppermint bark, and patties.  Peppermint, however, is much more versatile than that.

Peppermint is incredibly refreshing and actually works well with savory dishes, too.   Mint sauce is commonly served with roast dinners in the UK.  You could try making your own mint sauce and spooning it into your potatoes or nut loaf for a fun flavor combination.

Also, don’t forget that mint goes really well with your after-dinner cocktail, like in this minty mojito.  Not to mention, sprigs of peppermint look very festive poking into the whipped cream atop your big mug of hot chocolate.

Rosemary

source: Parsnips With Rosemary ‘Butter’ and Walnuts/One Green Planet

Few holiday dinners are made without the inclusion of rosemary somewhere in the mix.  It must be because rosemary, with its familiar aromatic aroma and flavor, goes beautifully with veggies.

When roasting a tray of root vegetables this holiday, whether it’s parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, or potatoes, don’t leave out sprigs of fresh rosemary.   You could also make some bread for the meal that is seasoned with rosemary, or add it to your mashed potatoes—white or sweet!

Rosemary can also play a staring flavor role in your nut roast or homemade stuffing.  Oh, and don’t forget dessert.  These Lemon Rosemary Cookies will be a welcomed after-dinner herby treat.

Lavender

Source: Lavender Truffles/One Green Planet

Though lavender might not be the first herb you think of when you imagine a holiday dinner, perhaps think again.  If you are looking to make something a little different this year, try involving the beautifully aromatic and florally flavorful herb.

Lavender works very well in a number of different desserts for its flavor and appearance.  These Lavender Truffles look absolutely gorgeous and would be perfect to share at a holiday party.  It also tastes very decadent infused into a mug of hot chocolate.

Sage

source: Show Stopper Mushroom and Sage Stuffing/One Green Planet

Not unlike its friend, rosemary, sage is a smell certain to be wafting from kitchens this time of year.  Sage is a staple in the obligatory and welcomed holiday stuffing, as well as adding the perfect savory tones to the gravy boat.

It may not come as a surprise at this point that sage also works really well in sweet dishes like this Butternut Squash and Apple Galette with Sage.  You can also add it to corn muffins that you can serve with the main meal.

Sage leaves are also delicious in tea. You can add a couple of leaves to your favorite black tea blend or make one of these Sage and Black Tea Lattes for a cozy after-dinner drink.

Parsley

source: Mini Garlicky Hasselback Potatoes/One Green Planet

Here is another one that might not be the first herb to come to mind for the holiday dinner.  Parsley is often overlooked as a simple garnish but can actually help transform a dish with its bright fresh flavor.

Try adding parsley to your roast potatoes like with these Mini Garlicky Hasselback Potatoes.  You can also add fresh parsley to your vegetable side dishes.  Check out these Blistered Green Beans with Preserved Lemon and Parsley.

Thyme

source: Parsnip and Thyme Grain-Free Crackers/One Green Planet

This delicate and sweet little herb can pack a flavorful punch in both sweet and savory dishes.  When making your stuffing, or roasting your veg, consider adding fresh or dried thyme for an extra earthy and lemony flavor.

It might also be fun to make some homemade, thyme-flavored crackers to have with some vegan thyme cream cheese for your fourth course! How about serving your cheese plate with some Thyme-Scented Roasted Grapes for something a little different.

Then, if by some chance there is room for dessert, you could try sharing these Chocolate Almond and Thyme Tarts.  You could also, combine thyme with the festive flavor of oranges with this Blood Orange and Thyme Cake for a sweet and savory treat.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Unfortunately, dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects. 

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend purchasing one of our many plant-based cookbooks or downloading the Food Monster App which has thousands of delicious recipes making it the largest vegan recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!