Skip to main content

Using Mints in Culinary and Herbal Preparations


In many regions, mints are some of the easiest plants to grow.  Even if kept in a container like we recommend in our Growing Mints article, mints like peppermint and spearmint may grow and spread quickly.  This results in more frequent harvests.


This is definitely in the "good problem" category for most of us.  But after running through your favorite mint recipes a few times, you may want to try something new.  What else can you do with mint?


In this article, we'll discuss...


Let's get right into it!


Does It Matter Which Type of Mint I Use?

The main mints are peppermintspearmint, and water mint.  Of these, peppermint and spearmint are the most common.


Other mints are usually varieties of these 3 main species.  For example, chocolate mint and strawberry mint are varieties of peppermint that bear their namesake scents.


Each mint has a distinct flavorPeppermint tends to have a sharper flavor, while spearmint's flavor is more subtle.


If you are using herbal preparations for health-supportive reasons, be aware that different mints have different constituents, herbal properties, and nutrient composition.  There may be some overlap, but each type has at least some unique traits.  For example, both peppermint and spearmint support the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems.  But spearmint has an affinity for the urinary and integumentary systems, while peppermint is an especially effective carminative and body temperature regulator.


Any mint can be used in the recipes we share in this article.  Just be aware of the above differences.


Using Mints in Culinary Preparations

Mints can be used in a number of culinary preparations.  Culinary preparations are edible dishes that are cooked, baked, or otherwise combined with other ingredients to be eaten.


Here are a few of my favorite ways to cook with mints:


  • Add them to salads.  Mint leaves make a delicious addition to a variety of salads.  They can be used as Decor in an Interesting Salad.  They also go well in a number of Simple Salads and everything in between.  See the individual mint type's simple uses page for inspiration.


  • Add them to your stirfry or sauté dish.  I often recommend sautéing leafy greens with an allium and a lemony ingredient like lemon juice, lemon balm, or lemon verbena.  But mints can be substituted for the lemon ingredient in this combination for a completely different, equally delicious flavor.  So, for example, you might choose to sauté spinach, leeks, and a mint after your next harvest.

  • Add them to soups.  Mints tend to complement cucurbits especially well in soups.  But they can work with a variety of produce.

  • Add them to dips.  Mints make a great addition to yogurt-based dips like tzatziki.  They can be thrown in with other dips as well for a fresh kick.

  • Stir them in with yogurt.

  • Substitute them for basil in your next pesto.  Naturally they don't mimic the flavor of basil, but mints work wonderfully in their own way with the other components.  This is true whether you use the otherwise traditional ingredients of pine nuts and parmesan or different ingredients in an extra creative pesto.  Search our site for "pesto" for inspiration.

  • Add them to salsas for a uniquely positive flavor.


  • Add them to smoothies for an extra refreshing boost.

  • Make infused water with mint and fruit.  Most mints work well with most fruits, but cherries and berries make especially yummy complements to them.

  • Make ice cubes.  See our Freezing Overview for instructions for making mint ice cubes.



Using Mints in Herbal Preparations

Herbal preparations allow you to reap the benefits of mints' constituents through things like teas, tinctures, and lotions.  See our Herbal Preparations overview here for more information.


See our Using Herbs article for safety info as well as some recommendations for books that include peppermint and spearmint monographs.


Here are a few of my favorite herbal preparations using mints:





  • Add them to tea blends.  Not only do mints add herbal properties, such as their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but they also add a powerful, pleasant flavor.  This flavor can complement other tasty herbs.  It can also balance out bitterness and other less-scrumptious flavors in other plants.  As noted above, peppermint's flavor is stronger than spearmint's flavor, but all mints can be positive additions to a blend.  Mints make great additions to most infusion blends, but here are a few ideas to get your creative wheels turning.  Combine any mint with the following:



  • Make infused vinegar.  Mint-infused vinegar can be a great salad dressing or dressing base.  Most mints are high in vitamins A and C, iron, and other important nutrients.  Vinegars are one of the best ways to preserve water-soluble vitamins and minerals like these.

  • Make infused oil.

  • Make herbal lotions, lip balms, and body balms.  Mints' soothing effects are not limited to internal use.  They are also great skin-supporters.  Lotions and balms are made from mint-infused oil along with secondary ingredients like beeswax.  Future Plant to Plate articles will consider these preparations in more depth.

  • Make an herbal steam.  This is similar to the process for making a decoction, but the pot is uncovered while boiling.  Steam is breathed in so that it reaches and supports the lungs directly.

  • Make herbal honey.  Herbal honey makes a great topping for toast, bagels, and hot cereals.

  • Make herbal candy.  Mint candies are made with a mint and sugar or honey.


Read More

Check out other mint-specific articles here:


Learn how to preserve your mint here:


And learn more ways to prepare your food and herbs in these articles:

Get your free garden planner!

Get the Plan Ahead! Printable Garden Planner (normally $10) absolutely FREE with email signup. You'll also get our latest content and updates sent directly to your inbox for FREE. Plan your next garden better!

    We respect your privacy. We won't sell your data or send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.



    Popular posts from this blog

    Growing Marshmallow: Quick Facts

    Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, marshmallow is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing marshmallow. Jump to: Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | When to Harvest | Ingestibility | Further Reading What  Family  Does Marshmallow Belong To? Marshmallow ( Althea officinalis ) belongs to the Malvaceae family , also known as the mallow family . Some of its relatives include okra, hollyhock, and cacao. What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Marshmallow? The minimum container size recommended for marshmallow is 5 gallons. A 5-gallon bucket or container is usually about 12 inches deep.  But the capacity of the container is important because marshmallow needs to spread out in all directions, not just vert...

    Growing Toothache Plants: Quick Facts

    Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, toothache plants are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family.  Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing toothache plants. This plant is known by a few other common names as well, including spilanthes, electric daisy, buzz buttons, saladcress, jambu, and eyeball plant, among others.  Many of these names were inspired by its rapid numbing action.  See the  Ingestibility  section below for more information. Jump to: Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading What Family Do Toothache Plants Belong To? Toothache plants ( Spilanthes acmella ) belong to the Asteraceae family , also known as the daisy family . Some of their relatives include feverfew , sunflowers ,...

    Growing Marigolds: Quick Facts

    Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, marigolds are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family.  Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing marigolds. Jump to: Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading What Family Do Marigolds Belong To? Marigolds ( Tagetes spp. ) belong to the Asteraceae family , also known as the daisy family . Some of their relatives include lettuce , gaillardia , and chamomile . What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Marigolds? The minimum container depth recommended for marigolds depends on the type and variety. For French marigolds, the minimum depth is 6 inches. For Mexican and African marigolds, the minimum depth is 10 inches. Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Con...