There's no denying it—the season for outdoor grilling is upon us!
The mere thought of those rich, juicy smells wafting through the air is enough to ignite your appetite and transport you to summertime festivities of years past.
Get ready to embark on a flavor-filled journey like no other!
Want to take your grilling game to the next level?
Look no further than the power of fresh herbs.
Not only do they add incredible flavor without relying on excessive salt or sugar, but they also unleash a whole new world of taste possibilities that might have seemed unimaginable with dried versions alone.
Add The Herbs To The Coals First
Here's the secret: before placing your food on the hot coals, sprinkle a handful of Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, or even a tantalizing combination of herbs onto the fiery embers.
The moment the food hits the grill and you close the lid, the herbs will work their magic.
As they mingle with the smoke, they'll impart their aromatic essential oils to the food, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds in awe.
Consider the wonders of lavender, for example.
Lavender is perfect for enhancing the flavors of fish and poultry, its essential oil offers more than just a culinary delight, it also offers a touch of relaxation as the hot coals release that soothing lavender scent into the air.
When To Add Fresh Herbs To The Food
Timing is the key when it comes to incorporating fresh herbs into your grilled dishes.
When it comes to grilling corn on the cob and potatoes, the secret to achieving maximum flavor is to add the fresh herbs right from the beginning.
As soon as you place the corn and potatoes on the grill, generously sprinkle them with your chosen herbs.
The heat from the grill will awaken the aromatic oils present in the herbs, infusing the vegetables with a tantalizing blend of flavors.
The result?
Each juicy kernel of corn and every tender bite of potato will be bursting with herb-infused goodness from the very first mouthful.
The combination of heat and time allows the herbs to release their essence gradually, ensuring that the flavors penetrate deeply into the corn and potatoes.
As they cook, the herbs intermingle with the natural sweetness of the corn and the earthy richness of the potatoes, creating a harmonious marriage of tastes that will make your grilled side dishes truly outstanding.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a succulent ear of corn, its kernels bursting with the herbal notes of fresh rosemary or thyme.
Picture indulging in a perfectly grilled potato, its crispy exterior giving way to a soft, fluffy interior laced with the aromatic essence of basil or oregano.
With the herbs added from the very beginning, your corn and potatoes will elevate to a whole new level of deliciousness, enchanting your taste buds with every delightful bite.
When To Add Herbs To Fish Or Poultry
When it comes to fish or poultry, try adding the fresh herbs the last 15 to 20 minutes.
But wait, there's more!
Let's talk about herb butter and marinades—a true game-changer for your grilling escapades.
By blending fresh herbs into butter or marinade recipes, you can effortlessly infuse your meals with an extra punch of flavor.
Say goodbye to the hassle of picking herbs as you grill and let the pre-prepared herb concoctions take your culinary creations to new heights.
This is a great way to incorporate some extra flavor into your meal without having to pick the fresh herbs as you are grilling.
Grilling Garden Fresh Vegetables
Vegetables are also an important part of our daily diet and delicious when cooked on the grill.
Along with providing essential nutrients to our system, they are delicious and refreshing.
The summer months give us the best opportunity to experience fresh produce in addition to the fresh herbs.
If you're able to grow your own vegetables, you can easily grill the majority of them on the grill without issue.
As long as you clean them well, you won't have to do too much else to prep and prepare them.
Tips For Cleaning Vegetables Before Grilling Them
If you cannot grow your own, be sure to carefully wash the produce you buy with soapy water, then soak them for 15 minutes in a sink of warm water with one cup white vinegar added to it so that no unwanted residues remain.
The exception to this rule is herbs.
They should not be washed, just quickly rinsed under cold water so that the essential oils don’t rinse away.
So, get fired up and discover the art of outdoor grilling with fresh herbs.
Enhance your dishes, captivate your taste buds, and impress your guests.
Embrace the herb-infused revolution, and savor the unforgettable flavors that await you on the grill!
Combining Herbs And Vegetables For Recipes
Just add a few leaves of basil to your tomatoes and prepare the recipe as you normally would.
Combining them during preparation allows the basil oils to flavor the tomatoes without much additional work on your part and after all the summer months are meant for relaxation.
So, as you can see the possibilities for grilling and using herbs are endless.
There is an abundance of recipes out there for cooking with herbs and fresh produce on the grill.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get out there and let the smells of fresh herbs and produce on the grill take over your neighborhood and help you relax after a long day.
How To Make Herb Butter
The easiest way I have found to do this is to pick fresh herbs in the morning and dry them.
I usually put them in the oven at about 350 degrees until they are dry, however other methods such as hanging them or using a dehydrator or microwave will work.
Once they are dry, the next step is to make the herb butter.
I add about two tablespoons of butter to a bowl and sprinkle approximately one teaspoon of dried herbs on top of that.
I then use my electric mixer to whip the butter and herbs together.
You can do this by hand if you prefer.
Also, feel free to experiment with different amounts of herbs and butter.
You will need to refrigerate the flavored butter for at least an hour so the flavors can mix.
You can make this butter up to 24 hours ahead of when you need it.
If you are new to using herbs, or maybe just wondering what goes well together, take a look at this chart for some suggestions.
Be sure to read to the end for more tips on growing fresh herbs in your own garden.
Favorite Herb And Food Combinations
Food Herb
Pears Rosemary
Strawberries Chocolate Mint
Corn Dill
Potatoes Basil, Oregano and Thyme
Fish Dill, Lemon Verbena
Chicken Parsley, Pineapple Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Lettuce Dill
Bread, Rolls Lavender, Parsley
Grilled Herb Chicken
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons each pineapple sage and parsley
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons white wine
- Garlic salt
- Seasoning salt
- Pepper
- Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Place the charcoal in the grill and light. While the coals are heating up, marinade the chicken in the white wine.
- Once the coals are hot, place a roasting pan on top of the coals and melt the butter. Add the olive oil and then the roast including the marinade, turn to coat it on all sides with the oil and butter mixture.
- Cook this for a few minutes until the pan begins to dry up, and then fill the pan approximately ½ full of water.
- Add the herbs to the top of the chicken and the seasonings to taste then cover the pan.
- Cook approximately an hour or until the chicken is tender. I like to baste my chicken approximately every twenty minutes during this time.
- You can also add some potatoes and carrots to the chicken if you like. I usually do this at the beginning and sprinkle the herbs and seasonings over them as well.
Dilled Corn on the Grill
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- Fresh corn on the cob (4 ears)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon dill per ear
- Pepper
Instructions
- Combine the butter and lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Whip into a smooth mixture that is spreadable.
- Then peel the corn husk back and remove the silks.
- Wash the corn and spread the above mixture on the corn before sprinkling the dill on each ear.
- Cover the corn back with the husks and wrap them in foil.
- Lay this directly on the coals and turn every 15 minutes for an hour.
What Is Companion Planting
Companion planting has also become quite the rage in the past few years, instead of a basic herb garden, try an herb and vegetable garden.
For example, try planting tomatoes, geraniums, and basil together.
The geraniums will help the tomatoes to turn color faster and produce more, while basil has always been a good companion plant for tomatoes.
It also makes it more convenient when picking.
Herbs That Go Well Together In A Garden
When planting your garden this year, consider the combination of herbs that work best for you.
Some combinations might include thyme, rosemary and sage.
Think of the foods you cook the most and how you like to season them.
Then consider the herbs and the growing requirements plus the height of the herbs to decide which ones to plant together.
The Best Time Of Year To Plant Herbs
You want to plant herbs when the ground is no longer frozen.
You can actually start your herb planting as early as spring if you're planting right outside in the soil.
To learn even more about growing your own herbs, check out my post on Herb Gardening Tips For Beginners.
Side Dish Recipes
Easy Canned Sweet Corn Recipe
Nothing says summer like fresh tasting sweet corn! When you pair sweet corn with fresh dill weed you get an incredible tasty dish your family is going to love!
Bacon Maple Green Beans
Bacon wrapped maple green beans are perfect for a special meal and they are easy to make. Be sure to try this baked green beans with bacon recipe.
Cast Iron Skillet In Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Quick, easy and delicious, this cast iron skillet in oven roasted Brussels sprouts recipe is prefect for everyday or even for entertaining!
Sauteed Pea Recipe With Basil, Parmesan And Sesame
This sauteed pea recipe seasoned with basil, parmesan and sesame is perfert for special occassions or as an extra special side dish through the week!
Sous Vide Baby Carrots In A Honey Butter Sauce
This Sous Vide Baby Carrots In A Honey Butter Sauce is delicious and easy to make. The secret to success is to make these ahead of time and reheat them!
How To Make Fried Green Tomatoes
I love fried green tomatoes in season. It is hard to find them in restaurants and the ones at fair are not the same. Here is my fried green tomato recipe!
Cast Iron Potatoes Au Gratin
This cast iron potatoes au gratin recipe is delicious and ideal for long term storage in mylar bags. It is the perfect side dish to stock your pantry with.
Easy Dutch Oven Potatoes Recipe
This easy dutch oven potatoes recipe is delicious! Roasted potatoes dutch oven style are one of those recipes you prepare, let cook on their own and serve!
Herb Roasted Cast Iron Red Potatoes Recipe
This herb roasted cast iron red potatoes recipe makes it easy to roast potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
How To Make Candy Yams - An Easy, Delicious Recipe
Candy yams are delcious and certainly deserve a spot as a side dish more than just during the holidays. Give this old fashion recipe a try today.
Bow Tie Pasta In A Creamy Sage Recipe Sauce
This creamy sage recipe sauce is the perfect simple pasta sauce recipe for bow tie pasta. It is quick and easy to make plus it is a great side dish!
Creamy Penne Pasta Sauce Recipe
This creamy penne pasta sauce recipe is made from scratch using Mahon Cheese. It is smooth, perfectly seasoned and easy to make.
Gluten Free Green Bean and Pasta Casserole Recipe
Are you looking for healthy dinner ideas? Try this gluten free green bean and pasta casserole recipe. It's easy to make and delicious.
Homemade Stuffing Recipe Using Roman Meal Bread
This homemade stuffing recipe using Roman Meal Bread is not only delicious, but it is easy to make. Plus it's made with whole grain bread!
Fresh Garden Salad With Herbs And Flowers
Jazz up a fresh picked garden salad with colorful edible flowers and add a dash of flavor with fresh organic herbs from your garden.
Herb And Rose Petal Salad
Dress up your salad by adding fresh rose petals and herbs like basil, dill or parsley. Create one of a kind salads fresh from your garden.
Craving Crunchy Snacks? Try Our Homemade Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries
Transform your surplus summer squash into crispy delights with our Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries recipe. Garden-to-table magic!
Frozen Eggplant Recipe Ideas: 5 Ways to Use Your Winter Stockpile
Don't let your frozen eggplant go to waste. Get inspired with versatile frozen eggplant recipe ideas to savor the taste of summer all winter.
How To Make Grilled Eggplant With Fresh Herbs: A Summertime Delight
Elevate your summer grilling with our delicious Grilled Eggplant recipe infused with fresh herbs. A culinary masterpiece awaits!
Grilled Eggplant Recipe Ideas: Make It the Star of Your Backyard BBQ
Turn your fresh harvest into a culinary masterpiece with these grilled eggplant recipe ideas. Perfect for meatless meals and wholesome eating.