I don’t have herbes de Provence in our kitchen. Growing up in the south of France, this spice blend speaks to my love for French cuisine. I use it just about anything I can!
My mom’s French heritage was a huge influence growing up, and as a result, I always had a soft spot for French dishes like boeuf bourguignon and pâté. I’m no Julia Child (or even Martha Stewart for that matter!), but I try to incorporate French recipes into our meal plans whenever possible.
Many people think that French cooking is boring or difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.
French medicine for vegetarians
I have always been fascinated by French food culture and how children in France love different types of food. We can learn a lot from the French language, especially in how we teach our children to look at food. I posted a section of my Good Mom cookbook on this topic!
A big part of raising healthy eaters is exposing kids to healthy, diverse foods—like these sweet people.
What are Herbs de Provence?
The blend comes from the south, or Provence region, of France, and is made from herbs that grow in that region. The first combination of herbs de Provence food contains savory summer, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary. Later, lavender, fennel, and even orange zest are added in some versions. Most of the herbs de Provence perfume mixes in the grocery store include lavender and other herbs.
Not only do they taste great, but these herbs contain powerful antioxidants to help the immune system do its job. Among many other things, rosemary helps with memory, thyme is good for the lungs, and marjoram helps to relieve nervous tension. Lavender is also great for stress relief, orange zest is uplifting, and fennel aids digestion. Together, they make a powerful and delicious mix.
Herbs de Provence vs Italian Seasoning
Although I love both seasonings, they definitely have some differences. Italian cuisine includes thyme and rosemary, and you’ll often find oregano and basil spices there. And many versions of Italian seasoning do not include marjoram or tropical savory (and not lavender)!
If you want additional herbs de Provence, the easiest recipe is summer savory, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary.
How to make Herbs de Provence
It’s very simple, but it requires a little extra seasoning compared to most of my spice mix recipes. I usually just add all the herbs to the pot, shake and voila… done. Since these herbs are usually whole, like fennel seeds or lavender buds, I quickly run through the recipe. Not only does it make it easy to use in recipes, but the fresh herbs smell delicious. Blending or chopping herbs releases volatile oils to make them more flavorful.
So what is herbes de Provence for anyway, apart from beauty? The answer is many!
How to use basic household items
Herbes de Provence is something different. It can be described as bold, dry, and small flowers. It pairs well with almost any cut of meat (especially pork and chicken recipes) and complements many fish and seafood dishes. I often add it to homemade soups and stews.
We like to add a little bit of condensed milk and keep it at the ready for adding vegetables, breadcrumbs, or cauliflower rice. It also makes a great addition to breakfast dishes like my favorite sous vide eggs or homemade breakfast sausage.
Try adding herbs de Provence compound butter to the roasted chicken before putting it in the oven. Since the herbs are chunkier, not very powdered, they work best when added at the beginning of recipes. This allows them to add their flavor to the dish. It is also delicious with roasted vegetables or potatoes.
Bonus… not only is it healthy and delicious, but it fills the kitchen with an amazing smell!
You can buy it at the store, but a combination of homemade herbes de Provence and other aromatic mixtures is a good way to save time and money. This way, you know exactly how long it’s been sitting on the shelf! It’s also a fun and easy kitchen that kids can help make.
Recipe Herbs de Provence
Hermere herbs de Provence combines herbs such as thyme and marjoram with lavender, fennel and orange zest for an aromatic and delicious combination.
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Use a pestle or food processor to finely grind any herb, such as rosemary, lavender flowers, or fennel. The root should be firm, not soft.
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If you burn the orange yourself, remove the zest of one organic orange and dry it in the oven on the lowest setting or something hot until completely dry.
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Mix everything in a pot or bowl and mix.
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Store in an airtight container away from heat and light.
Food Facts
Recipe Herbs de Provence
Hourly rate (1 tsp)
Calories 9
Calories from fat 2
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.2g0%
0.1g saturated fat1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.04g
Monounsaturated fat 0.01g
Sodium 2 mg0%
Potassium 28 mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 0.04g0%
Protein 0.3g1%
Vitamin A 131 IU3%
Vitamin C 2 mg2%
Calcium 60 mg6%
Iron 3 mg17%
* Percent Daily Value is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Mix a teaspoon or two of the herb blend into softened butter for dipping vegetables, seasonal chicken or seafood, or use it to make your breakfast sausage.
- The total amount for this recipe is about 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons of herbs de Provence.
Herbs de Provence Another recipe
I buy my herbs in bulk online, but sometimes savory can be hard to find in your local grocery store. If you’re looking for a non-savory summer recipe or just something new to try, I love this combination too. Just process, mix and store as suggested above. All the following herbs are dried:
- 2 TBSP thyme
- 2 Tbsp rosemary
- 1 TBSP basil
- 1 TBSP of oregano
- 1 TBSP summer savory (optional but traditional)
- 1 tsp marjoram (optional)
- 1 tsp lavender buds (optional)
Have you ever used herbes de Provence? What is your favorite French delicacy?
