21 Recipes That Use Fresh Mint (2025)

FAQs

What can I do with lots of fresh mint? ›

Answer. Mint (Mentha spp.) can be saved for later use by drying or freezing, though it is best to use the dried leaves within a year and the frozen leaves within 6 months for the best flavor. Begin by rinsing and gently patting your herbs dry.

You can freeze mint for long-term storage! To freeze mint leaves, coarsely chop the mint leaves and place them in an ice cube tray. Fill the ice cube tray with water and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, place the ice cubes in a freezer-safe plastic zip-top bag and store in the freezer.

Freezing mint leaves is the better option if you are looking to preserve the herb's aroma. To freshen up your summer drinks and cocktails, try chopping up your mint leaves and freezing them in ice cubes. If instead you are looking for whole leaves to garnish your food, dried mint is the way to go.

The best way to store mint is in the fridge where it will stay nice and cool. This is the case for many herbs! If your mint is in it's full form, leaves and stems in-tact, you can store it upright in a glass or plastic container. Add 1/2 an inch of water at the bottom the container to so the cut stems are able to soak.

Mint sauce “is often served as a condiment for roast lamb, or any other roast meats, or, in some areas, mushy peas”, according to Wikipedia.

While mint is a great companion, it's important to remember its invasive nature. Mint can quickly overtake other plants if not properly managed.

Simply Dry It

If you have an amazing mint bush growing in your garden, pick the leaves and put them in the sun and let them dry, and you can use them all year long—with your cream cheese or Greek yogurt, in salad dressing, with lamb. People get stuck with the fresh side of the herb.

Drinking mint water in the morning offers several health benefits. It aids digestion, reduces bloating, and can help freshen breath. Additionally, mint water has a soothing effect on the stomach and may enhance mental alertness and focus, providing a refreshing start to your day.

Can I freeze herbs in Ziploc bags? ›

For the freezer bag method, place your big batch of finely chopped herbs in a zip-top freezer bag, adding 2 tablespoons of oil if you haven't already added them in the food processor. Seal the bag almost the entire way and press the herbs into an even, flat layer, making sure to remove any excess air.

Mint likes a moist soil, and excessively dry soil could contribute to the leaves turning black. On the other hand, overwatering can also cause the leaves to rot and turn black.

Use up extra mint by adding it into your morning smoothie or happy hour cocktail, make a mint pesto to top grilled chicken, blend it into a creamy dip, or toss it into salads.

If your shower doesn't have the perfect windowsill for a propagation stand, no worries. You can still bundle and hang your mint in the shower, just as you would your eucalyptus (or, you can try this hanging propagation station and drape it over a hook or showerhead).

Simply Dry It

If you have an amazing mint bush growing in your garden, pick the leaves and put them in the sun and let them dry, and you can use them all year long—with your cream cheese or Greek yogurt, in salad dressing, with lamb. People get stuck with the fresh side of the herb.

The Downsides of Daily Mint

Heartburn Heartache: For some, mint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, potentially increasing acid reflux symptoms. Allergic Woes: Mint allergies, though less common, can cause skin reactions or other allergic symptoms in certain individuals.

If you only want a small amount of mint leaves for cooking, snip off the stems you need about 1 to 2 inches above the soil line. If you want to harvest a lot of mint at once, gather a handful of mint in one hand and clip the stems off a few inches above the soil line with scissors or pruners.