Classic Homemade Herbes de Provence Seasoning

You can mix your own herbs in almost no time, and the finished product tastes much fresher than an old bottle from the store. A batch of Classic Homemade Herbes de Provence Seasoning takes just a few minutes to measure and stir together. It brightens roasted meats and lasts for up to three months in your pantry.

The herb balance

Traditional French blends often rely on savory. Savory gives the mix a mild herbal taste. If you do not have savory, you can use marjoram as a direct substitute. The main character of the mix comes from thyme and rosemary. These two ingredients dominate the blend. The other herbs simply act as background notes.

You might find alternative mixtures of this seasoning at the grocery store. Commercial blends sometimes incorporate mint, lavender, bay leaves, basil, parsley, sage, or chervil. Feel free to try adding a tiny pinch of these extras to your own batch. Just be careful not to mix in too many at once. Adding a large number of different herbs overpowers the traditional thyme and rosemary balance.

Preparing the rosemary

Check your dried leaves before you mix them. Rosemary often comes in long, stiff sprigs. You need to chop or grind these larger pieces. A quick chop breaks the leaves open so they release more flavor into your food.

Shorter rosemary needles also resist burning. If you leave long rosemary sprigs whole, they might scorch when you cook them. Run a chef's knife over the herbs on a cutting board until the pieces look uniform.

Mixing and storage

Place the two tablespoons of dried thyme, two tablespoons of dried rosemary, two teaspoons of dried marjoram, and one teaspoon of dried oregano into a small bowl. Stir all the prepared herbs together until they mix evenly. You can go ahead and enjoy your fresh herb mixture right away.

Pack the remaining herbs into a tightly sealed glass jar for storage. Keep the container in a cool, dry pantry away from moisture and heat. The seasoning lasts for up to three months. Your batch will expire sooner if any of your original dried leaves have an earlier best-by date. Always check the dates on your individual herb jars before you begin.

Ways to use the blend

This quick seasoning mixture works well on many everyday meals. You can keep a jar near the stove for fast access.

• Rub the herbs onto chicken before you put it in the oven.
• Toss the mixture with chopped vegetables and olive oil before roasting.
• Stir a spoonful into hearty meat stews.
• Sprinkle the blend over fish before cooking.
• Whisk the herbs into simple vinaigrettes and salad dressings.
• Mix the seasoning into breadcrumb coatings for dishes like pork schnitzel.