21 Recipes That Use Fresh Mint (2024)

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Kelli Foster

Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor

Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.

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updated Jul 12, 2021

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21 Recipes That Use Fresh Mint (1)

It’s true that a sprig of fresh mint makes a lovely garnish for almost anything you serve, but I’m here to remind you that’s it’s capable of so much more. Mint is a terrific herb to keep around the kitchen — or to grow on your own! (Just keep it away from other herbs you’re growing, because it’ll overtake them.)

As a kitchen herb, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. It’s bright and fresh (like fellow common herbs, parsley and basil), it provides instant zip to whatever it’s added to, and there’s definitely no shortage of what to make with it. Throw it into your morning smoothie or happy hour co*cktail, make a mint pesto to top chicken, blend it into a cool dip, or toss it into salads. If you have a bunch of mint to work with, look to these 21 mint recipes for a little inspiration.

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Orzo Tabbouleh

While this Middle Eastern salad is typically made with bulgur, orzo makes for a fun alternative. Better yet, you probably already have a box of the pasta in your pantry right now.

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If you can't find fresh lemongrass to make the marinade and dressing for this vibrant cold noodle salad, feel free to swap in lemongrass paste.

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Marinated Feta-Beet Salad

You can use a mix of whatever fresh herbs you have for this cheesy beet salad, but mint and dill pair especially well with all the flavors here.

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Spaghetti with Crispy Pancetta, Peas, and Burrata

This fast and fancy pasta dinner is the absolute best excuse to pop open your favorite bottle of white wine or rosé on any ol' weekend.

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Creamy Greek Tzatziki Sauce

It's always a good idea to have a bowl of this tzatziki sauce in the fridge. Dip veggies into it as a snack, swipe it on sandwiches, and dollop it on grilled chicken, steak, and fish.

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Greek-ish Grain Salad

This grain salad is pretty customizable: Use brown rice in place of farro, try different varieties of olives, skip the chile, and even add other vegetables to it like cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

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Steak and Rice Noodle Salad with Mint and Peanuts

Rich and charred steak, chewy rice noodles, bright and juicy lime, sweet mint, and salty peanuts combine for a weeknight dinner with big flavor.

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Pitcher Mint Juleps

While mint juleps are most traditionally enjoyed for the Kentucky Derby, they're too refreshing to save for only one day a year.

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These veggie-packed fritters are perfect on their own, but also can be tucked into pita halves for a hearty sandwich.

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Between the mint and lemon, this braise is packed with light, bright flavors that make it worthy of a place in your summertime meal plans.

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Watermelon Mint Frosé

Watermelon and mint are natural partners, and if you're looking to cool off, this is the way to do it.

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Portuguese-Style Mint Rice

Fresh mint is steamed with the rice, so its sweet aroma is infused throughout the whole pot. You'll want to partner this with anything and everything you're grilling this summer.

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Minty Snap Pea Salad

This fresh and crunchy salad has a way of feeling fancy, yet comes together in a flash and knows how to play side dish to just about anything you're cooking up.

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Minted Summer Couscous with Watermelon and Feta

This sweet, fresh grain salad is a classic summer staple. Honeydew and cantaloupe also make a nice stand-in for the watermelon.

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Minty Sweet Pea and Mascarpone Dip

A bag of frozen peas, a bunch of fresh mint, and creamy mascarpone are the trio that will really help you up your dip game.

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Dairy-Free Raspberry Mango Mint Smoothie

Yes, you should definitely be adding mint to your smoothies (if you're not already!). Pair it with any sort of berry, pineapple, and coconut for an ultra-refreshing drink.

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Chickpea, Barley and Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Mint and Feta

On nights when I have no energy to cook, this salad always hits the spot. I starts with barley or brown rice stashed in the freezer, and I like to double the amount of fresh mint.

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Iced Green Tea with Ginger, Mint and Honey

A big handful of fresh mint and some punchy ginger are the duo your iced tea is missing.

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Snap Peas with Meyer Lemon and Mint

Get a head start by blanching the snap peas and whisking together the vinaigrette in advance, but wait until just before serving to add the mint so its color stays vibrant and doesn't muddy.

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Halloumi, Kale, and Mint Gozleme

Gozleme is a traditional Turkish street food, and this version from Hetty McKinnon starts with a 2-ingredient flatbread that's stuffed with halloumi and greens, then cooked on a griddle.

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Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Fresh mint infuses these crinkle cookies with bright, herbal notes that have long been an ideal match for rich chocolate.

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Recipe Roundup

21 Recipes That Use Fresh Mint (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with all my fresh mint? ›

There are so many ways you can use it to freshen up your cooking.
  1. 1Feta and mint dip. ...
  2. 2Creamy lime ice blocks with Mojito ice. ...
  3. 3Cucumber and mint raita. ...
  4. 4Mint and dukkah labne. ...
  5. 5Apple, spinach and mint juice. ...
  6. 6Orange mint iced tea. ...
  7. 7Peas with mint & garlic butter. ...
  8. 8White chocolate mojito cheesecakes.

How is mint used in cooking? ›

Fresh (or dried) mint makes an excellent addition to meatballs and lamb burgers, to add a bit of Middle Eastern flair (mint is used extensively in many Middle Eastern cuisines). In desserts, fresh mint and mint oil (in candies like peppermints and chocolates) stars.

What are two uses of mint in day to day life? ›

Toothpaste, mouthwash, breath mints, and chewing gum are all commonly flavored with mint. In addition to freshening breath, mint adds flavor to foods and drinks – everything from ice cream and tarts to lemonade and co*cktails to meat dishes (especially lamb).

Can I freeze mint leaves? ›

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.

What are the 10 uses of mint? ›

Health benefits of mint
  • Filled with nutrients.
  • Improved digestive health.
  • Boost your immune system.
  • Better brain function.
  • Support your pregnancy.
  • Reduce cold symptoms.
  • Keep your mouth healthy.
  • Help manage stress.
Sep 14, 2022

Do Mexicans use mint in cooking? ›

Spearmint – One of the aromatics known as hierba Buena, spearmint is a staple of the Mexican kitchen. Its use runs the gamut; it's found in various aguas frescas (non-alcoholic beverages), salads, and desserts, but it's also an integral ingredient in the meatballs in albondigas, a traditional Mexican meatball soup.

Can I boil mint and drink it? ›

For a quicker infusion, you can also boil your mint water for 3–5 minutes before letting it cool. Also, you can enjoy it as a hot mint tea. Making mint water at home is as simple as covering a few sprigs of fresh mint with water and allowing time for its flavor to be absorbed.

Can fresh mint be eaten raw? ›

Yes, It is absolutely safe to eat mint leaves. These leaves are well known for giving fresh and cooling sensations in food. They can be added in both fresh and dried form. Mint leaves are popularly used in beverages, range of teas, alcoholic drink, sauces, chutneys, salads and even in deserts too.

Can mint leaves reduce belly fat? ›

Mint leaves are low in calories making them a great choice for adding flavour to your meals without significantly increasing your calorie intake. Mint tea may help lose belly fat and satisfy tea cravings.

What are five uses of mint leaves? ›

Eating fresh or dried leaves: Used to treat bad breath. Inhaling essential oils: May improve brain function and cold symptoms. Applying it to the skin: Used to reduce nipple pain from breastfeeding. Taking capsules with food: May help treat IBS and indigestion.

What are 4 medicinal uses of mint? ›

12 Health Benefits of Mint Leaves That You Should Know!
  • Treat Indigestion.
  • Relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
  • Improve Respiratory Complaints.
  • Oral Care.
  • Improve Brain Power.
  • Boosts Immunity.
  • Beats Stress & Depression.
  • Help in Breastfeeding Pain.
Mar 20, 2024

Is it better to freeze or dry fresh mint? ›

Freezing mint leaves is the better option if you are looking to preserve the herb's aroma. To freshen up your summer drinks and co*cktails, 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.

How long does fresh mint last? ›

If you change the water when it gets cloudy, the mint should last about a week.

What is the benefits of drinking mint water? ›

Mint water is especially beneficial for people with IBS, acne, hormonal imbalance, bloating, cough and cold, constipation, obesity and more. "So, if you don't remember drinking enough water every day, start sipping on this wonderful mint water and see its positive effects soon in your body," concludes Dr Dixa Bhavsar.

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