What to Do With Dried Herbs: 15 Simple Ideas for Your Harvest
You planted the herbs.
You watered them.
You harvested them.
You carefully dried everything.
And now?
You have seventeen jars of leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots staring at you from the pantry.
What exactly are you supposed to do with all those dried herbs?
This is where herb growing gets fun.
Preserving herbs isn't the end of the process. It's what allows you to continue using your garden long after the growing season ends.
Whether you grew the herbs yourself or purchased dried herbs for your home pantry, here are 15 simple ways to actually use them.
Before You Use Any Dried Herb
First, make sure you know exactly what you have.
Your herbs should be properly identified and labeled.
Before consuming or using an herb, research:
- Correct plant identification
- Botanical name when appropriate
- Plant part
- Appropriate preparation
- Intended use
- Safety considerations
- Potential medication interactions or contraindications
Don't assume that because a plant is "natural," every part of it is appropriate for every person or every type of preparation.
And never consume something from an unlabeled mystery jar.
Now let's put those herbs to work.
1. Make a Cup of Herbal Tea
This is probably one of the easiest ways to begin using dried herbs.
Many familiar herbs and flowers are commonly prepared as herbal tea.
Depending on the plant, these might include:
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Lemon balm
- Chamomile
- Hibiscus
- Rosehips
- Nettle
- Raspberry leaf
You can start with a single herb rather than immediately creating complicated blends.
That gives you an opportunity to learn what each plant actually tastes and smells like.
Make a cup.
Try it.
Take notes.
You may discover favorites you never expected.
Learn the Difference Between an Infusion and a Decoction
Delicate plant materials such as many leaves and flowers are commonly prepared by steeping them in hot water.
Tougher plant materials such as certain roots, bark, and seeds may be prepared using a decoction, which generally involves simmering the plant material in water.
The best method depends on the specific herb.
That's a great next skill to learn once you start building a larger herbal pantry.
2. Create Your Own Herbal Tea Blends
Once you've tasted individual herbs, start experimenting with blends.
You might combine herbs based on:
- Flavor
- Aroma
- Season
- Caffeine preference
- How the ingredients complement one another
For example, you might build a simple blend around:
Mint + another compatible herb
or
Hibiscus + fruit + complementary herbs
Start small.
Write down your recipe.
There's nothing worse than accidentally creating the best tea you've ever tasted and having absolutely no idea what you put in it.
Keep a Tea Notebook
Record:
- Ingredients
- Amounts
- Steeping method
- Steeping time
- Water temperature
- What you liked
- What you'd change
After a while, you'll begin developing your own favorite combinations.
3. Use Dried Culinary Herbs in Cooking
Your herb garden can become part of dinner all winter.
Dried culinary herbs are perfect for:
- Soups
- Stews
- Pasta sauce
- Chili
- Roasted vegetables
- Meat dishes
- Casseroles
- Slow cooker meals
Common dried culinary herbs include:
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Basil
- Parsley
- Marjoram
Instead of automatically reaching for a commercial seasoning packet, look at what's already in your herb pantry.
4. Make Your Own Seasoning Blends
Once you have several dried culinary herbs, try creating homemade seasoning mixes.
You might make blends for:
- Italian-style dishes
- Roasted vegetables
- Chicken
- Potatoes
- Soups
- Garlic bread
- Grilling
Start with small batches.
Keep track of the proportions.
Then adjust the next batch.
Why Make Small Batches?
Because herbs gradually lose aroma and flavor after they're crushed and mixed.
There's no need to make three pounds of seasoning at once.
Make enough to use.
Then make another fresh batch.
5. Make Herb-Infused Vinegar
Certain culinary herbs can be used to flavor vinegar.
Herbal vinegars can add interesting flavor to:
- Salad dressings
- Marinades
- Sauces
- Vegetable dishes
Depending on the recipe, you might experiment with culinary herbs such as:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Basil
- Oregano
- Dill
For food-preservation projects, use reliable tested guidance for preparation and storage rather than improvising shelf-stable methods.
6. Make an Herbal Infused Oil
Properly dried herbs can also be infused into carrier oils for certain topical herbal projects.
Examples of herbs traditionally used in topical oil infusions include:
- Calendula
- Plantain
- Comfrey
- Arnica
- Lavender
An herbal infused oil is not the same thing as an essential oil.
You're steeping dried plant material in a carrier oil.
Once strained, the finished infused oil may be used on its own or as an ingredient in other appropriate topical formulations.
If you're new to herbal oils, start with a single thoroughly dried herb and research its specific safety and use first.
7. Make an Herbal Salve
Once you learn how to make an herbal infused oil, you've opened the door to salve making.
At its simplest, a traditional salve combines an appropriate infused oil with a wax to create a firmer topical product.
Different formulas may also contain other ingredients.
The exciting part is that you're building skills in layers:
Grow the herb.
↓
Harvest the herb.
↓
Dry the herb.
↓
Infuse the herb.
↓
Turn the infused oil into a salve.
That's how one gardening skill can eventually lead to several other projects.
8. Make Herbal Bath Sachets
Not every dried herb needs to end up in the kitchen.
Appropriate aromatic herbs and flowers can be incorporated into bath projects.
Instead of throwing loose plant material directly into the bathtub—and later wondering why your drain looks like a swamp—put the herbs into a small reusable or disposable sachet designed for bath use.
Depending on personal sensitivities and the plant, bath blends might include ingredients such as:
- Lavender
- Rose petals
- Calendula
- Chamomile
Always check the safety of individual ingredients for topical use first.
9. Make Herbal Foot Soaks
A foot soak can be another simple way to use appropriate dried aromatic herbs.
Combine your selected herbs with other bath-appropriate ingredients according to a suitable recipe.
This can also be a nice way to use small quantities of herbs that aren't enough for a larger project.
Again, check topical safety and sensitivities before using a new plant on the skin.
10. Make Simmer Pot Blends
Some dried culinary herbs and aromatic plant materials can be used for home fragrance.
A simmer pot might contain ingredients such as:
- Rosemary
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Citrus peel
- Other appropriate aromatic botanicals
Add the ingredients to water and gently simmer them to scent the home.
Never leave a simmering pot unattended, and keep adding water as needed.
This is especially cozy during fall and winter.
Make Fall Simmer Pot Jars
This can also be a fun seasonal project.
Create dry combinations ahead of time and store them in labeled containers until you're ready to use them.
Think:
Apple + cinnamon + clove
or
Orange + rosemary + warming spices
Your herb pantry doesn't have to be purely practical.
It can make your home smell wonderful too.
11. Use Herbs in Homemade Broths and Soups
Dried herbs are incredibly convenient for broth.
Try culinary herbs such as:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Sage
- Bay
Depending on the recipe, you can add herbs directly or bundle larger pieces into a sachet so they're easy to remove later.
Fall herb preservation suddenly feels very worthwhile when you're making a big pot of soup in January.
12. Make Herb-Infused Honey
Certain appropriately dried culinary herbs can be combined with honey for flavor.
Think of this primarily as a culinary project.
Herbal honey can be:
- Stirred into tea
- Drizzled onto foods
- Incorporated into recipes
Use thoroughly dried herbs and follow a reliable preparation and storage method, since introducing moisture can affect food safety and shelf life.
And remember: honey should not be given to children under 12 months old.
13. Make Botanical Craft Projects
Some of your dried herbs don't have to be consumed at all.
Use attractive dried plant material for crafts.
Ideas include:
- Wreaths
- Dried flower arrangements
- Botanical ornaments
- Handmade paper
- Gift decorations
- Pressed botanical art
- Decorative jars
This is particularly useful for flowers that dried beautifully but aren't something you plan to consume.
Your garden can provide craft supplies as well as food and herbs.
14. Make Herbal Sachets for Drawers and Closets
Aromatic dried herbs can be placed into small fabric sachets for drawers, closets, or linen storage.
Lavender is the classic example.
You might tuck a small sachet into:
- Linen closets
- Dresser drawers
- Storage bins
- Guest rooms
It's a simple way to use an abundant aromatic harvest.
Just remember to keep sachets safely away from pets or young children who might chew or ingest the contents.
15. Build a Winter Herbal Pantry
This might not sound like a "project," but it's one of the most useful things you can do with your harvest.
Instead of viewing every jar individually, start thinking of your herbs as a working pantry.
Create sections for things such as:
Cooking
Oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage.
Tea
Mint, lemon balm, chamomile, hibiscus.
Roots
Dandelion, burdock, marshmallow.
Flowers
Calendula, rose, lavender.
Seeds & Spices
Fennel, coriander, fenugreek and other ingredients you regularly use.
Now your collection has a purpose.
Bonus: Give Your Herbs as Gifts
If you've grown and preserved culinary herbs safely and legally for gifting in your area, small jars of homegrown herbs or seasoning blends can make thoughtful gifts.
You could create:
- Culinary seasoning blends
- Tea-related gift sets where appropriate
- Dried herb bundles
- Botanical craft kits
- Simmer-pot ingredients
Just be mindful that food products, herbal products, and cosmetic products can be subject to labeling and other regulations if they're being sold rather than simply made for your own household.
Don't Try to Use Every Herb the Same Way
This is important.
Just because you can make tea from one herb doesn't mean every herb belongs in tea.
Just because calendula can be infused into oil doesn't mean every dried plant in your garden belongs in skincare.
Just because an herb is edible doesn't mean every plant part is edible.
Always ask:
What plant is this?
What plant part do I have?
How is this specific herb appropriately used?
That's part of becoming more confident with herbs.
Start With What You Already Do
You don't need fifteen new hobbies.
If you already drink tea, start using your herbs for tea.
If you cook frequently, start with seasoning blends.
If you enjoy making skincare, learn infused oils.
If you love crafts, save your prettiest flowers.
If you love making your house cozy, experiment with simmer pots.
Herbs should fit into your life.
You don't need to redesign your entire life around your herb collection.
Create a "Use This First" Basket
Here's a simple trick if your herb pantry is getting out of control.
Create a small area labeled:
USE FIRST
Put older good-quality herbs there.
When you're making tea, cooking, or starting a project, check that section first.
It helps keep older herbs moving instead of constantly opening the newest harvest.
Have a Monthly "Use the Herbs" Day
Once a month, choose one jar.
That's it.
Ask:
What can I do with this?
Maybe you:
- Make tea
- Cook with it
- Create a seasoning blend
- Make an infused oil
- Try a new recipe
- Research the plant
- Decide you don't actually like it
That last option is allowed too.
The goal isn't to become someone who owns herbs.
It's to become someone who knows how to use them.
Your Herb Garden Should Change Every Year
Pay attention to what happens during winter.
If you run out of dried mint by December:
Grow more mint.
If you still have three jars of sage in May:
Grow less sage.
If you discover you hate dried basil but love frozen basil:
Freeze more next year.
If you start using calendula constantly:
Give calendula more garden space.
Your pantry is giving you information.
Use it.
15 Ways to Use Dried Herbs: Quick List
Save this list for later:
- Make herbal tea.
- Create tea blends.
- Cook with culinary herbs.
- Make seasoning blends.
- Make herb-infused vinegar.
- Make herbal infused oil.
- Make herbal salves.
- Create bath sachets.
- Make foot soaks.
- Make simmer pots.
- Flavor soups and broths.
- Make culinary herb-infused honey.
- Create botanical crafts.
- Make drawer and closet sachets.
- Build a working winter herbal pantry.
You don't need to do all fifteen.
Choose one.
The Goal Isn't More Jars
It's easy to get caught up in preserving.
Dry more.
Buy another jar.
Harvest another basket.
Fill another shelf.
But a useful herbal pantry isn't measured by how many jars it contains.
It's measured by how much you actually know and use.
Grow plants you enjoy.
Preserve what you'll use.
Learn one new skill at a time.
And don't be afraid to open the jars.
That's what they're there for.
Continue the Fall Herb Harvesting & Preserving Series
Now that we have plenty of ideas for using our harvest, it's time to organize everything.
Next:
How to Create a Home Herbal Pantry for Winter
We'll cover:
- Where to keep your herbs
- Choosing containers
- Organizing single herbs
- Tea ingredients
- Culinary herbs
- Roots and flowers
- Creating a small working section
- Keeping an inventory
- Rotating older herbs
- Deciding what you actually need
- Building your pantry gradually without spending a fortune
Because you don't need 100 herbs to have an herbal pantry.
You just need a useful collection of plants you actually know how to use.
Explore Related Products
Interested in bringing these traditional botanical ingredients into your daily routine? Explore our collection of handcrafted products inspired by nature, including herbal body care, wellness products, teas, tinctures, soaps, lotions, and other small-batch creations. Each product is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and a commitment to simple, natural living.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil)
- Lemon Balm
- Chamomile Flowers
- Lavender
- Herbal Tea Collection
- Women's Wellness Collection
- Apothecary Collection
- Adaptogenic Herb Collection
Recommended Products & Resources
Building your knowledge is one of the best investments you can make in your wellness journey. Whether you're interested in herbal traditions, natural living, self-care, or women's wellness, there are many excellent books and tools available to help you learn more. Browse our recommended resources below.
- Peterson Guide to Herbs & Plants
- Non-Gmo Seed Kit
- Herb Dehydrator
- Herb Drying Rack
- Herb Harvesting Rake
- Herb Growing Handbook
- Hydroponic Growing System
- Seed Saving Bible
- Herb Harvesting Stripper
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Continue Your Wellness Journey
If you enjoyed this article, you may also find these wellness resources helpful. Explore our growing library of educational articles covering herbs, natural skincare, self-care, women's wellness, herbal traditions, and natural living. Learning how plants, ingredients, and wellness practices fit into everyday life can help you create a routine that works for you.