There are many herbs that go with potatoes, but the best herbs to choose will depend on how you are cooking your dish and what other flavors you are using. Check out our list below for some ideas of herbs that pair well with potatoes no matter how you cook them.
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The humble potato is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, from boiling and baking to roasting and frying.
However you cook your potatoes, you can really make them special by adding the right herbs. These herbs can be added to potatoes while they are cooking, or as a sauce or garnish to finish the dish.
Herbs that go with potatoes
There are many herbs that pair well with potatoes, and each one brings its own unique flavor to the dish. Here are a few of the best herbs for potatoes.
Rosemary
One of our favorite herbs for potatoes is rosemary. It has a savory flavor that pairs well with the earthy flavor of potatoes.
Rosemary can be used in many different ways, such as in a simple rosemary and garlic mashed potato recipe.
When using fresh rosemary, strip the leaves from the stem and chop them before adding them to your dish. Dried rosemary can be added whole or crumbled.
Thyme
Another great option is thyme. Its slightly lemony flavor pairs well with other herbs like rosemary and oregano, making it a perfect addition to any dish.
This herb can be used fresh or dried, and goes well with other seasonings like garlic, rosemary, and sage.
Chives
Chives are also a great option for potatoes. They add a bit of a onion flavor to the dish, and they’re really easy to add. Just finely chop and sprinkle them on top of steamed, boiled, or mashed potatoes, or potato soup.
Mint
The freshness of mint pairs well with new potatoes (baby potatoes) and fingerling potatoes.
Try adding some fresh mint to the water when boiling or steaming potatoes, garnish potatoes with chopped mint, or serve a mint sauce on the side with roasted potatoes.
Basil
Basil is a classic herb for potatoes. It has a slightly sweet, peppery flavor that adds a hint of sweetness and bright flavor to the earthy potatoes.
Try adding chopped fresh basil leaves as a garnish for cooked potatoes, or drizzle them with fresh basil pesto.
Parsley
Parsley has a fresh, grassy flavor that complements the earthy taste of potatoes well.
You can garnish cooked potatoes with chopped fresh parsley, or add a bunch of parsley in the water when boiling or steaming potatoes.
Sage
Sage is a wonderful herb to use with potatoes. The earthy flavor of sage compliments the natural sweetness of potatoes perfectly. Sage also has a slight peppery flavor which can add a nice depth of flavor to potato dishes.
It is particularly good with potatoes cooked in oil, so try adding some sliced sage or whole sage leaves in the pan with roasting or fried potatoes.
When using sage with potatoes, be sure to use a light hand as the flavor of sage can be quite strong. A little sage goes a long way!
Garlic
Garlic and potatoes are a classic combination that can be found in many dishes from around the world. The two ingredients complement each other perfectly, with the garlic adding a pungent flavor to the potatoes.
There are many different ways to prepare garlic potatoes, but one of the most popular is to simply roast them together in the oven. This method brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes, while the garlic becomes nice and crispy.
Best herbs for different types of potatoes
The best herbs to choose for your potato dish will depend on how you are cooking to potatoes.
Mashed potatoes
When it comes to mashed potatoes, the addition of a few herbs can really take them to the next level.
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food that can be made even better with the addition of fresh herbs.
Chives, dill, and parsley are some of our favorite herbs for flavoring mashed potatoes.
Chives add a mild onion flavor to the potatoes. Try finely chopping a small bunch of chives and mix into hot mashed potato with a spoonful of sour cream or cream cheese.
Dill has a nice fresh flavor with notes of sour and sweetness, and is a great option if you are serving it with fish. Try adding chopped dill, butter and lemon zest.
Parsley is a classic herb that goes well with just about anything, and mashed potatoes are no exception. The bright herbaceous flavor of this herb perfectly complements the creaminess of the potatoes. Mashed potatoes topped with parsley and garlic butter has to be one of the all time greatest comfort foods around!
Roasted potatoes
There are many herbs that go well with roasted potatoes, but some of the best are rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, and garlic.
Rosemary is a classic choice for roasted potatoes, and its earthy flavor pairs well with the potatoes’ natural sweetness. Thyme is another excellent option, and its slightly lemony flavor complements the potatoes perfectly.
Sage is a wonderful herb to add depth and richness to roasted potatoes. When using sage in roasted potatoes, be sure to use it sparingly, as too much sage can overpower the dish. Add a handful of fresh or sliced leaves into the pan while they are roasting.
Oregano is a great choice for adding a bit of spice to roasted potatoes. Its pungent flavor goes well with the potatoes’ savory taste.
Garlic roasted potatoes is a classic dish, and for good reason. The garlic adds a depth of flavor that elevates the potatoes to a new level. Roasting garlic brings out its natural sweetness, making it the perfect complement to the potatoes. Add a few lightly bashed cloves of garlic in the roasting pan with the potatoes, or add a whole bulb, cut in half.
These herbs all have a strong flavor that can stand up to the rich taste of roasted potatoes. Use them on their own or in combination.
Baked potatoes
Baked potatoes are a delicious and versatile side dish, and there are many herbs that can be used to enhance their flavor. Chives, green onions, parsley and are all great choices.
Whether you serve your baked potatoes topped with melting butter or smothered in other toppings, try adding one of these fresh herbs to take your dish to the next level.
Chives have a mild onion flavor that can be used to enhance the flavor of any potato dish. Green onions have a slightly stronger flavor than chives and can also be used to add flavor to baked potatoes.
Parsley has a fresh, bright flavor that can liven up any potato dish. Basil is a versatile herb that can be used in many different ways to flavor baked potatoes.
Boiled potatoes
Many fresh herbs can be used to flavor boiled potatoes, but some of the best include mint, parsley, and bay leaves. These herbs can add a bright, fresh flavor to boiled potatoes that can really elevate the dish.
The fresh flavor of mint is especially good at complementing the natural sweetness of boiled potatoes, while parsley and bay leaves can add a nice depth of flavor.
Potato salad
When you cook the potatoes you can include any of the herbs mentioned above, but you can also add herbs to the potato salad dressing or as a garnish.
There are many fresh herbs that go well with potato salad, but some of the best are chives, green onions, parsley, and basil. These herbs all have a fresh, bright flavor that pairs well with the creamy potatoes and tangy dressing.
Chives and green onions add an onion flavor, as well as some texture to the dish, while parsley and basil add a bit of sweetness. You can use any combination of these herbs to create a delicious potato salad that everyone will love.
Sweet potatoes
There are a few different herbs that go well with sweet potatoes. Rosemary, sage, and thyme all have a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.
You can also use savory herbs like oregano and basil, or even a little bit of cinnamon or nutmeg to add a bit of sweetness to your dish.
Finally
As you can see, there are a wide variety of herbs that can be used to flavor potatoes, and the best ones to choose will depend on the style of potatoes you are cooking and what they will be served with.
With a little experimentation, you’ll be able to find the perfect herbs for any potato dish. So get cooking and enjoy your delicious, herb-flavored potatoes!
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