Get Your
a $27 value; free for a limited-time
New Here?
Grab IT NOW
Get my 10 BEST easy, healthy, delicious dinner recipes—WEEKLY MEAL PLAN included!
Top 10
Healthy
Dinner
recipes
Is your mint plant exploding to the point that you feel guilty for not using it?
Yeah, me too.
The great thing about mint is that it smells heavenly and it’s super easy to grow. (Quick tip: always give it it’s own container or it will choke out your garden.) The not-so-great thing about mint is that no one really knows what to do with it, in the US at least, because we mostly see mint in sweet-tasting preparations.
Not anymore! Mint itself is not any sweeter than basil or other more common herbs, you just have to get creative (and maybe a little brave) to try it in savory dishes. It’s really great in just about everything.
Mint can…
Beyond all of that, growing your own herbs is one of the most cost-effective ways to eat well and add a gourmet touch to your food. A sprouted herb plant is only about $3 (even the organic ones!) and will yield food for months, maybe even years. Buying a small packet of herbs at the store is usually $3 or more, and it’s only enough for one recipe. I plant mint, basil, chives, rosemary, thyme, and a few others every year, usually for less than 20 bucks, and I use them almost daily. It’s a no-brainer.
Back to the mint. If you have more mint than you know what to do with this should help…
Berries and mint pair beautifully. Mix plain unsweetened Greek yogurt with strawberries (or mixed berries) and sprinkle with chopped fresh mint. De-lish.
Use 5-10 big leaves or more depending on how strong you want it. Tear the leaves and place in a mug, then muddle the leaves for a few seconds with the back of a wooden spoon. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the leaves and let steep 5-10 minutes. You can remove the leaves or leave them in (punny!) – I leave them in and eat them as I sip.
Peppermint tea is especially good for you after dinner.
Add 3-4 fresh mint leaves to your chocolate protein smoothie for a delicious variety. I love ice, water, chocolate protein powder, flax seeds, and mint whipped up in the blender. Mint is wonderful in berry smoothies, too.
This combo is DELICIOUS alone as a side or on top of mixed greens as a salad, or use it as a bruschetta topper with a whole grain baguette and goat cheese. Your friends will be impressed. The measurements are fluid, I’d say about 2 cups halved or quartered strawberries mixed with 10-20 leaves each of chopped mint and basil. 3-4 tablespoons of a high-quality aged balsamic will finish it perfectly.
Muddle 5-8 mint leaves in the bottom of a glass. Add ice, a healthy squeeze of lime and club soda with a few drops of stevia to sweeten. (Is it 5 o’clock somewhere? Turn this into a low-sugar mojito by adding an ounce of white rum if you so please.)
Just four ingredients and this salad will wow you. Add a sprinkle of sea salt to round out the flavors. Again, the measurements are fluid, use the same measurements as the strawberry salad above.
Homemade popsicles are an easy, healthy, and delicious treat. These pops require only 4 ingredients and you will love them. Grab my Watermelon Mint Pops recipe here.
A handful of fresh mint makes any pesto pop. Give it a try here with my favorite vegan pesto recipe.
You can also try mint in any one of these great salads:
Add fresh mint to plain or sparkling water, or even freeze whole leaves in ice cubes to add beautiful color to your beverage.
Freeze whole mint leaves into ice cubes for a pretty (and tasty) addition to your water. Place 2-3 small whole mint leaves (or a few torn large ones) into an ice cube tray (look for a BFA-free or silicone one). Add purified water and freeze. If you boil the water your ice cubes will be crystal clear; let it cool to room temp before adding it to your ice cube trays.
These ideas will get you started so we can all finally stop the mint guilt.
Do you have any other great ways to use up fresh mint? Add it in the comments below to share with other readers in our community.
FREE! 10
Healthy dinners
join OVER 140,000 people & GET My
Filled with easy, healthy, delicious dinners. You'll also get meal planning templates, my healthy pantry checklist and more. Plus, get subscriber-only recipes & extras I only send to my VIP subscribers.
ebook
Endless Ideas & Inspiration
beauty
browse the blog for
browse by category
health
mindset
Business
LIFESTYLE
RECIPES
searching for something?
Instead of prescribing what I think you should do, I help you find what works for you.
The ultimate guide to holistic health with practical and inspiring guidance on every element of well-being.
Gabby Bernstein, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Universe Has Your Back
Getting
join over 140,000 people
Because healthy living doesn’t have to feel like The Hunger Games. You'll get my:
Every week
Yay love these. 🌱🌱
Might be worth noting though that mint tea can reduce breast milk production. I binged mint tea when I was weaning my son. But also worth nothing for lactating mamas who don’t want the drop in their supply.
Great point thanks for sharing! ~E
A delicious dressing and marinade for pork, beef, chicken and salad dressing. Muddle several mint leaves in a Mason jar, add Extra Virgin Olive oil fresh Lemon Juice, through a garlic press 2 or 3 cloves of garlic salt and pepper to taste. put lid on jar and shake until blended, marinate chicken then grill. delicious
Refreshing summer drink: WATERMELON – MINT LIMEADE (or lemonade): fluid proportions. I usually make this is my blender. Some seedless watermelon, ice cubes, a mint sprig or 2 (10-20 leaves depending on how much watermelon), lemonade drink mix (like koolaid, the ones that you don’t have to add sugar to) OR frozen limeade or lemonade concentrate (not the whole container for 1 blender full — start with a spoonful or so). Basically you’re assume watermelon and mint to your -ade. Yummy!
I make mint sauce for every Sunday dinner by chopping mint leaves up fine, chop 2 to 3 spring onions cross ways not long ways place in a glass or a cup add one spoonful of sugar or more depending on taste and fill with non brewed condiment or malt vinegar which ever you prefer, I use non brewed condiment, let it stand for one to two hours. Don’t just have it with lamb I have it with any meat delicious.
I just wrap thread or any thin string around the bottom of the stems then hang it upside down to dry out for a few weeks. Crumble afterward and store in a container. When I want to drink mint tea I put some into a tea ball and wala !!
So much better tasting than store bought
I am growing mint, thyme, basil, and parsley. Thanks for the recipes. I have frozen basil in ice cube trays and now I will do the same with mint. I was told you can dry mint and basil in the microwave. Takes about a min. I don’t know if you can do rhyme. Any clue?
I’ve mint in my home,(backet). Apart frm tea, can i use it in food, like the way i use coriader
looks so good! but im to lazy to do them#lazy
Great idea to make Mint tea , put it in my breakfast yogurt parfait . I usually put a few leaves in my peppermint tea and eat it at the end. Mint is great !