The Best Herbs for Cooking: 10 Herbs Chefs Use to Redefine Dishes

Want to know what gives your favorite dish that certain j’nais sais quoi?

Ask any great chef what’s behind their most memorable dishes, and the answer usually comes down to one thing—herbs! The best herbs for cooking take dull dishes and transform them into culinary masterpieces.

Herbs used in cooking lift sauces, balance richness, and create aromatic signatures that make each bite unforgettable. They’re not just decoration; they’re essential ingredients that layer complexity and enhance harmony.

Here’s a closer look at ten of the most celebrated herbs chefs add to their dishes.

1. Basil

With its sweet-and-savory flavor laced with hints of anise, mint, and pepper, this herb is a mainstay in a broad range of global cuisines. It’s one of the top herbs used in cooking dishes as varied as Italian pastas and Asian curries. Basil is even the backbone of one of the most popular sauces in Italy—pesto!

2. Mint

Mint is sweet, aromatic, and cooling, making it the perfect foil to balance heat, richness, and acidity. It’s at home alongside fatty meats like lamb and in Southeast Asian dishes like Vietnamese pho and Thai stir-fries.

Although many chefs consider this one of the best herbs for cooking, it’s also hugely popular in beverage prep, too. Mint tea is a favorite, and no mojito would be complete without it!

3. Parsley

This curly or flat-leafed herb is more than just a pretty garnish for a beautifully plated meal. Its bright, slightly bitter taste adds a unique flavor, and it’s a key component in these international favorites:

• Chimichurri

• Tabbouleh

• Gremolata

• Falafel

Parsley also brings clean freshness to meat and seafood dishes, and its mild profile makes it one of the best herbs for cooking in terms of versatility. And did you know that it’s on so many restaurant plates because chewing on a sprig can help freshen your breath after a meal?

4. Cilantro

Cilantro, a.k.a. coriander, adds a zesty, lemony bite to dishes. This is one of the most common herbs used in cooking around the globe, figuring heavily into the cuisines of:

• Mexico and Latin America

• The Middle East

• India

• Southeast Asian Countries

• The Caribbean

5. Oregano

Oregano adds a sweet, yet spicy/peppery flavor to everything from roasted vegetables to grilled meats. Many pro chefs use fresh and dried oregano in all stages of cooking. Its reliability and versatility make it one of the best herbs for cooking both classic and modern dishes.

6. Tarragon

A favorite in French cuisine, tarragon’s popularity traces back to ancient Rome, where warriors used it to boost vitality. Nowadays, it’s considered one of the best herbs for cooking elevated meals, where its faint anise flavor adds sophistication to chicken, egg, and fish dishes.

7. Bay Leaf

This is one of the most popular herbs used in professional cooking that you’ll never see on the plate. Chefs drop them into simmering sauces, soups, and stews to build essential flavors and then remove the leaves before serving. Bay leaf is an ingredient that often goes unnoticed—until it’s left out.

8. Rosemary

This twiggy herb is one of the best for cooking because it adds both flavor and aroma to dishes. Rosemary is often infused in oils or butters because its essential oils dissolve perfectly into fats, and its firm structure holds up well in baked foods like focaccia and bundt cakes.

9. Sage

Sage is earthy and has a bit of a peppery undertone. Although home cooks often associate sage with traditional holiday dishes (think Thanksgiving turkey and dressing), chefs consider it one of the best herbs for cooking a range of warm, comforting dishes.

10. Dill

This light and feathery yet versatile herb is often used in cooking preparations like pickling and emulsions. It complements rich, creamy dishes and subtle seafood. It’s found in a range of international cuisines, from Scandinavian gravlax to Eastern European borscht. Even dill’s stems, flowers, and seeds show up in dishes.

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