Is your lavender plant bursting with blossoms and you’re itching to use them in your cooking? Or maybe you just happen to have some leftover culinary lavender lying around from that one time and you have no idea what to do with it. It’s a flower with many health benefits that totally deserves a seat at the table. Here’s 25 mouth-watering recipes with lavender that make it real easy to get this incredible herb into your kitchen more often.
HERE YOU’LL FIND:
Why You Should Cook with Lavender
How to Cook with Lavender
Breakfast Recipes with Lavender
Lunch & Dinner Recipes with Lavender
Healthy Snacks with Lavender
Dessert Recipes with Lavender
Drink Recipes with Lavender
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Why You Should Cook More with Lavender
You know me… always trying to squeeze more botanicals into your every day. And what better way than to eat them?! What can I say? I very much love to eat.
Variety is not only the spice of life, it’s also one of the pillars of sustainable health and wellness. Our bodies thrive and actually become stronger and more resistance to illness and disease when we feed ourselves a wide variety of healthy foods. And that includes all the nutritive herbs and spice, and even edible flowers that we can get our hands on.
Not only do they make our food more flavorful, they also provide us with a more anti-inflammatory antioxidants. They help support healthy digestion so that we can actually absorb more of the nutrients from the foods we eat. And they help nourish our bodies so that we can better take on whatever the day (or night) has in store for us.
Herbs and spices make our lives better in more ways than we may ever understand.
If you want to know more about the health benefits of lavender, check this out:
19 Science-Supported Health Benefits of Lavender
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How to Cook with Lavender
What does lavender go with?
Lavender pairs well with a wide variety of foods and other herbs. Try including a little lavender when using any of the following:
- Mediterranean herbs like oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, and savory
- Tomato-based dishes like soups and sauces
- Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
- Stone fruits like peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries
- Tart and fruity things like citrus (eg. lemon and grapefruit)
- Sweet and creamy foods like ice creams and custards
- Chocolate
What can I make with lavender?
I think a better question might be: what can’t you make with lavender?
Lavender is a lovely addition to your every day foods. It’s probably a break from your go-to herbs, spices, and seasoning blends. Plus, it pairs so well with many of our kitchen staples, favorite foods, and the flavors we crave.
You can add lavender, fresh or dried, to everything from cookies, cakes, and creme brûlée to salads, salad dressings, and roasted veggies. And if you’re a meat-eating person, lavender pairs well with chicken, fish, and beef!
Keep scrolling down for 25 recipes that use lavender!
Do I use fresh or dried lavender flowers?
Both! You can generally use both fresh or dried lavender flowers in your cooking.
You’d want to be sure you’re using dried when making things like infused oils or honeys, where the extra water content of fresh flowers would decrease the shelf stability of your product and might cause unwanted fermentation.
Otherwise, when using lavender flowers in cooked foods, like cookies, cakes, roasted veggies, or soups, either fresh or dried flowers will do the job.
To substitute, use the following ratio: For every 1 tablespoon of fresh lavender, use 1 teaspoons dried lavender.
Is all lavender edible?
Not all lavender is created equally! Be careful where you’re getting your lavender from. Most, if not all of the lavender you’ll find in craft stores for use in decor or potpourri is not meant for consumption. It’s usually heavily treated with chemicals and not something you’d ever want to put in your food.
Be sure that you are using culinary lavender in your cooking. If you can find organic culinary lavender, that’s even better. And if you grow your own, more power to ya!
Where can I buy lavender?
Culinary lavender can oftentimes be purchased from high-end grocers and natural food cooperatives. Many natural food stores have bulk sections of herbs and spices where you can usually find lavender. And of course, you can find culinary lavender at many online retailers. When I can’t find it locally, I buy organic lavender from Mountain Rose Herbs. Over and over again, I’ve found the quality of their herbs to be superior to many other companies.
I scoured the internet to find the best of the sweet and savory lavender recipes out there. Most are vegan or can be made vegan, and many are also gluten-free.
Breakfast Recipes with Lavender
1. Herbs de Provence Roasted Breakfast Potatoes
Brunch just got a botanical upgrade! Herbs de Provence is a popular spice blend, but it’s also one of those spice blends that people don’t really seem to know how to use. Try drizzling this Herbs de Provence Infused Olive Oil over your chopped potatoes before you throw them in the oven.
And if you’re short on time, skip the infusion. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the herbs (or even just lavender!) straight onto your potatoes with a little sea salt.
2. Lavender Blueberry Muffins
A classic breakfast staple with an extra hint of the summertime garden. Stir 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers into this Vegan Blueberry Muffin recipe from My Darling Vegan.
3. Lemon Lavender Poppyseed Scones
Try these delicious looking lemon lavender scones from The Simple Seed. They’re vegan and perfect for a springtime brunch with friends and family.
4. Warm Biscuits with Fresh Strawberries & Lavender Honey Syrup
Make the best damn vegan biscuits from Minimalist Baker and serve them warm with fresh sliced strawberries and a drizzle of lavender honey simple syrup.
5. Fruit Salad with Lavender Honey
No recipe needed for this simple, nourishing breakfast. Make yourself a bowl of fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and plums and drizzle the whole thing with a little bit of lavender honey. Try this lavender honey simple syrup or try the lavender-tulsi honey I used on some mini elderberry and fig galettes.
Lunch & Dinner Recipes with Lavender
6. Spinach Salad with Lavender Balsamic Vinaigrette
Drizzle this lavender balsamic vinaigrette over some fresh spinach tossed with fresh berries, thinly sliced red onion, and slivered almonds.
7. Tomato Soup with Lavender
Tomatoes…. and lavender? It might not sound like a good pairing, but trust me, tomatoes and lavender were born for each other. This pairing is a nod to classic Mediterranean flavors and this Tomato Soup with Lavender is so simple to make.
8. Rice Pilaf with Lavender & Apricots
The thing I love most about rice pilafs is that you can practically throw anything in them. There are probably a million different versions of rice pilaf. This Savory Rice Pilaf with Lavender and Apricots is another great way to use lavender flowers. If vegan, just swap out the butter for olive or avocado oil and the chicken stock for a flavorful veggie broth. (Try this super medicinal veggie broth you can make at home!)
9. Lavender Honey Glazed Tempeh
I made this roasted chicken recipe from Inspired Taste vegetarian by swapping out the chicken for some delicious baked tempeh. You could also try it with an extra firm tofu. You’ll essentially make a marinade of lavender, thyme, rosemary, crushed red pepper, honey, and balsamic vinegar. I suggest marinating cubed tempeh (or tofu) for 1-2 hours. Then transfer to a small casserole dish or shallow pan and bake at 415℉ for about 20 minutes, tossing half way through.
Snack Recipes with Lavender
10. Lavender Marcona Almonds
As if Marcona almonds aren’t absolutely delicious on their own! Nonetheless, lavender is an acceptable upgrade. This recipe for Lavender Marcona Almonds literally takes 15 minutes to make. You could also make this recipe with regular raw almonds. And if you’re avoiding cane sugar, use a finely ground coconut sugar or skip it altogether. Personally, while it’s delicious, I don’t think the sugar is necessary.
11. Popcorn with Lavender & Pink Peppercorn Seasoning Salt
I love herbal salts. They’re one of the easiest ways to get more herbs and spices into your every day. Why? Because most of us are already sprinkling salt onto our food at every single meal. This Lavender & Pink Peppercorn Seasoning Salt is delicious on popcorn, but can really be sprinkled on anything. And by anything, I mean everything.
Dessert Recipes with Lavender
12. Healthy Lavender Lemon Cookies
Try these healthy Lavender Lemon Cookies from Liz Moody. They’re made with almond flour and chia seeds, and sweetened only with maple syrup.
13. Blackberry Lavender Chocolate Cake
Try this Blackberry Lavender Chocolate Cake from The Curious Chickpea. Four layers of chocolate cake, a quick and easy lavender blackberry jam, and an old-school version of buttercream made with flour (and way less sugar).
14. No-Bake Earl Grey & Lavender Cake Balls
Here’s a version of lavender cake that’s a bit healthier. These No-Bake Earl Grey & Lavender Cake Balls are easy to make, vegan, gluten-free, and make for a satisfying snack when that sweet tooth comes knockin’!
15. Lavender Lemon Bars
As you can probably tell from the list so far, lavender and lemon just go together. It’s a classic combination of bright citrus with sweet and floral that’ll whisk you away to warm spring days. Try swapping out the chamomile in this vegan, gluten-free Chamomile Lemon Bar recipe with lavender. Instead of 2 heaping tablespoons of chamomile, uses 2 teaspoons of dried lavender flowers (or 1 heaping tablespoon fresh).
16. Strawberry Lavender Shortcakes
Vegetarian Times used to be my go-to for all recipes back in the early 2000’s, when I was just a baby/beginner vegetarian. Try this recipe for Strawberry Lavender Shortcakes where you get lavender in both the strawberries and the shortcake. If vegan, just substitute a plant-based butter like Earth Balance and either skip the whipped cream or make a delectable homemade coconut whipped cream.
17. Elderberry & Fig Galettes Drizzled with Lavender Tulsi Honey
Bust out your rolling pin and get to galette making! These rustic, pan-less pies made with fresh elderberries and figs are drizzled with a quick-to-make lavender tulsi honey. You can find the recipe here.
18. Lavender Strawberry Tart
This Lavender Strawberry Tart is made with my favorite gluten-free tart crust from The Bojon Gourmet. It’s the perfect amount of crumbly and crispy and holds together like a dream. The filling is cashew-based with lavender flowers blended straight in. Fresh sliced strawberries top the whole thing off. Did I mention that berries and lavender are also a match made in heaven?!
19. Lavender Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate anything… yum. Check out this post on How to Make Chocolate Ganache. To make lavender chocolate ganache, just steep lavender flowers in 1 cup full-fat coconut milk just like you would make a lavender tea. Then strain and proceed with the recipe. Just be sure to use full-fat coconut milk. Non-dairy milks lower in fat are not ideal for making ganache and it’s highly likely it won’t set right.
Check out all the super delicious things you can do with ganache!
- Let it cool completely, whip it with a hand-mixer, and then use it as a frosting for cakes and cupcakes.
- Drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes, or fruit.
- Dip frozen bananas in it. Re-freeze until set and then enjoy.
- Dip fresh strawberries in it, refrigerate until set and then enjoy.
- Make cookie sandwiches.
20. Lavender, Ginger, & Mini Walnut Tea Time Cookies
These lavender and ginger tea cookies are vegan, gluten-free, and sweetened with only maple syrup. And those are the words that healthy cookie dreams are made of.
21. Honey Lavender Popsicles
Check out these Honey Lavender Popsicles from Broma Bakery. They look equally refreshing and delicious. If you’re vegan, just swap out the milk and Greek yogurt for non-dairy versions like coconut milk and coconut yogurt. And use maple syrup instead of honey.
Drink Recipes with Lavender
22. Lavender Lemonade
This classic herbal beverage never disappoints. Try this version from Learning Herbs. It’s simple to make and can be made with honey instead of granulated cane sugar, or even maple syrup. (And if you’re really loving the herbal lemonade idea, try this fresh-squeezed calendula lemonade too!)
23. Lavender, Elderflower, & Grapefruit Gin Fizz
Botanical booze is the best booze! Try this Lavender, Elderflower, & Grapefruit Gin Fizz recipe from Edible Seattle. Skip the egg white to make it vegan and make your own lavender simple syrup.
24. Iced Lavender Matcha Latte
I think this might be the most perfect, gently energizing drink for a warm spring or summer afternoon. This homemade Iced Lavender Matcha Latte is made with a DIY lavender simple syrup, and is a much, much healthier version than those found at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.
25. Healthy Lavender Hot Chocolate
Leaving this list on the high note of chocolate! Swap out your plain ol’ hot chocolate for this botanical upgrade. Try this Lavender Hot Chocolate next time you’re craving a warming mug of something delicious. Substitute a non-dairy whipped cream if vegan or make your own coconut whipped cream.
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DISCLAIMER: The information given in this article is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare practitioner before consuming certain herbs & medicinal foods, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking any prescription medications.
