Every time you open your spice cabinet, is there a jar of herbs de Provence staring at you? Or maybe by now, it’s made its way all the way to the back of the cabinet where it will live out its life in the shadow of your beloved garlic powder, cinnamon, and cumin? What’s a veggie lovin’ person to do when all the world wants you to sprinkle your herbs de Provence on chicken?! Don’t fret; here are 21 plant-based (vegetarian and vegan) recipes with herbs de Provence.
Plus, check out all these reasons that herbs de Provence deserves to move to the front of your spice cabinet!
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Why Herbs de Provence?
Herbs de Provence FAQs
21 Plant-Based Recipes with Herbs de Provence
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Why Herbs de Provence?
And to that, I say “why not?!” Just kidding. But in all seriousness, in the United States, herbs de Provence is very under-utilized. Instead, Italian seasoning, while very similar, gets all the attention.
Granted Italian seasoning has its place and purpose, but herbs de Provence brings all the romance of the French countryside to your meals. Think Italian seasoning herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. And then add in tarragon, marjoram, savory, and fennel. In North America, we even like to add lavender to our herbs de Provence blends.
Here are some reasons to consider using more herbs de Provence in your cooking:
- It’s a time-saver. Reach for one bottle of dried herbs instead of many. The spice cabinet can be overwhelming and decision fatigue is real. An all-in-one bottle of herbs de Provence solves that problem.
- It beats the herb and spice rut you’re stuck in. I’m guilty of it myself. Out of the 50+ herbs and spices in my kitchen, I’m reaching for the garlic, cumin, coriander, and turmeric 90% of the time. You and your taste buds deserve to really live it up with some well-deserved variety.
- It helps to promote healthy digestion. Many of our most common culinary herbs and spices, like rosemary, thyme, basil, and lavender are incredibliy beneficial to our digestion. They act as carminatives to help ease the digestive process. And in doing so, we may experience less gas and bloating, indigestion, constipation, painful stomach cramping, and more. Plus, when our digestion is functioning optimally, we’re better able to absorb more of the vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat.
- It’s delicious and versatile! Herbs de Provence adds a burst of flavor to everything from meats like chicken, beef, and pork to roasted veggies, cheeses, herbed butter, soups, stews, eggs, and more. You can use it to make kitchen pantry staples like an herbs de Provence salt, an herb-infused honey for marinades or drizzles over biscuits, and infused olive oil.
All Your Questions Answered
What spices are in herbs de Provence?
It varies widely. Traditionally, herbs de Provence was not a specific herb blend as it is today. Rather, it was a term used to describe the typical herbs of the season in the Provençal region of the French countryside. Like curry powder, herbs de Provence has many forms.
Typical herbs used in herbs de Provence blends include:
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Basil
- Savory
- Marjoram
- Oregano
- Tarragon
- Fennel
- Lavender (More typical of North American blends.)
What’s the difference between Italian seasoning and herbs de Provence?
Italian seasoning and herbs de Provence are very similar and because they contain many of the same herbs, they’re often interchangeable. However, aside from one being Italian and the other French, there are key differences. While both herb blends typically contain at least rosemary, thyme, and oregano, herbs de Provence also commonly includes savory, marjoram, and tarragon. Sometimes fennel, sage, and even mint are added.
However, the addition of lavender to herbs de Provence is perhaps the most obvious difference. Funnily, lavender is more typical of North American blends and is generally not used in traditional blends. It’s said that lavender was added because it created more intrigue and French novelty to the product in the North American market.
How to make herbs de Provence?
Making herbs de Provence is simple, especially because there is no one right or wrong way to make it. Traditionally, recipes varied due to personal tastes and perhaps the seasonal availability of the herbs. Here’s a simple recipe to start:
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 1 1/2 tablespoons marjoram
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 1 1/2 teaspoons basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons tarragon
- 1 teaspoon lavender
- 1/2 teaspoon mint
Add all ingredients to a spice grinder and pulse together a few times to fully incorporate. (Alternatively, you could add all the ingredients to a mortar and pestle and grind to a consistent texture. I find that the unpolished granite mortar and pestles work best for grinding dried herbs and spices.)
Store the blend in an airtight container in a cool and dry location out of direct sunlight for up to 1 year.
What does herbs de Provence taste like?
Herbs de Provence is a blend of highly aromatic herbs. The dominant flavors tend to be thyme, oregano, and rosemary. It’s definitely a savory blend of herbs. If you’re familiar with the taste of Italian seasoning, herbs de Provence is very similar. Although, I find herbs de Provence to have a little bit more of a dynamic flavor. It’s a little bit more interesting than Italian seasoning.
Where can I find herbs de Provence?
You can find herbs de Provence in the herb and spice aisle at most conventional groceries. If you have a hard time finding it, there are many places to purchase herbs de Provence made with high-quality ingredients online. Here are some of my favorites:
- Certified Organic Herbs de Provence from Mountain Rose Herbs
- Simply Orangic Herbs de Provence
- Frontier Co-Op Herbs de Provence
Or purchase the individual herbs and blend your own! Mountain Rose Herbs is my long-time go-to for high-quality medicinal and culinary herbs and spices.
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21 Plant-Based Recipes with Herbs de Provence
It doesn’t have to be complicated! In fact, it’s better when it’s not. Herbs de Provence, despite its air of French mystery, is an incredibly versatile blend of aromatic herbs. I hope these recipes will inspire the confidence you need to incorporate this unique, cooler-than-Italian-seasoning blend into more of your meals.
1. Herbs de Provence Roasted Potatoes
Try these Herbs de Provence Roasted Potatoes from Darn Good Veggies. These potatoes are so simple to make and are a major upgrade from potatoes roasted with just rosemary. Fresh garlic, aromatic olive oil, fragrant Mediterranean herbs, and crispy potatoes… need I say more?
2. White Beans with Herbs de Provence
These White Beans with Herbs de Provence from Food52 take another simple side dish and give it a French twist. White beans are combined with carrots, celery, potatoes, and kalamata olives for an easy bean dish. Serve it warm over a bed of hearty greens or as a holiday side dish.
3. French Lentil Soup with Herbs de Provence
I often forget about lentil soups. I don’t know why, but they just seem to fade from my memory. And then I’ll find a bag of lentils in the pantry, make a big pot of soup, and wonder why I don’t cook lentils more often. I love a good lentil soup! This French Lentil Soup with Herbs de Provence from VegNews is a basic lentil soup with onions, celery, and garlic. There’s a little sherry wine thrown in and of course, the herbs de Provence are the flavor-making star.
4. Herbs de Provence Infused Olive Oil
There’s just a special kind of alchemical magic that happens when you infuse a fat with aromatic herbs. The fat accentuates and synergizes the flavor in a way that nothing else can mimic. Plus, I love things that save me time. Instead of reaching for the oil and all the herbs to drizzle over my veggies, I’m reaching for an all-in-one bottle of magic. Try drizzling this Herbs de Provence Infused Olive Oil over your veggies before you roast them.
5. Herbs de Provence Roasted Carrots
Here’s another simple side dish. These Herbs de Provence Roasted Carrots from Cooking on the Weekends would be a great addition to a holiday meal or a unique item to bring to your next potluck. However, last time I made herb-roasted carrots, I ate them all straight off the pan.
6. Ratatouille de Provence
This Ratatouille de Provence is a one-pot dish perfect for summer. Tomatoes, zucchini, and summer squash are tossed with Niçoise olives, Dijon mustard, herbs de Provence, and a touch of red wine.
7. Provencal Bean Salad
This Provencal Bean Salad from Sharon Palmer is a beauty! Fresh green beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans are tossed in zesty herbs de Provence vinaigrette for a downright lovely side dish.
8. Root Vegetable Stew with Herbs de Provence & Dumplings
This Root Vegetable Stew with Herbs de Provence & Dumplings from Culinary Vagabond is sure to warm your bones on a chilly day. I love when you can make an entire meal in one pot. Plus, stews are always easy to customize to the ingredients you have on hand. If you’ve vegan, just substitute vegan versions of the butter, milk, and cream used in this recipe.
9. Cauliflower Provencale
This Cauliflower Provencale is another side dish option that comes together incredibly quickly. I love how you can add an amazing herb blend like herbs de Provence to practically anything and it’ll taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. This dish comes together in 20 minutes!
10. Hearty Lentil Mushroom Ragu
The Simple Veganista’s Hearty Lentil Mushroom Ragu is another quick and easy, warming, and ultra-nourishing excuse to whip out your herbs de Provence. She suggests serving it over warm pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes. I think it would make a nice topping for a stuffed baked potato too!
11. Baked Pasta with Herbs de Provence White Sauce & Mushrooms
A hearty pasta dish you can make in a single pan?! I’m there. Try this Baked Pasta with Herbs de Provence White Sauce from Shiny Veggies. You just throw some spaghetti together with some fragrant herbs, veggies, and broth in a casserole dish and bake.
12. Vegan Herb Crackers
Stir 2 whole tablespoons into these easy almond flourVegan Herb Crackers from Elena’s Pantry. With 5 ingredients and 30 minutes of your time, you can have homemade crackers that are healthy and the perfect pairing to #16 below! (You could also dress these Stinging Nettle Crackers up with some herbs de Provence too!)
13. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Herbs de Provence
Even Kroger is hopping on the train to the Meditteranean countryside with this slow cooker recipe. Whether you’re using your grandmother’s old crockpot or a fancy new multi-use InstaPot, these Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Herbs de Provence are a breeze to throw together.
14. Quinoa Provençal
Try this classic grain and veggie dish from Exceedingly Vegan. This Quinoa Provençal is simple and easily customized to include your favorite veggies.
15. Vegan Split Pea Soup
Another delicious recipe from The Simple Veganista. I enjoy a good Vegan Split Pea Soup nearly as much as I do a hearty lentil soup. This one has cabbage, carrots, a hearty helping of herbs de Provence, and it sounds like a warm hug on a cold day.
16. Vegan Herbs de Provence Chevre
This DIY cashew-based Herbs de Provence Chevre from Fragrant Vanilla Cake is a vegan dream come true and makes for a great appetizer or addition to a charcuterie board. Serve with crackers, spread over toasty French bread, or plop a dollop over some warm pasta and veggies. Hint: Save yourself some time and use a pre-blended mix of herbs de Provence.
17. Chickpea Drop Biscuits
Who doesn’t love a good biscuit?! These gluten-free Chickpea Flour Drop Biscuits from Power Hungry are made with chickpea flour instead of traditional grain flour. Stir 2 teaspoons of herbs de Provence in for a French twist.
18. Spicy Vegan Tofu Scramble with Herbs de Provence Potatoes
This is the classic vegan breakfast: tofu scrambled with veggies and served with a side of herb-roasted potatoes. This Spicy Vegan Tofu Scramble looks delicious! But I’ll be honest, I’m a one-pan kind of cook 85% of the time and would probably throw those potatoes in the sauté pan with the herbs de Provence and cook to a nice golden crisp before scrambling in the tofu and veggies.
19. Herbs de Provence Popcorn Salt (or All-Purpose Seasoning Salt)
Use this recipe for Easy Popcorn Seasoning Salt, but substitute 3 scant tablespoons of herbs de Provence. Not only does it make a delicious and unique popcorn seasoning salt, but it’s a good salt to keep on your dinner table for an extra dose of flavor, nutrition, and plant medicine.
20. Carmelized Fennel & Herbed Potenta with Mushrooms
Here’s another hearty dish that you can easily add some herbs de Provence to. I think this recipe was actually made for herbs de Provence! You can substitute 2 teaspoons of dried herbs de Provence for the fresh herbs used in this Caramelized Fennel & Herbed Polenta recipe. Or heck, add them both!
21. Herbs de Provence Infused Honey
Make your own Herb Infused Honey using your homemade (or store-bought) herbs de Provence blend! I’m a big fan of the “instant” herbal honey in which you just stir dried powdered herbs into honey, but you could go the route of a traditional heated or unheated infusion with which you’d then strain the herbs from the honey. Drizzle your herbs de Provence honey over warm biscuits or cornbread. You can also use it as a marinade or in your salad dressings.
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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.
