The welcoming, aromatic smell that fills the air as you put the beef pot roast into the oven is herbs de Provence. A blend of dried herbs, Herbs de Provence is an essential ingredient in French and Mediterranean cooking.
Herbs de Provence is famously known for its distinctive flavor in dishes such as chicken, roasted vegetables, grilled fish, salads, tomato-based soups, and stews like ratatouille.
In this blog, we will explore the history of herbs de Provence, what they are, and how you can make them yourself. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Herbs de Provence?
Herbs de Provence is a classic blend of dried herbs traditionally associated with the Provence region of southern France. This aromatic mixture is the heart and soul of many Mediterranean dishes, infusing food with a delightful blend of earthy, floral, and savory flavor.
Originally used in French country cooking, it has become a staple worldwide. The beauty of Herbs de Provence lies in its versatility.
It enhances the flavor of meats, vegetables, stews, and even breads. Whether roasting chicken or grilling vegetables, sprinkling this herb blend brings a vibrant, warm taste that’s hard to resist.
History of Herbs de Provence
Although Provence has been home to aromatic herbs for centuries, Herbs de Provence as we know it didn’t appear as a formal blend until the mid-20th century. Before that, local cooks gathered wild herbs growing in the countryside, like thyme, rosemary, and marjoram, to season their dishes.
Herbes de Provence originated in southeastern France, where summertime herbs are plentiful and used in daily cooking. At first, the term “herbes de Provence” described a general multipurpose mixture of herbs grown in the Provençal region during the summer.
The blend grew in popularity and became a more defined herb mixture in the 1960s. It was when Julia Child included a recipe for Poulet Sauté aux Herbes de Provence in her famous cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Julia was credited with defining the mixture and adding it to the culinary lexicon of chefs worldwide. Commercial varieties of the mixture began popping up in grocery stores, making the herb mixture more accessible.
In the 1970s, the French brand Ducros began packaging and selling Herbes de Provence spice mix to customers overseas. While you can purchase herbes de Provence in most supermarkets, making your own is just as easy. Plus, you can adjust the amounts and ingredients according to personal taste.
What Herbs Are in Herbes de Provence?
Herbs de Provence is an aromatic blend of dried Provencal herbs and spices.
Many herbs (and spices) can collectively be called herbes de Provence, but the basic recipe includes fennel seed, marjoram, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme. Other recipes include (or omit) basil, parsley, bay leaves, savory chervil, sage, oregano, mint, and lavender.
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Thyme – Adds a strong, earthy flavor.
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Rosemary – Provides a pine-like aroma.
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Oregano – Adds a hint of bitter taste to balance the sweetness of other herbs.
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Savory – A peppery herb that adds a little bite.
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Marjoram – A sweeter, milder cousin to oregano.
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Basil – Brings a fresh, sweet flavor.
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Tarragon – Adds a subtle licorice flavor.
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Lavender (optional) – Known for its floral aroma, lavender can elevate the fragrance and taste of the blend.
Herbs de Provence are most commonly used in French cuisine, but their flavors also pair well with Mediterranean cuisine, so they are used there, too.
How to Make Herbs de Provence?
The best part about Herbs de Provence is that you can easily make your blend using ingredients you may already have in your pantry. Also, you can add or omit ingredients as per your liking. Ready to mix up your batch? Let’s go step by step with this herbs de Provence recipe:
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Start by gathering the dried herbs you need. You can adjust the quantities based on your taste preferences, but here's a basic recipe to get you started:
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1 tablespoon dried thyme
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1 tablespoon dried basil
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1 tablespoon dried rosemary, crushed in a spice grinder
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1 tablespoon dried tarragon
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1 tablespoon dried summer savory
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1 teaspoon dried marjoram
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 bay leaf, crushed
Step 2: Mix the Herbs
Add all the herbs and spices in a mixing bowl and stir until combined. Ensure the herbs are thoroughly dried to ensure a long shelf life for your blend. Store your mixture in an airtight container to season meats and your favorite dishes.
Step 3: Store in an Airtight Container
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or spice jar. Store it in a cool, dry place. This French herbs mixture should last up to six months. Be sure to label the container so you don’t forget what’s inside!
Step 4: Get Cooking!
Now that you’ve got your homemade dried provençal herbs, add them to your favorite dishes. Whether roasting potatoes, grilling chicken, or seasoning a Mediterranean-inspired stew, this blend will add unmistakably French flavor.
Note: You can purchase premade herbes de Provence in grocery stores. Making your own is easy and allows you to personalize the blend of herbs and spices to fit your taste. You can add it to your favorite recipes or dish you’re cooking.
How to Cook With Herbes de Provence
Herbes de Provence is traditionally used on roast chicken, roast lamb, grilled fish, and roasted vegetables. Elevate your dishes by incorporating herbes de Provence in these creative ways:
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Season your meat or fish. Coat the beef in olive oil, season with kosher salt and herbes de Provence, and grill, sear, or roast according to your preference.
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Incorporate it into liquids. Whisk herbes de Provence into soups, stews, sauces, and salad dressings for extra Provençal flavor.
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Sprinkle it onto the grill. Add a pinch or two of Herbes de Provence to the coals of your grill when they’re hot to infuse the smoke with flavor.
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Learn simple flavor combinations. Certain herbs pair especially well with certain foods, and making your own herbes de Provence allows you to experiment with different ratios for different dishes. Try a tarragon-heavy blend for roast chicken, a rosemary blend for roast lamb chops, and a fennel blend for grilled fish.
The Final Favourite Flavor
Herbs de Provence are more than just a seasoning; they're a gateway to the fragrant, sun-soaked fields of southern France.
This is a step-by-step guide to making your own herbs de provence recipes with fine herbs. So, next time you’re whipping up dinner, sprinkle a little Herbs de Provence for a taste of Provence’s finest!
Whether using a store-bought blend or making your own, this herb mix will elevate your dishes and bring a touch of French charm to your kitchen. While you are at it, have a look at Raw Spice Bar for some interesting spice mixes.