Herbes de Provence is a fragrant blend of dried herbs that is commonly used in French cooking. It typically contains several herbs that are native to the Provence region of southeast France, hence the name “herbes de Provence” which translates to “herbs of Provence”. This aromatic blend adds a lovely pop of flavor and fragrance to dishes, especially roasted meats, vegetables, soups, and stews. So what herbs make up this iconic spice mix?
Common Herbs in Herbes de Provence
While there are many variations, herbes de Provence typically contains some combination of the following dried herbs:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Basil
- Lavender
- Savory
- Marjoram
- Fennel seed
- Sage
These herbs each add their own unique flavor profile to the blend. Thyme provides earthy, woodsy notes. Rosemary has a pine-like aroma. Oregano brings a touch of zest and bitterness. Basil adds a sweet, peppery punch. Lavender lends soft floral and honey notes. Savory provides a peppery bite. Marjoram has a gentle, sweet citrus flavor. Fennel seed gives a hint of licorice. And sage contributes an earthy, slightly minty taste.
Most Common Herbes de Provence Herbs
While the exact herb blend can vary, most versions of herbes de Provence contain 4-5 core herbs. The most essential herbs in the mix are usually:
- Thyme – Thyme is hands-down the herb that most defines the flavor of herbes de Provence. Its earthy, aromatic, and faintly sweet flavor serves as the foundation.
- Rosemary – The pine and lemon notes from rosemary are another very characteristic component. Rosemary pairs particularly well with roasted meats.
- Oregano – Oregano adds a nice savory kick and subtle bitterness to balance out the blend.
- Basil – Basil provides a sweet yet peppery accent.
Nearly all versions of herbes de Provence contain these four herbs. The other herbs like lavender, savory, and fennel seed are more variable.
Optional Herbes de Provence Herbs
In addition to the core herbs, herbes de Provence may also contain some of the following optional herbs in smaller amounts:
- Lavender – Lavender flowers add light floral notes, though some find the flavor too strong. It’s used sparingly.
- Savory – Both winter and summer savory add a peppery flavor similar to oregano.
- Marjoram – Marjoram has a subtle citrus and pine-like taste that rounds out the blend.
- Fennel seed – Fennel provides slight licorice or anise undertones.
- Sage – Earthy sage brings minty and herbal nuances.
- Tarragon – The faint anise flavor of tarragon nicely complements the other herbs.
- Bay leaf – Bay leaf contributes a subtly bitter, floral note.
These additional herbs enhance and augment the core flavors in the blend, but aren’t necessarily vital. Herbes de Provence can be tailored to personal taste preferences by playing around with these variable herbs.
How Much of Each Herb is Used?
There is no set ratio for how much of each herb is used in herbes de Provence. It’s open to personal preference based on which herb flavors you most want to highlight. However, here is a general guideline for the proportions:
- Thyme: 30-50%
- Rosemary: 20-35%
- Oregano: 5-20%
- Basil: 2-15%
- Lavender flowers: 2-5% (use sparingly)
- Savory, marjoram, fennel, etc: 1-5% each
As you can see, thyme and rosemary dominate, while the other herbs are used more sparingly to add accents. The total number of herbs in the blend is typically 4-6 types. Herbes de Provence is very customizable based on personal taste, but the core thyme-rosemary-oregano-basil flavors will always shine through.
DIY Herbes de Provence Recipe
Want to make your own herbes de Provence spice blend at home? It’s easy using this DIY herbes de Provence recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried savory
Instructions:
- Mix together all dried herbs and fennel seeds in a small bowl.
- Transfer to an airtight container like a jar or spice tin.
- Label jar and store in a cool, dark place. Will keep for up to 6 months.
- Use immediately or let flavors meld for a few days before use.
- To use – sprinkle blend on any roasted or grilled meats, fish, vegetables, pasta dishes, pizza, eggs, bread, compound butter, dressings, and more!
Adjust the proportions of each herb based on your tastes. Leave out lavender if you find it overpowering. You can also substitute dried marjoram, sage, or tarragon for the savory. Get creative and make it your own!
What Dishes to Use Herbes de Provence In
Here are some of the many savory dishes that herbes de Provence complements beautifully:
- Roasted chicken, beef, lamb, pork
- Grilled fish like salmon, halibut, tuna
- Sauteed vegetables like zucchini, carrots, potatoes
- Egg dishes like omelets, frittatas, quiches
- Salad dressings and marinades
- Soups and stews
- Tomato sauce
- Pasta
- Rice pilaf or risotto
- Roasted potatoes or root vegetables
- Vegetable dips like baba ganoush
- Bread and pizza dough
Herbes de Provence pairs especially well with tomato, lemon, olive oil, garlic, egg, and cheese. Use it to add instant flavor to any savory dish.
Substitutes for Herbes de Provence
Don’t have any herbes de Provence on hand? You can substitute with a combination of dried herbs you likely have in your pantry:
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme + 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary + 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme + 1/2 teaspoon basil + 1/4 teaspoon oregano + pinch lavender flowers
- 1 teaspoon thyme + 1 teaspoon basil + 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
While you won’t perfectly replicate the exact flavor, these substitutions will provide a similar herbaceous flavor profile in a pinch.
Where to Buy Herbes de Provence
Looking to buy some herbes de Provence for your spice collection? Here are some places you can readily find it:
- Grocery stores – Check the spice aisle
- Online – Amazon, Walmart, specialty spice sites
- Farmers markets – Artisan spice vendors
- Specialty shops – Kitchenware stores, gourmet grocers
When purchasing, look for herbes de Provence that smells vibrant, bright, and aromatic. Avoid any blends that smell dull or dusty. For maximum freshness, try buying herbes de Provence in smaller quantities and replenishing more often if you don’t use it quickly. Properly stored in an airtight container away from light and heat, herbes de Provence will retain its flavor for up to 6 months.
How to Store Herbes de Provence
To get the most shelf life and flavor out of dried herbs, store herbes de Provence properly by doing the following:
- Keep in a cool, dark place – away from heat, moisture and light
- Use an airtight container like a jar or spice tin
- Don’t open container frequently to minimize exposure to air
- Buy smaller quantities if you won’t use within 3-6 months
- Smell herbs periodically and replace if aroma fades
When stored optimally, herbes de Provence will retain its vibrant aroma and flavor for up to 6 months. Refrigerating is not necessary for dried herb blends.
Popular Brands of Herbes de Provence
Some top brands of packaged herbes de Provence include:
- McCormick
- Spice Islands
- Frontier Co-op
- Penzey’s
- Savory Spice
- Le Sanctuaire
- La Tourangelle
- Olivier & Co.
- Badia
- Epicure
High quality gourmet brands like Penzey’s and Savory Spice offer flavorful herb blends using premium ingredients. Organic options are also available for an herbicide-free choice.
Herbes de Provence vs Italian Seasoning
Herbes de Provence and Italian seasoning are two spice blends that are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do have distinct differences:
| Herbes de Provence | Italian Seasoning |
|---|---|
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So while they both contain common herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil, herbes de Provence has a more floral, pine-like aroma from the lavender and rosemary while Italian seasoning tastes robustly of oregano and basil.
Conclusion
Herbes de Provence is a fragrant dried herb blend that comes from the Provence region of France. It classically contains thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil as the core herbs, while lavender, fennel, savory and others are popular options. Use this aromatic seasoning to elevate roasted meats, vegetables, soups, and more with herby French flair. With its balanced combination of flavors, herbes de Provence is a great go-to spice mix to have stocked in your kitchen.