As autumn settles in, so do the comforting flavors that define our favorite fall dishes. From savory roasts to hearty stuffing, fall herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme bring warmth and depth to seasonal recipes, making them a must-have in any kitchen this time of year. Whether you’re looking to experiment with something new or enhance a classic dish, these herbs are here to elevate your favorite foods. Let’s discover the season’s most popular herbs, how to use them, and a few recipes that showcase their unique flavors.
List of Fall Herbs
Here’s a list of some of the most popular herbs that shine during the fall season. Each has a distinct flavor profile and works beautifully in a wide variety of dishes, from roasted vegetables to sauces, stews, and beyond.
Each of these herbs brings something unique to the table, whether it’s a woodsy aroma, a peppery bite, or a subtle sweetness. Below, we’ll explore their flavor profiles, popular uses, and ideal substitutes.
Herb Details and Uses
Rosemary
- Description: Known for its pine-like aroma and slightly peppery taste, rosemary adds a robust flavor to dishes, especially when used in hearty recipes like roasted meats and vegetables.
- Common Uses: Pairs well with lamb, chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, bread (like focaccia), and soups.
- Substitutes: Thyme, sage, or marjoram.
- Popular Recipes:
Sage
- Description: Sage has an earthy, slightly minty flavor with hints of pine and citrus. Its velvety leaves lend warmth to savory fall dishes.
- Common Uses: Great for stuffing, sausage, pork dishes, roasted butternut squash, brown butter sauces, and pasta.
- Substitutes: Marjoram, thyme, or rosemary.
- Popular Recipes:
Thyme
- Description: Thyme has a delicate, slightly minty flavor with earthy undertones. It blends well with other herbs, making it versatile for many fall dishes.
- Common Uses: Common in soups, stews, roasted vegetables, and poultry, and lemon-based dishes.
- Substitutes: Oregano, marjoram, or rosemary.
- Popular Recipes:
Marjoram
- Description: Marjoram has a mild, sweet flavor similar to oregano, but more delicate and with citrusy, woody, and floral notes.
- Common Uses: Works well in sauces, soups, and stuffing.
- Substitutes: Oregano, thyme, or basil.
- Popular Recipes:
Chives
- Description: Chives have a mild onion flavor and are often used fresh as a garnish, bringing a light touch to both savory and creamy dishes.
- Common Uses: Garnish for soups, potatoes, compound butters, cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs.
- Substitutes: Green onions or leeks.
- Popular Recipes:
Oregano
- Description: Oregano has a bold, peppery flavor that enhances Italian and Mediterranean dishes but also adds depth to fall recipes.
- Common Uses: Great in pizza and pasta sauces, meat rubs, salad dressings, seafood, chicken, and vegetable dishes.
- Substitutes: Marjoram, basil, or thyme.
- Popular Recipes:
Parsley
- Description: Parsley has a fresh, earthy taste that adds brightness to a dish. It’s a versatile herb that works as both a garnish and a flavor booster.
- Common Uses: Perfect for soups, sauces, salads, chimichurri, lemon-based dishes, eggs, fish, and as a garnish for many dishes.
- Substitutes: Cilantro or chervil.
- Popular Recipes:
Winter Savory
- Description: Winter savory has a peppery flavor with hints of mint and thyme, making it a versatile herb for heartier dishes. It can also be used as a salt substitute in low-sodium recipes.
- Common Uses: Complements beans, green vegetables, soups, stews, stuffing, chicken, and sauces. It’s also a staple in Herbes de Provence.
- Substitutes: Thyme, rosemary, or marjoram.
- Popular Recipes:
- Herbes de Provence (see compound butter recipe, below)
Garlic
- Description: Garlic has a strong, pungent flavor that mellows and sweetens when cooked. It’s a staple in many fall recipes for its depth and versatility.
- Common Uses: Used as a base in savory dishes, roasted for bread, or added to oils, butters, marinades, and dressings.
- Substitutes: Shallots or garlic powder.
Featured Recipes with Fall Herbs
Now that we’ve covered the essential herbs, here are a few recipes that bring out the best of fall flavors. These dishes are perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in and incorporate our favorite Martin’s products.
Herbes de Provence Compound Butter
This flavorful compound butter, featuring a blend of fresh herbs, is perfect for spreading on Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls or using as a finishing touch for meats and vegetables. The fragrant combination of thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, savory, and tarragon, with the addition of minced shallot, brings the essence of Herbes de Provence to your table for an elegant meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups salted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons each: fresh thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, savory, and tarragon, all chopped
- 2 tablespoons shallot, chopped
- Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, for serving
Instructions:
- Prepare Herbs: Finely chop all herbs and shallots.
- Cream Butter: In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to cream the butter until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix in the chopped herbs and shallots until well incorporated and evenly distributed.
- Shape and Chill: Transfer butter to a piece of wax paper, shape into a cylinder, and roll to form. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Serve and Store: Slice and serve on Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 6 months.
Full Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/herbs-de-provence-compound-butter
This butter makes a wonderful addition to any dinner table, adding a powerful flavor boost to your favorite Martin’s rolls or bread.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread Stuffing with Sausage
The combination of fall herbs and sweet flavors can create complex, unforgettable dishes. This stuffing recipe balances the sweetness of Martin’s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Potato Bread with savory sausage and aromatic herbs like sage and thyme. The result is a unique, mouthwatering stuffing perfect for your Thanksgiving table.
Ingredients:
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, plus more for the baking dish
- 12 Cups Martin’s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Potato Bread, cubed (approx. 1.5 loaves)
- 1 Pound Hot Italian Sausage
- 3 Ribs Celery, chopped
- 1 Small Head Fennel, chopped
- 1 Large Onion, chopped
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Sage, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, chopped
- 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
Instructions:
- Prepare Bread Cubes: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 3-quart baking dish. Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes, until lightly golden. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add sausage, cook until browned (about 6 minutes), and then drain excess fat. Add sausage to the bowl with the bread.
- Cook Vegetables: Lower heat to medium, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet along with celery, fennel, onion, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft (10-15 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer mixture to the bowl.
- Combine and Toss: Add chicken broth, sage, and thyme to the bowl, tossing until well mixed. If the mixture is very hot, let it cool slightly before adding the eggs, then toss to coat.
- Bake Stuffing: Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for about 35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil (without sealing) to prevent over-browning.
Full Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/cinnamon-raisin-bread-stuffing-with-sausage/
This stuffing is a delightful twist on a traditional recipe, offering a touch of sweetness that balances beautifully with the hearty sausage and herbs.
Sausage Gravy Bombs
Sage is the quintessential herb for flavoring breakfast sausage, adding warmth and depth to the flavor profile. These Sausage Gravy Bombs use Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, filled with a sage-infused sausage gravy, making them a perfect cozy fall breakfast or brunch item.
Ingredients:
- 12 Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, left out to dry slightly
- 1 Pound Ground Sausage
- 1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk
- 1 1/2 Cups Half and Half
- 1/3 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Sage, chopped
- 1/4 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Cold Butter, optional
- Parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions:
- Prepare Bread Bowls: Preheat oven to 350°F. Use a paring knife to cut a hole in the top of each roll and hollow out the inside, leaving 1/4” walls. Press the top crust layer into the bottom of each roll to create extra support. Bake for 5 minutes to dry and crisp the rolls slightly, then set aside.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat until no pink remains.
- Make Gravy: Sprinkle flour over the sausage and stir for 2 minutes until the flour is cooked. Gradually add the half and half and milk, stirring to combine.
- Season and Thicken: Add garlic salt, sage, seasoned salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil for 1 minute, then reduce to a simmer. Continue stirring to loosen any browned bits, allowing the gravy to thicken.
- Finish: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. For an extra-silky finish, stir in cold butter if desired.
- Assemble: Ladle sausage gravy into each prepared bread bowl. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Full Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/sausage-gravy-bombs.
These Sausage Gravy Bombs are a delicious and hearty way to start a fall morning, combining the comforting flavor of sage sausage with the pillowy sweetness of Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls.
Fall Herb Gardening
For those interested in growing their own herbs, fall can be a great time to plant certain varieties. Herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme are relatively hardy and can survive cooler temperatures, especially in milder climates. When planting fall herbs, consider a few tips:
- Timing: Plant early in the season to give herbs time to establish before frost.
- Indoor Growing: Herbs like chives, parsley, and oregano can be grown indoors if space or climate is a concern.
- Harvesting: Regularly trim herbs to encourage healthy growth.
Fall Herbs Infographic:
Whether you’re planting herbs in your garden or simply enjoying them in your favorite recipes, fall herbs offer endless possibilities for creating warm, comforting dishes. Try experimenting with these flavors and bring a taste of autumn to your table with Martin’s famous bread and rolls!
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