Mint is a notoriously prolific plant. This plant can’t even be grown with other plants because it will take over and spread everywhere. Nevertheless, it’s easy-to-grow and tasty leaves make a wonderful addition to any garden. They come in 600 different types. If you have one in your backyard this year and are wondering how to make the most of the harvest, here are some smart ideas.
Steeping some tea is a delicious way to use mint when it’s taking over the garden. You can dry the leaves in a dehydrator or a low-temperature oven until they are completely dry. Then, put them in a glass jar and store them in the pantry. When you need a pick-me-up, you can use them to make warm tea. The fresh leaves can also be steeped in boiling water with honey, lemon slices, and ice cubes for a rich and flavorful iced tea.
If you’re used to sweet fruit jellies on toast (which are some of our favorites too), mint jelly might sound a little strange. Mint jelly, on the other hand, goes well with grilled or roasted lamb. It tastes great when spread on toasted bread for a hearty lamb sandwich.
You can’t go wrong with a classic pesto recipe. When it’s time for pizza night, though, pesto might save the day if you have too many mint leaves and not enough basil. This garnish is great on pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. It would also add a bright pop of flavor to your favorite Tuscan soup recipe.
Refreshing mint meets cream and sugar in this popsicle recipe. A cup of whole milk, whipping cream, sugar, and fresh mint leaves are all you need to make this delicious summer treat. Both kids and adults will beg you to keep these in the freezer all summer, so you might as well make two or three batches.
Mint is a versatile herb that can be used in both savory and sweet recipes If you’ve been blessed with a bountiful mint harvest, you may be wondering what to do with all those aromatic leaves Here are 10 delicious ways to enjoy your homegrown mint
Add It to Drinks
Mint is a classic addition to summertime beverages like mojitos, mint juleps, and lemonade Muddle fresh mint leaves into cocktails or add sprigs as a garnish Infuse mint flavor into iced tea, infused water, or smoothies. Mint also pairs deliciously with fruits like watermelon, strawberry, and lime.
Make Mint Ice Cubes
Freeze mint leaves or small sprigs into ice cubes to add refreshing flavor to summer drinks without diluting them. Just add the mint to your ice cube trays before pouring in water or juice and freeze overnight. Pop the cubes into a glass of lemonade, iced tea, or even just water.
Freshen Up Fresh Spring Rolls
The fresh, bright taste of mint perfectly balances the flavors of typical spring roll fillings like shrimp, chicken, rice noodles, and vegetables. Chop up fresh mint and sprinkle it into your spring roll wraps along with the other ingredients.
Make Your Own Mint Tea
Homemade mint tea is simple to prepare and tastes so much better than tea bags from the store. Heat water just short of boiling, then seep torn mint leaves for 5 minutes before straining and serving. Sweeten with honey if desired.
Make Mint Pesto
For an alternative to traditional basil pesto, use mint as the star ingredient. Blend mint, olive oil, garlic, parmesan, pine nuts, and a splash of lemon in a food processor. Toss with pasta or spread onto sandwiches and flatbreads.
Add It to Fruit Salads and Salsas
Mint’s fresh taste pairs perfectly with fruits like watermelon, honeydew, strawberries, peaches, and mango. Chop it up finely and mix into fruit salads. You can also add torn mint leaves to fresh fruit salsas served with fish, chicken, or pork dishes.
Make a Mint Oil Rub
Muddle mint leaves with olive oil to release the aromatic oils, then mix in other seasoning like garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper to make a zesty herb rub for lamb, chicken, or fish. Let the seasoned meat marinate for 30 minutes before grilling or roasting.
Whip Up Tabouli Salad
Traditional tabouli salad features mint as a star ingredient along with bulgur wheat, tomato, onion, lemon juice and olive oil. The mint adds a refreshing undertone to this tasty Mediterranean salad.
Make Mint Jelly
A classic condiment served with lamb, mint jelly is easy to make by infusing mint into an apple jelly base. Boil apple juice, vinegar, sugar and a large amount of fresh mint until thick. Strain out the mint and pour into sterilized jars.
Craft Mint Potpourri
Mint’s fragrant oils allow it to dry well for potpourri. Hang small bundles of mint to dry completely. Then layer the crumbled dry leaves into a bowl with other dried petals and flowers like lavender and rose. Add a few drops of essential oil for extra fragrance.
With so many options for using abundant mint, you can find creative ways to enjoy its flavor from summer through fall. From beverages to entrees, desserts, beauty products and more, mint is a versatile herb that keeps giving all season long.
Mint Ice Cubes
You know you need to stay hydrated in the summer, but drinking plain water day isn’t much fun. Instead of drinking soda or other flavored drinks, you can just grab some homemade ice cubes from the freezer and that fifth glass of water will taste much better.
Get the recipe from Food Republic
Cool mint and sweet-tart lemonade make a perfect pair. When you add fresh watermelon, you have the perfect summer drink to enjoy by the pool or at the beach. You could make this recipe into a refreshing watermelon mojito by adding rum and lime juice instead of lemon juice. It might become your favorite summer drink.
Infused vinegar is all the rage, and it’s easy as pie to make your own. A base vinegar, some fresh mint sprigs, and a few minutes on the stove to warm the vinegar up are all you need. You could adapt this recipe to make a purely mint vinegar, but we love the addition of rosemary. It turned out to be a beautiful vinegar that goes well with tomato soup, freshly sliced tomatoes, or to give Bloody Marys a nice kick.
Get the recipe from Larder Love
How to Harvest/Prune Mint & What to Do With All That Mint?
FAQ
What to do with mint leaves after picking?
What can I do with mass amounts of mint?
How do you preserve mint harvest?