I am never without homemade herbes de Provence in our kitchen. With so much in the south of France, this spice mix really speaks to my love of French cooking. I use it for anything I can do!
My mother’s French heritage had a huge influence on my upbringing, and because of her, I will always have a soft spot for French dishes like boeuf bourguignon and pâté. I’m no Julia Child (or even Martha Stewart for that matter!), but I try to incorporate French recipes into our diet whenever possible.
Many people think that French cooking is hard or complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.
The French cure for picky eaters
I have always been fascinated by French food culture and how even French children love a variety of foods. We can learn a lot from the French, especially in the way we teach our children to watch food. I actually dedicated a section of my Wellness Mama Cookbook to this article!
A big part of raising picky eaters is producing good-tasting, diverse children—like the ones in this spice blend.
What are Herbs de Provence?
The mixture originated in the south, or region of Provence, France, and was made from herbs that grow naturally in that area. The original combination of Provence herbs consisted of summer savory, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary. Later, lavender, fennel, and even orange zest were added to some versions. Most herbs de Provence spice blends in grocery stores include lavender and other herbs.
Not only do they taste great, but these herbs have strong anti-bacterial properties to help the immune system do its job. Among many other things, rosemary helps with memory, thyme is good for the lungs, and marjoram helps relieve nervous tension. Lavender is also good for relieving stress, orange zest is uplifting, and fennel helps digestion. Together, they make a powerful and tasty spice blend.
Herbs de Provence vs Italian Seasoning
Although I love both spices, they have some differences. Italian seasoning includes thyme and rosemary, but you’ll find spicy oregano and basil in there as well. And most versions of Italian seasoning don’t include marjoram or summer savory (and certainly not lavender)!
If you need a substitute for herbs de Provence, a simple recipe is summer savory, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary.
How to make Herbs de Provence
It’s super easy, but it does require an extra step compared to most of my spice blend recipes. I usually just put all the herbs in a jar, shake it up, and voila… I’m done. Since these herbs are usually whole, like fennel seeds or lavender buds, I quickly run through the food processor first. Not only does it make it easier to use in cooking, but the freshly ground herbs are fragrant and flavorful. Blending or chopping herbs releases more volatile oils for more flavor.
So what is herbes de Provence anyway, apart from sounding delicious? The answer is many!
How to Use This Domain
Herbes de Provence is very different. It can be described as bold, woody, and slightly floral. It goes well with almost any cut of meat (especially pork and poultry) and really complements most fish and seafood. I often add it to homemade soups and stews.
We like to mix up grass-fed butter ahead of time and keep it ready to add to veggies, sourdough bread, or cauliflower rice. It also makes a great addition to breakfast dishes like my favorite sous vide egg bites or homemade breakfast sausage.
Try adding herbes de Provence blended butter to grilled chicken before putting it in the oven. Since herbs are chunkier, not quite powdery, they work best when added at the beginning of recipes. This gives them a chance to add their own flavors to the dish. Equally delicious on roasted vegetables or potatoes.
Bonus… not only is it healthy and tastes great, but it fills the kitchen with amazing aromas!
You can certainly buy it at the store, but this combination of homemade Provence spices and other homemade spice mixes is a great way to save time and money. And this way, you know exactly how long it sits on the shelf! It is also a fun and easy kitchen project that kids can help make.
A homemade recipe for Herbs de Provence
Home-made herbs in Provence include herbs such as thyme and marjoram and lavender, fennel, and orange zest for a rich and flavorful blend of spices.
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Use a mortar and pestle or a food processor to easily grind any whole herbs, such as rosemary, lavender flowers, or fennel. Herbs should be coarse, not finely ground.
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If you are juicing an orange yourself, remove the zest from one fresh orange and dry in the oven on the lowest setting or in a dehydrator until completely dry.
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Combine all ingredients in a jar or bowl and mix.
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Store in an airtight container away from heat and light.
Nutrition Facts
A homemade recipe for Herbs de Provence
Amount Per Serving (1 tsp)
Calories 9
Calories from Fat 2
% Daily value*
Oil 0.2g0%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.04g
Monounsaturated fat 0.01g
Sodium 2 mg0%
Potassium 28 mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 0.04g0%
Proteins 0.3g1%
Vitamin A 131 IU3%
Vitamin C 2 mg2%
Calcium 60 mg6%
An instrument 3 mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Mix a teaspoon or two of this flavorful herb with softened butter to sauté vegetables, seasonal chicken or seafood, or use it to make your breakfast sauce.
- The total yield for this recipe is 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons of herbs de Provence.
Another Herbs de Provence Recipe
I usually buy my herbs in bulk online, but sometimes good ones can be hard to find in your local grocery store. If you’re looking for a recipe that doesn’t have the sweetness of summer or something new to try, I love this combination. Just process, combine, and store as above recipe. All of the following dried herbs:
- 2 TBSP thyme
- 2 TBSP rosemary
- 1 TBSP basil
- 1 TBSP oregano
- 1 TBSP summer sweet (optional but traditional)
- 1 tablespoon marjoram (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lavender buds (optional)
Have you ever used herbes de Provence? What are your favorite French flavors?
