12 Clever Uses for Leftover Herbs • Schisandra & Bergamot

Fresh herbs bring incredible flavor and fragrance to your cooking, but it’s easy to end up with more than you can use before they wilt. Instead of letting them go to waste, there are plenty of clever ways to put every last sprig to good use.

With a little creativity, leftover herbs can elevate meals, refresh your home, and boost self-care—saving money and reducing waste. Here are 12 smart uses.

Freeze in Olive Oil

A close-up of an ice cube tray filled with olive oil, some compartments containing herbs like rosemary and peppercorns. — Photo Credit: AtlasComposer/Envato

Chop herbs and freeze them in ice cube trays with olive oil. They’re perfect for tossing into soups, stews, or sautéed dishes.

Infuse Vinegar

Glass bottles filled with water and flower petals sit on a wooden table surrounded by assorted dried and fresh flowers, with a mortar and pestle in the background. — Photo Credit: ShintarTatsiana/Envato

Add leftover herbs to a bottle of vinegar for a fragrant and flavorful base. Herb-infused vinegar makes a great salad dressing or marinade.

Make Herbal Butter

A white bowl containing herb butter sits on a wooden surface, with fresh green leaves, coarse salt, and a metal whisk nearby. — Photo Credit: HeikeRau/Deposit Photos

Mix softened butter with finely chopped herbs. Freeze or refrigerate it to enjoy on bread, vegetables, or grilled meats

Dry for Later Use

Bundles of dried plants or herbs are hanging upside down from a wooden structure, likely for drying or preservation. — Photo Credit: alexandrabeganskaya/Envato

Bundle herbs and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place. Once fully dried, store them in jars to season meals year-round.

Blend Into Pesto

A glass jar filled with green pesto sits on a checkered cloth next to a white spoon and a small jar containing fresh green leaves. — Photo Credit: HeikeRau/Deposit Photos

Basil isn’t the only herb for pesto—cilantro, parsley, or even mint make delicious variations. Blend with nuts, garlic, oil, and cheese for a fresh sauce.

Add to Homemade Tea

Two cups of tea, one yellow and one brown, with a bowl of loose leaf tea and scattered dried herbs and tea leaves on a purple surface. Antique spoons and dried lemon slices are visible. — Photo Credit: wirestock/Envato

Dried herbs like mint, chamomile, or lemon balm can be steeped for a calming herbal tea. Mix and match flavors for unique blends.

Infuse Water or Cocktails

A clear glass of water with a sprig of rosemary submerged inside, placed on a light-colored surface. — Photo Credit: Aleruana/Envato

Add sprigs of mint, basil, or rosemary to water, lemonade, or cocktails. It’s a refreshing way to elevate your drinks.

Create Herb Salt

Three wooden scoops on a brown plate, each holding a different type of salt: fine salt, herb-infused coarse salt, and coarse sea salt. — Photo Credit: baspentrubas/Envato

Chop herbs finely and mix with coarse salt. Once dried, use it to season meats, veggies, or pasta dishes.

Bake Into Bread

A log of herbed goat cheese with edible flower petals on a cream plate, surrounded by assorted fresh flowers, with one sliced piece beside the log. — Photo Credit: tsableaux/Envato

Add chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme to bread dough. It infuses every slice with aromatic flavor.

Freshen the Air

A hand lifts the lid off a pot on a stove, revealing vegetables such as onions and greens simmering in water. — Photo Credit: Som3_mor3/Envato

Simmer herbs like lavender, thyme, or mint in a pot of water on the stove. It naturally fills your home with a clean, herbal fragrance.

Make an Herbal Scrub

A jar of coarse bath salt sits on a white towel with a small green plant branch beside it. — Photo Credit: marevgenna1985/Envato

Mix herbs with sugar and coconut oil for a natural exfoliating scrub. Rosemary or mint works especially well for a refreshing feel.

Feed Your Compost

Two people add fresh green grass clippings into a wooden compost bin outdoors. — Photo Credit: RossHelen/Envato

If you’ve run out of ideas, toss leftover herbs into the compost bin. They’ll enrich your soil and help future plants thrive.

Leftover herbs can be transformed into flavorful dishes, drinks, or natural remedies. With a little creativity, every leaf finds a purpose.