Salads are delicious. Some lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, and other vegetables make great side dishes and even entrees. Add a few herbs and the flavor can be enhanced. The best herbs that you can add to your salads are fresh herbs. Dried herbs are best used in salad dressings and vinegars. Here are a few herbs that you can add to your salads to give it more color and flavor.


Basil

This is one of the most used herbs in the culinary arts. Basil leaves should be cut fresh when added to salads. To keep fresh basil around all the time, keep a pot on your kitchen window that you can access anytime you need it to freshen up a dish.

Blessed Thistle

Yes, the thistle that is determined to grow in your gardens and yards has been said to be used in salads. Many people who live off of the land swear by this. The thistle leaves and the stems are used by some in salads and other dishes.

Borage
The flower of the borage has graced many a salad. It has a taste that has been associated with cucumbers. Give this flower a try in a nice summer salad.

Calamus

The calamus looks like a tall grace that can grow as high as six feet tall. It is the buds of the leaves that are used in salads and are quite tender.

Calendula

Many of you might know the calendula as the yellow marigold. It can be found in most spring landscapes. Use the bright petals of this annual flower to give color to your salads. The leaves can also be added to salad greens.

Chervil

This spring plant is great added to spring greens. The flavor is subtle and a great partner with other greens and herbs. You will be surprised at the pleasant flavor your salads receive with chervil.

Chives

The leaves of the chives are used in many green salads. They make attractive garnishments and add a little flavor. This is one herb you should keep in your kitchen/herb garden.

Clove Pink

This herb is a flowering plant that is related to the carnation. The petals from this attractive flower give your salads add color depth. Look beyond carrots and tomatoes for dressing up your salads.

Coriander

When it comes to the coriander, the seeds and the leaves are commonly used in salads around the world. The seeds give your salads a little crunch.

Cresses

The three cresses that are used in salads are the garden cress, water cress, and nasturtium. Using these fresh leaves is common in Europe.

Dandelion

To many, the dandelion is a weed that special formulas of poison have been devised. What our ancestors used dandelions for would amaze the average person. The leaves and the flowers of these plants are wonderful additions to salads. Give them a try. You might be surprised at what you have been killing.

Dill

The leaves and seeds of the dill plant can be used to dress up your salad. This herb has a distinctive flavor that you will recognize anywhere, after all it is the dill plant that gives us the dill pickle.

Evening Primrose

You might think that the evening primrose is just a flowering plant. What you might not realize is that the shoots of this plant are very tender and great additions to any salad.

Fennel

The feathery leaves of the fennel can also be added to your salads. This herb is used throughout the Mediterranean area in a huge variety of foods.

Hyssop

This strong flavored herb has been used over the centuries in salads. Today many find the herb too overpowering for many salads.

Lemon Balm

Fresh lemon balm leaves are another addition you can look for in your salads. The flavor is potent and should not be used in large quantities.

Marjoram

The sweet flavor of marjoram is not commonly used in today’s salads as they were a few hundred years ago. Many people still say that they are wonderful additions to spring and summer salads.

Marshmallow

Take the tender tops of the marshmallow plant in early spring and add them to your salads. They are delicious. (Yes, marshmallows get their names from this plant.)

Mints

There are many different types of mints. Each one of them has the potential to give you an extra kick in your salad. If you like the taste of mint, add some mint leaves to your cold salads.

Nasturtium

This herb belongs to the cress family that was mentioned earlier. The pretty flowers as well as the leaves can be added to any cold salad.

Parsley

It is not uncommon to find parsley as a garnishment for any meal. Do more with it and put it in your salads.

Purslane

If you like the taste of asparagus, purslane might be an herb that you will like. Add it to your salads and other dishes for a little variety and adventure.

Rue

If you are familiar with rue, you are aware of its strong order. Yet, you can find rue in salads especially in Europe. Add just a little rue to your salads to give it a unique flavor.

Salad Burnet

This herb seems to be made for salads. The leaves are great to be included in spring salads. You will find the leaves tougher than lettuce or spinach which might lead you to cut them up in smaller pieces. Salad Burnet gives your salad a slight cucumber taste.

Savory

Summer savory has strong yet not overpowering flavor that is great for any dish especially in salads. The leaves are perfectly tender for such dishes.

Spiderwort

This plant is actually a wildflower that you can find growing out on the prairie. Use the flowers to add texture, flavor, and color to your summer salads.

Sweet Cicely

This plant has leaves that can be added to your salads. Do not go too far with the leaves as the flavor can be too strong. Just add a little bit.

Tarragon

This is one of the most popular herbs in French cuisine. Add the fresh leaves to your salad, but do not add too much. Just a small amount of these leaves can enhance your salad. Too many leaves can overpower all the other flavors.

Thyme

Use this herb on almost anything. Vegetables love to be paired with thyme which means that your salads will welcome it. There are many varieties of thyme such as lemon that can give your salad different flavors.

Violet

These flowers can be found in the wild or in our windowbox. Many people love the look of the violet. They also use these flowers to decorate cakes and dress up salads.

Yarrow

Many might be surprised to find this herb as a salad herb. It has such a bitter taste yet was commonly used with other greens during the time of Shakespeare. Experiment a little and see how it tastes with your spring or summer salads.