I planted mint in my garden once, thinking I’d use a few leaves here and there.
Within a month it had taken over an entire corner of the yard, and I had to get creative fast. 🌿
That’s how most of these recipes came to be. Some are things I make on repeat, some are dishes I picked up from other home cooks, and a couple are twists on recipes I’ve already shared here.
If you’ve got a bunch of mint sitting in your fridge or garden right now, this list should keep you busy for a while.
Savory Mint Recipes
Mint pesto pasta. Swap half the basil in a classic pesto for fresh mint, then toss it with warm pasta and toasted pine nuts. The mint keeps it lighter and brighter than a regular pesto.
Mint chutney. Blend mint, cilantro, green chili, lime juice, and a little yogurt for a South Asian style condiment that goes with just about anything fried.
Cucumber mint salad. Thin cucumber slices, chopped mint, a squeeze of lime, and a pinch of salt. Ready in five minutes and it cools you down instantly on a hot day.
Lamb with mint sauce. A classic pairing for a reason. The sharpness of mint cuts through the richness of lamb better than almost any other herb.
Mint yogurt dip. Stir chopped mint into plain yogurt with garlic and a pinch of cumin. Great with grilled meats or as a dip for flatbread.
Watermelon feta mint salad. Cubed watermelon, crumbled feta, torn mint leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil. One of the easiest summer sides you’ll ever put together.
Minted pea soup. Blend cooked peas with a handful of mint and a little cream. Serve warm or chilled depending on the season.
Mint and lime rice. Fold chopped mint and lime zest into freshly cooked rice for a side dish that pairs well with just about any curry or grilled dish.
Mint yogurt marinade for chicken. Blend mint, yogurt, garlic, and lemon juice, then marinate chicken for a few hours before grilling. The yogurt tenderizes while the mint adds brightness.
Mint tabbouleh. A parsley and mint heavy salad with bulgur, tomato, and lemon juice. Mint plays a bigger role here than most tabbouleh recipes give it credit for.
Sweet Mint Recipes
Mint chocolate chip ice cream. I’ve already shared my full no-churn version of this one, and it’s still one of the most requested recipes I make.
Mint brownies. Add a thin layer of mint frosting between two brownie layers for a version of the classic mint chocolate combo.
Chocolate mint cookies. Chopped fresh mint folded straight into a chocolate cookie dough gives a fresher flavor than extract alone.
Mint chip milkshake. Blend vanilla ice cream with a handful of fresh mint and a few chocolate chips for a milkshake that tastes closer to homemade than anything from a drive-through.
Fresh mint fruit salad. Toss any combination of berries, melon, and citrus with torn mint leaves and a touch of honey.
Mint sugar cookies. Add finely chopped mint to a basic sugar cookie dough for a subtle herbal note under all that sweetness.
No-bake mint cheesecake bites. Mix mint into the cream cheese filling, then set in mini muffin liners in the fridge instead of baking.
Mint chocolate bark. Melt chocolate, sprinkle with chopped mint and a little sea salt, then let it set. About as low effort as dessert gets.
Mint Drinks
Lime mint cooler. I’ve already shared this one in full, and it takes exactly five minutes to put together.
Non-alcoholic mojito. Muddle mint and lime, add a touch of sugar, top with soda water and ice. All the flavor of the classic without the rum.
Mint lemonade. Muddle mint into your regular lemonade for a version that tastes noticeably more refreshing than plain lemonade.
Cucumber mint infused water. Add cucumber slices and mint leaves to a pitcher of water and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours.
Mint iced tea. Steep black or green tea, then add a handful of fresh mint while it’s still warm so the flavors combine before you pour it over ice.
Minty berry smoothie. Blend frozen berries, yogurt, and a small handful of mint for a smoothie that tastes brighter than a typical berry blend.
Mint julep. A classic Southern drink built on crushed mint, sugar, and bourbon over crushed ice. Skip the bourbon for a kid-friendly version.
Tips for Using Fresh Mint
Store it like flowers. Trim the stems and place mint in a glass of water on the counter, then loosely cover with a plastic bag. It’ll last well over a week this way.
Add mint at the end of cooking. Heat dulls its flavor fast, so stir it in right before serving whenever possible.
Slap it before you use it. A quick clap between your palms releases the oils and makes the aroma noticeably stronger, whether it’s going in a drink or a salad.
Freeze extra leaves in oil. Chop mint, pack it into an ice cube tray, and cover with olive oil. Great for dropping straight into soups or marinades later.
FAQ
How long does fresh mint actually last? Stored properly in water in the fridge, fresh mint can last up to two weeks. Left loose in a bag, it usually wilts within a few days.
Can I substitute dried mint in these recipes? For drinks and salads, no, since so much of the appeal comes from the fresh oils and texture. For cooked dishes like soups, dried mint can work in a pinch at about a third of the amount.
What pairs best with mint besides chocolate and lime? Watermelon, peas, lamb, cucumber, and yogurt are all classic pairings that show up again and again across different cuisines.
Is spearmint or peppermint better for cooking? Spearmint is the more common choice for savory dishes and drinks since it’s milder. Peppermint has a stronger, sharper flavor that works better in desserts.
Wrapping Up
Mint has a way of showing up in almost every cuisine, from a South Asian chutney to a Southern bourbon drink, and there’s a reason for that.
It’s one of the few herbs that works just as well in a savory dish as it does in dessert.
Try a few of these out and let me know in the comments which one became your new favorite. Got a mint recipe of your own that didn’t make this list? Share it below, I’m always looking to add more to my rotation.