What to do with fresh mint? How to keep it as fresher longer? How to store it? Get to know your mint better, along with some tips and tricks! Get the best mint recipes for desserts, sides and main course meals
Got fresh mint?
Its a race against time to make sure you use it before it looses it vibrant green luster!
The struggle is real, people. I feel your pain!
Tips for keeping mint fresh
- If you get the store bought fresh mint, wash it thoroughly first
- Gently dry it and then place it in a dry paper towel
- Place the paper towel in a ziplock bag and write the date on it
- In the refrigerator, keep it away from the yellow light. Place it in the darkest part of the fridge
- Use up the mint within 10 days
- Grow your own mint and keep it in your herb garden so it will stay fresh longer. Balcony and Garden Web has so many great tips on growing it indoors
- This is what it looks like after 10 days. Its a little worse for the wear, but, still in good shape
5 Ways to use fresh mint
- Dry it in the oven and use it in teas, coffee, ice cream or soups
- Mix it in vegan butter to make compound butter
- Put it in salad dressings
- Make lemonade out of it
- Turn it into a pesto recipe.
Growing mint
I have LOVED growing my own mint, but, sadly, they never stay alive for very long. I have tried growing them indoors and outdoors too, but, they didn’t last long.
Growing mint outside worked better for me. They mint plant lasted long than when I grew it indoors. I took lots of advice from the internet and the best advice came from Bonnie Plants. You can even contact them through the help button and ask them your questions.
As for growing it indoors, the best tips I have found are on Balcony and Garden Web’s site. They make it easy to grow mint indoors without any hassle
If you grow your own mint, share with me some of your tips. Comment below and let me know. I am always happy to hear from the experts.
What to make with mint
- Summer Fruit Salad
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Watermelon Salad
- Pear Salad Dressing
- Sugar Snap Peas with Mint Paste
- Za’atar and Mint Dressing
- Pasta with Grilled Veggies
- Pasta Sauce with Fresh Herbs
- Spicy Smoothie
- Carambola Jam
- Affogato
Questions about mint?
I love working with fresh mint and it shows! Here are some common questions I have been asked about mint.
If you have more questions about mint, feel free to comment below.
What to do with yellowed mint / rotten mint / browned mint?
If your mint is turning brown, yellow or any color that is not green, it can still contribute to something useful:
1) Put it in your indoor compost container.
2) Spread it around trees or outdoor plants and let it compost into the soil.
3) Put it vinegar, add baking soda and use this combination to clean surfaces of your home.
How long can mint stay fresh?
If stored properly, it can stay fresh for 2 weeks. Sometimes, I have been able to stretch it to 3 weeks
How many types of mint are there?
There are over 600 Varieties of mint (Source: UCDavies). Here are the 17 most common varieties of Mint
Can it be frozen?
Yes, they can be frozen, but, they have to frozen in the right way. Never freeze mint directly. Instead, put it in ice cubes, add extra virgin olive oil to it, cover the tray and freeze it.
You can also put it into a vegan compound butter recipe and freeze the butter.
Summer fruit salad
I love the taste of mint on fruits! It changes the flavors of the fruit for the better, don’t you agree?
This fruit salad recipe uses my mint vinaigrette recipe. The whole recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make and its beyond delicious
Take it to picnics, eat it for brunch, lunch or even dessert. I like the addition of quinoa to the recipe because it adds extra nutrition to it
Frozen hot chocolate
There is nothing better than drinking a frozen hot chocolate on a HOT summer day!
Don’t just take my word for it, make it today and you will see what I mean.
In the milk, I steeped a leaves of mint and then added the other ingredients when the milk cooled. Its so very easy that you can make it every day of summer
Top it with vegan whipped cream and some chocolate syrup! You have earned it.
Watermelon salad
The has a few mint leaves in it, as well as the pear salad dressing. This salad is a fun salad to make for summer that happens to be picnic friendly too.
It takes less than 10 minutes to make, so, run to the kitchen and make it now
Pear salad dressing
This is now my all time favorite salad dressing. I love its simplicity and its light taste
The biggest selling point for it is that its a no-oil salad dressing! how cool is that?
Sugar snap peas
Why it plain old sugar snap peas when you can eat them with fresh mint!
I muddled fresh mint, salt, ginger and a couple other ingredients. Then, I sauteed sugar snap peas before mixing in the mint paste
Za’atar and mint dressing
There isn’t a better aroma than when za’atar and mint come together!
This salad dressing is, by far, the most aromatic salad dressing ever. Its perfect for a fruit salad or a regular salad
Pasta with grilled veggies
Every time I think of pasta, I think of the sauce. How do I make it without marinara sauce?
This time, I made it with a mint, parsley, sun-dried tomato sauce. Add grilled veggies to it and this is the perfect pasta recipe
Pasta Sauce with fresh herbs
Fresh Mint, butter, parsley, breadcrumbs and pasta!
What else is there to say about this recipe! Its a quick and easy pasta recipe for any day of the week
Spicy smoothie recipe
This is not your average smoothie recipe!
There is spice and mint in it. You have to try it to know why I love it so much
Carambola jam
Mint is great in any jam recipe, especially a fruity one.
This is a carambola with kiwi jam recipe and its beyond delicious
Matcha affogato
Muddle mint, add matcha and some sweetness.
Mix it with ice cream and you have the perfect dessert on your hands
Now that you are a mint aficionado, impress your friends with your knowledge. Pin it, share it on Facebook and Tweet about it! Be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Adekoku says
Koku
I always mix mint and Ginger in hot water, it helps digestion and stomach clumps
Healing Tomato says
That does sound really good, Adekoku. The powers of ginger and mint together have a very healing effect on the body. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Caz says
My husband and I are South Arican. One thing we love is a lamb chop hot off the Braai (bbq) my husband makes a homemade marinade with fresh mint, lemon juice and steak and chop seasoning which he combines and leaves the chops overnight refrigerated. Best ever!!!!
Grace says
Love the post and love mint. Don’t forget you can also make a Mojito. You can see my recipe for the ultimate Mojito cocktail at gardening4joy.com.
Healing Tomato says
Ahh, Mojitos! How could I have missed that, lol. Yes, mint and mojitas are a match made in heaven.
Michele Sturkie says
I’m growing mint in my garden for one recipe so I found yours and I’m going to try them! But this is how I use mint: watermelon cubed or balls (using a small scoop), pour Midori (melon liqueur) over it, add julienned mint, let sit overnight in the fridge. Very refreshing (and adult!) the next day…we take this on a boat ride for a hot day. Delicious!
Healing Tomato says
How interesting, Michele. I have never tried it your way. I am making a note of it and will try it over the weekend. Thanks for the information