Do Mint and Basil Go Together? A Guide to Pairing These Popular Herbs

Mint and basil are two of the most commonly used fresh herbs in cooking With their vibrant green colors and aromatic flavors, they can add a wonderful element to both sweet and savory dishes But do mint and basil actually complement each other when used together? Let’s take a closer look at pairing these herbs and how their flavors can work in harmony.

Understanding the Flavor Profiles of Mint and Basil

Before looking at how mint and basil can work well together, it’s helpful to look at how they taste on their own.

• Mint has a cool, refreshing taste with pronounced menthol and subtle spicy notes. It provides a bright pop of flavor and aroma that is both cooling and soothing. Mint is very versatile, used in everything from cocktails to desserts to savory dishes. It is essential in Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

• Basil tastes sweet and peppery, with hints of anise and clove. It imparts a warm, almost licorice-like aroma. The taste is robust and pronouned. Basil is usually found in Italian cooking, but it’s also used a lot in Southeast Asian cooking.

While mint and basil each have their own unique tastes, they do share some key commonalities that allow them to blend well:

• Both herbs have a slight spiciness and bold herbal quality.

• They add a vibrancy and freshness to dishes.

• When balanced properly, neither herb will overpower the other.

Since mint and basil have smells and tastes that go well together, they can make a very nice food pairing.

Are Mint and Basil Interchangeable?

While mint and basil complement each other as flavor partners, they are not necessarily interchangeable in recipes. Here are some of the key differences between the herbs:

• Basil has a much more assertive, pronounced flavor compared to the more delicate mint.

• Mint delivers a cooler, brighter taste, while basil is warmer.

• Basil stands up well to cooking applications like sauces and stews, whereas mint is best used raw.

• Mint pairs flawlessly with fruits and sweets, but basil does not.

If a recipe specifically calls for one of these herbs, substituting fully with the other is not likely to yield ideal results. However, you can combine proportions of each herb to balance the flavors if you don’t have just one on hand.

Cooking with Mint and Basil

When using mint and basil together in the kitchen, the key is balance so that neither herb dominates the other. Here are some tips for combining these herbs successfully:

• You should use more of the milder mint and less of the stronger basil. Start with twice as much mint.

• Chop the herbs into small, uniform pieces to allow their flavors to disperse evenly.

• Add the herbs simultaneously rather than sequentially so that the flavors can integrate.

• Incorporate the herbs at the end of cooking to retain their fresh tastes.

• For uncooked preparations like dressings, add one herb first and the other right before serving.

Here are some examples of recipes that benefit from the mint and basil pairing:

• Pesto – For a creative riff, use 2 parts basil to 1 part mint.

• Salad dressings and marinades – The herbs liven up oil and vinegar.

• Salsa verde – Blend into the classic Italian green sauce.

• Vegetable or fruit salads – Toss with melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, citrus.

• Grilled meats, fish and shrimp – Apply a mint-basil paste or sprinkle as garnish.

• Cocktails – Muddle into lemonade, mojitos, mint juleps, and fruit punches.

• Desserts – Add to ice cream, chocolate, fruit salads.

In these dishes, the combination of basil and mint creates a more dynamic and complex flavor compared to using either herb alone.

Growing Mint and Basil Together

If you want easy access to both mint and basil for cooking, consider growing them together in your herb garden. Here are some tips:

• Plant them in separate containers near each other for easy harvesting.

• Or plant far apart in a garden bed since mint spreads rapidly.

• Grow in full sun to partial shade depending on climate.

• Fertilize monthly during growing season.

• Water when soil dries out but avoid over-saturation.

• Prune back mint often and pinch basil for bushy plants.

• Harvest sprigs frequently to encourage new growth.

Having your own mint and basil plants allows you to always have a supply of fresh herbs to blend into recipes.

Storing Mint and Basil

To retain the fresh flavors of mint and basil after harvest, proper storage is key:

• Store unwashed sprigs loose in plastic bags in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

• For basil, trim stems and stand upright in water like a bouquet.

• Refrigerate for 5-7 days, changing the water every 2 days.

• Freeze chopped herbs in ice cube trays with a bit of oil for longer storage.

• Or make flavored oils, pesto or herb pastes to freeze.

• Air dry herbs separately – don’t use pre-mixed dried blends.

Following these methods will help you enjoy the dynamic mint and basil pairing all year round.

Should You Mix Mint and Basil?

While mint and basil each add their own vibrancy to dishes, thoughtfully combining them can create a very pleasant, aromatic flavor partnership. Much like their entwined growth habits in nature, their flavors beautifully complement and enhance one another. Just keep in mind the proper proportions and adding techniques when blending these herbs. Growing and cooking with mint and basil together will allow you to appreciate their amazing versatility.