What Are Mint leaves and How Can I Use Them?

If mint leaves have turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use them with confidence and how to choose them, cook them, store them, what to substitute, and 667 recipes to try them in.

What are mint leaves?

The leaf, fresh or dried, is the culinary source of mint. Fresh mint is usually preferred over dried mint when storage of the mint is not a problem. The leaves have a pleasant warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste.

Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, and ice creams. In Middle Eastern cuisine, mint is used on lamb dishes, while in British cuisine and American cuisine, mint sauce andmint jelly are used, respectively.

Mint is a necessary ingredient in ** Touareg tea**, a popular tea in northern African and Arab countries.

Alcoholic drinks sometimes feature mint for flavor or garnish, such as the Mint Julep and the Mojito. Crème de menthe is a mint-flavorer liqueur used in drinks such as the grasshopper.

**Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth rinses, toothpaste, chewing gum, desserts, and candies.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find mint leaves: Mint leaves are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Mint leaves are a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

薄荷叶

British (UK) term

Mint leaves

en français

feuilles de menthe

en español

hojas de menta

How much do mint leaves weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using mint leaves

There are 667 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Lentils & Rice (Mujadara)

This is a "three-ingredient" anti-inflammatory Lebanese-inspired side dish (or vegetarian main) made with brown rice, lentils, and caramelized onions. Instant pot ready directions included.

Tabouli Herb Salad

Lebanese tabbouleh herb salad heavy on fresh parsley and mint, fine bulgur, lemon and olive oil. Served on romaine leaves, the proper Middle Eastern way.

Fresh Garden Mint Ice Cream

Fresh garden mint ice cream made with crushed pineapple, real mint leaves steeped in sugar syrup, and a splash of creme de menthe. A cool, herby summer dessert that earns its garden name.

Cold Minted Pea Soup

Chilled minted pea soup with Boston lettuce and fresh mint, pureed silky and served cold. A vegetarian summer starter that takes 15 minutes on the stove.

Sugar Snap Peas with Mint

Very easy vegetarian recipe that highlight the sweetness and crispness of sugar snap peas.

Fresh Tabouli

Authentic Lebanese tabouli with bulgur, mountains of fresh parsley and mint, tomato, scallions, lemon, and olive oil. A bright, parsley-forward Middle Eastern salad.

Minted Split & Fresh Pea Soup

Minted split and green pea soup blends earthy split peas with sweet green peas and fresh mint. A bright, low-fat soup that works hot in winter or chilled in summer.

Pasta Shells with Salmon, Tomatoes & Toasted Bread Crumbs

This easy and simple recipe also came out delicious. Lemon juice added a touch of refreshing taste, and the overall flavour was well balanced. Giving this dish a five star.

Montreal's Tabbouleh Salad

Authentic Lebanese tabbouleh with mountains of parsley, just a touch of bulgur, fresh mint, tomatoes, and lemon. Levantine herb salad in 20 minutes.

Easy Mint Peas

Quick, easy and refreshing. Serve this tasty and light side dish with any your favorite meat dishes.

Minted Peas & Rice with Feta

It tasted very refreshing and flavorful. The leftover was kept in the fridge and had it for brunch today, even better.

Easy Quinoa Tabouli

Easy quinoa tabbouleh: ripe tomatoes, parsley, scallions, and fresh mint tossed with cooked quinoa, lemon juice, and oil. A gluten-free Middle Eastern salad meant to rest overnight.

Middle Eastern Kebabs

Middle Eastern lamb kebabs (kofta) blend ground lamb with garlic, ginger, cumin, mint, and parsley before grilling on skewers. Serve with pita, salad, and yogurt for an authentic mezze dinner.

Minty Lamb Burgers

Minty lamb burgers blend ground lamb with grated onion, garlic, and fresh mint, then grill hot and fast over coals. Mediterranean-style burger ready in 25 minutes.

Cucumber & Yogurt Dip

A quick and easy side dish that can be served with any Indian or hot main dish helps cool down the spiciness and bring the refreshing taste.

Cucumber & Yogurt Dip

A quick and easy side dish that can be served with any Indian or hot main dish helps cool down the spiciness and bring the refreshing taste.

Tabouli with Parsley, Scallion, & Mint

Refreshing Bulgar salad with garbanzo beans (chickpeas).

Loaded Vegetable Burger

Loaded vegetable burger with corn, mushroom, peppers, spinach, carrot, and potato bound with egg white. Served with mint yogurt sauce. Vegetarian patties.

Pineapple Smoothie

Pineapple buttermilk smoothie blends frozen tropical fruit with tangy buttermilk for a frothy 5-minute breakfast or post-workout drink. High in fibre, low in calories, no banana required.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Squares

Creamy cheesecake bars with fresh raspberries and a chocolate crust.

Pork Chops & Sugar Snap Peas with Mint Julep Glaze

Delicious pork chops are seared in a hot skillet, sugar snap peas are cooked in a flavorful broth, which makes this one-skillet meal that's quick, easy to prepare and perfect for a week day dinner.

Yogurt with Cumcumber & Mint (Kheere Ka Raita)

Cool, creamy yogurt stirred with grated cucumber, fresh mint, roasted cumin, and a pinch of cayenne. This classic kheere ka raita is the essential Indian side dish that calms the heat and refreshes the palate.

Cold Yogurt Gazpacho

Cold yogurt gazpacho with grated cucumber, fresh mint, dill, and garlic. A no-cook chilled soup inspired by Bulgarian tarator that's ready after a 2-hour chill.

Easy Dill Tzatziki

I put it on lettuce, eat it with pita chips, or serve it with meat. Always have some plump kalamatas on hand when eating it. So delicious to dunk them in the sauce.

Summer Watermelon Salad

A fresh and tasty combination of salty, juicy and sweet perfect for a hot day, especially served in the watermelon shell.

Asparagus & Mint Frittata

Seasonal asparagus, fresh mint, parsley leaves, and parmesan cheese together make a delicious frittata that fits in any moment.

Spicy Winter Vegetable Chowder

A warming chowder of turnips, mushrooms, lima beans, and tomatoes seasoned with cumin, fennel seeds, and chili powder in turkey stock. Hearty cold-weather comfort in a bowl.

Chocolate Fresh Mint Ice Cream

Store-bought ice cream can never beat homemade ice cream, such as this chocolate fresh mint ice cream. It tastes minty-chocolaty, silky and rich. You won't believe it's actually made with 1% milk.

New Delhi-Style Chick Pea Hummus

Hummus, perfect for dipping all kinds of veggies or for pita bread or a replacement from mayo.

Minty Apple Tomato Chutney

No-cook minty apple tomato chutney with Granny Smith apples, ripe tomatoes, bell pepper, raisins, and fresh mint. Cures for ten days into a tangy condiment.

Hari Roti

The best thing of this recipe is that you don't have to wait the dough to rise, you can make these rotis happen within about half an hour. And they taste delicious!

Sugar Snap Peas with Mint & Ham

Very easy recipe that highlight the sweetness and crispness of sugar snap peas with combine perfectly with the salty ham.

Mint Iced Green Tea

Green tea with fresh mint leaves, adding lemon juice and honey, wonderful drink.

Mihshi Malfuf Bi Zayt (Meatless Cabbage Rolls)

Mihshi malfuf bi zayt (meatless cabbage rolls): Lebanese vegetarian cabbage rolls stuffed with rice, chickpeas, tomato, and parsley, simmered with garlic, mint, and lemon. Served cold or lukewarm.

Israeli CousCous & Cucumber Salad

Israeli couscous and cucumber salad tosses toasted pearl couscous with crisp cucumber, tomato, lemon, and a handful of fresh parsley and mint. A bright, herby Mediterranean side that eats clean and refreshing.

Toasted Pita & Pinto Bean Salad

Crispy toasted pita bread with seasoned pinto beans, diced cucumber, tomato and fresh lettuce, easy and tasty.

Faki (Hellenic Lentil Soup)

Nice vegan soup. Interesting method, surprising a bit. I used fresh oregano. Thanks.

Curried Corn & Crab Cakes

Tasty and good for you too. The mint, cilantro, crab and corn go very well together.

Lamb Meatballs, Persian Style

Persian lamb meatballs (kufteh) blend ground lamb with bulgur, pine nuts, fresh dill, mint, cumin, and coriander, then bake until juicy. A traditional Iranian main dish.

Sauteed Bok Choy with Cashew Sauce

Quick stir-fried bok choy tossed with a creamy Thai-inspired cashew sauce flavored with ginger, basil, and mint. Ready in 15 minutes for a vibrant vegetable side.

Pea-Mint Sauce

A very refreshing and tasty sauce! We had lots of frozen peas and lots of fresh mint growing at our backyard, this recipe was perfect for us to use up some of the peas and mint.

Indian Cilantro Rice with Cashew Nuts & Raisins

This flavorful Indian rice is cooked with chopped cilantro, mint, garlic, onion, cumin and raisins, there are lots of flavor on this simple rice plate, and it is an easy recipe to follow!

Greek Pasta Salad with Feta & Chicken

So easy to make, and the dish came out super tasty. Instead of green bell pepper, I used sweet red bell peppers, didn't have mint, so used fresh basil leaves instead. Yum.

Mint & Cucumber Raita

This is an awesome Raita (cucumber and yogurt) with the fresh zing of mint which goes well with lamb or to cool off your taste buds with a spicy curry or any other hot and spicy dish.

Cucumber Raita

Eat with Indian or Lebonese style flat breads. Great as a side with barbequed lamb.

Mango Mint Salsa

Fruity, sweet, tangy and minty. This salsa make a perfect accompaniment with grilled or pan seared pork chops for a speedy weeknight dinner.

Greek Brown Rice Salad

A hearty Greek brown rice salad tossing nutty whole-grain rice with tomato, cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, and creamy avocado in a lemony, minty dressing. A fresh Mediterranean grain bowl.

Quinoa & Smoked Tofu Salad

Delicious and loaded with flavor. Quinoa is so versatile to cook. Smoked tofu you can find in Asian grocery store, which does add some smoky flavour and meaty texture. Definitely a keeper!

Mixed Fruit Salad with Citrus Mint Dressing

Mixed different kinds of melon together, use mint, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice to make a fresh dressing, a good start of a day with these fresh fruits salad.

Decadent Blackberry Ice Cream

Seedless blackberry ice cream made by straining the berries through cheesecloth, simmering the juice into syrup, and folding into heavy cream. Smooth, intensely fruity, and free of seedy texture.

All 667 recipes