What Is Herbes De Provence?

Open a jar of herbes de Provence and the fragrance immediately suggests southern France: sun-warmed hillsides, wild thyme, rosemary bushes and long lunches beneath under plane trees or along an idyllic beach.

Herbes de Provence is a widely used dried seasoning blend associated with Provence and the Mediterranean cooking of southeastern France. There is no single definitive recipe, but the traditional foundation is usually thyme, rosemary, oregano and savory.

Marjoram, basil, fennel, tarragon or bay leaf may also appear, depending on the producer.

Lavender, now strongly associated with the mixture in the United States, is less traditional than many people assume. It was added primarily to blends marketed outside France, where Provence’s famous lavender fields had become an irresistible symbol of the region.

Used too enthusiastically, it can make food taste distinctly perfumed; a restrained amount can add a delicate floral note.

Although French cooks have seasoned food with local herbs for centuries, the familiar packaged mixture is relatively modern with commercial blends becoming widely available during the second half of the 20th century.

Its great virtues are convenience and versatility. A pinch of two of Herbes de Provence complements roast chicken, lamb, grilled fish, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes and white beans. Add it to marinades, tomato sauces, soups or vinaigrettes, or mix it with olive oil and brush it over vegetables before roasting.

Because dried rosemary and thyme need time to soften and release their flavor, the blend works best when added early in cooking. A modest half-spoonful can transform the simplest ingredients, bringing fragrant and unmistakably Provençal flavors to your everyday or holiday table.

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The Jasper & James Guide to Herbes de Provence

While the standard French mix is 27% rosemary, 27% oregano, 27% savory and 19% thyme – just four ingrediens – good luck finding that in the U.S.

Burlap and Barrel's herbes de Provence is closest. We reccomend it and another one that more or less follows the traditional French blend.

Selection	Style	Lavender	Why it stands out
Burlap & Barrel Herbes de Provence	Traditional	No	Best overall. Rosemary, savory, thyme and oregano grown in Provence; fresh, robust and well balanced. About $1
Straight From France Herbes de Provence	French imported blend	No	Good Amazon choice and excellent value in a large package. Contains thyme, rosemary, basil, marjoram and savory

As we have always used a French blend, we haven't tried these. The opinions represent an amalgam of what others are saying online:

The Spice House Herbes de Provence	American-French	Yes	Best widely available premium blend. Complex but balanced, with rosemary, savory, thyme, fennel, tarragon, marjoram and a restrained amount of lavender
Penzeys Herbes de Provence	Floral and complex	Yes	Particularly aromatic, combining 11 herbs. Excellent with roast chicken, pork and vegetables, but more floral than a traditional French blend
Simply Organic Herbes de Provence	Organic supermarket blend	Yes	Best easy-to-find organic option. Includes thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley, oregano, marjoram and lavender

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Our verdict:

• Best overall: Burlap & Barrel

• Best with lavender: The Spice House

• Best Amazon option: Straight From France

• Best supermarket option: Simply Organic

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