Summer Cooking with Herbs: Seasonal Dishes

Make the most of summer produce with fresh herb recipes!

Summer is peak herb season, with gardens overflowing with lush, aromatic leaves and Farmer’s Markets brimming with locally grown produce. Cooking with fresh herbs is the best way to highlight seasonal produce and add layers of bright, unforgettable flavor to every meal.

Herb-Forward Salads and Dressings

• Add chopped parsley, dill, basil, or chives to green salads.
• Whip up an herby vinaigrette: olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, Dijon, fresh herbs.
• Quick Herb Vinaigrette
  
  
  
• 3/4 cup light flavored oil
• 1/4 cup herb or rice vinegar (sweet and savory work well)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (savory or sweet)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place all the ingredients in a mason jar and shake vigorously until emulsified. Serve immediately. Makes 1 cup. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week.

 

• Toss tomato, cucumber, and feta with oregano and mint for a Mediterranean touch. Or add our Greek Blend Seasoning.
• which is perfect on tomatoes.

Grilling with Fresh Herbs

• Make marinades with rosemary, thyme, and sage for meats and veggies.
• Easy Marinade
  
  
  
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1/8 cup cider vinegar  
• 2 clove garlic, crushed 
• 1 bay leaf 
• 1 Tbls. finely chopped onion
• ½ tsp. brown sugar
•  ½ tsp. fennel seed
•  ½ tsp. salt 
• 1/8 tsp. pepper 
• 2 tsp. fresh, 1 tsp dried herbs of your choice

Combine ingredients in a jar or cruet and shake well. Pour over cooked or uncooked vegetables, pasta salad, or chicken or beef.  Allow to marinate 2 to 8 hours, then grill, bake or broil as desired.

• Create herb butters with parsley, garlic, and chives to melt over grilled corn or steaks. Check out our previously posted herb butter recipes.
• Use sturdy herbs like rosemary or thyme as skewers for kebabs.

Light, Summery Pastas and Grain Bowls

• Toss pasta with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.
• Make tabbouleh with fresh parsley and mint, bulgur, lemon juice, and tomatoes.
• Add chopped herbs to rice or quinoa salads with summer vegetables,
•  Tabbouleh
• 1 cup bulghur wheat
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts (1 bunch)
• 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (1 bunch)
• 1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch)
• 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the bulghur in a large bowl, pour in the boiling water, and add the lemon juice, olive oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir, then allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour. Add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper; mix well. Season, to taste, and serve or cover and refrigerate. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours. 

 

Closing

Your summer harvest deserves center stage. By weaving herbs into every dish, you celebrate the freshest flavors of the season while making meals that are as colorful as they are delicious.

Tea Blend for the Zodiac of Cancer - Tea Blend of the Month

Cancer is a Water sign ruled by the Moon—deeply emotional, nurturing, intuitive, and protective. A tea blend for Cancer should be calming, heartwarming, and supportive of emotional balance and digestive ease (since Cancer also rules the stomach).

♋ Cancer Zodiac Tea Blend

Purpose: To soothe the heart, calm the mind, and nurture the body—perfect for Cancer’s caring, home-loving nature.

• 1 part chamomile
  (Calming, anti-inflammatory, and emotionally soothing—perfect for Cancer’s sensitive spirit.)

• 
  
  

• 1 part lemon balm
  (Bright, lemony, and uplifting—helps ease anxiety and balance moods.)

• 1 part rose petals
  (Supports the heart and offers gentle emotional comfort and self-love.)

• ½ part peppermint
  (Adds a refreshing note and supports digestion—important for this stomach-ruled sign.)

• ½ part oatstraw (optional)
  (Deeply nourishing, helps with stress, and gently uplifts while grounding.)

🫖 Directions:

Blend all herbs together and store in an airtight jar.

To Use: To brew, use 1 tablespoon of the blend per cup of hot water. Steep for 5–7 minutes, covered. Sweeten with honey if desired. Enjoy in a cozy nook with a blanket and a book—very Cancerian!

Need a gift for a Cancer Birthday?  Check out our Zodiac Blends!

Herbs for Summer Beverages: Teas, Shrubs & Mocktails

Cool off with refreshing, herb-infused drinks!

Summer heat calls for drinks that truly refresh. Why settle for boring store-bought options when you can craft your own beautiful, herb-infused beverages? From iced teas and tangy shrubs to sophisticated mocktails, herbs bring bright flavors and gentle wellness benefits to your summer sipping.

Iced Herbal Teas to Soothe and Refresh

• Brew strong herbal tea with mint, lemon balm, hibiscus, or chamomile. Chill and serve over ice with fresh citrus slices. Check out our Summer Tea Blends.
• Add a touch of honey or herbal simple syrup for gentle sweetness.
• Tip: Try cold-infusing overnight in the fridge for mellow flavor.
  
  
  
• Making Simple Syrup

o    1  cup sugar

o    1  cup water

o    1 cup loosely packed fresh herb leaves, savory or sweet you can use any herb or edible flower

Place sugar and water in a small pan over medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Add the herbs. Allow to steep until the liquid reaches room temperature (15-30 minutes) and strain and discard herbs. Place syrup in a glass container or squeeze bottle if you have it.  Cover and chill for a couple hours. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a month.  

Herbal Shrubs for Tart Complexity

• Make a shrub (drinking vinegar) with herbs, fruit, sugar, and vinegar.
• Basil-strawberry, rosemary-peach, or thyme-blueberry are classic summer combos.
• Mix 1–2 tablespoons of shrub concentrate with sparkling water for a sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktail.
  
  
  
• Roasted Raspberry-Thyme Shrub
• 2 cups raspberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 8 thyme sprigs (or 2 tsp dried)
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar

Place raspberries in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and toss with sugar, 6 thyme sprigs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight, until raspberries release their juice.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Bring the pan to room temperature.  Roast the raspberries and their juice for about 25 minutes until the berries start to float.  Remove the pan from the oven and mash the berries lightly with a spoon.  Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve over a measuring cup.  Pour vinegar over the berries in sieve and press to remove any last juice.  Pour liquid into a pint jar, add remaining thyme and cap with a plastic lid, shake and refrigerate 1 day to 1 week before using.  (Will keep up to 1 year in the refrigerator.)

TO USE: Combine 1 ounce of Shrub with 4 ounces of seltzer or sparkling water.

This recipe is from The Complete Guide to Pickling by Julie Laing (Rockridge Press:2020)

Elegant Mocktails with Garden-Fresh Flavor

• Muddle fresh herbs (like basil, mint, or lavender) with citrus or berries.
• Add simple syrup, club soda, or tonic for a refreshing fizz.
• Example: Faux Gin and Tonic with your own herbal gin blend and tonic water garnished with cucumber and lemon.

Thyme without Gin Mocktail

• Thyme Simple Syrup
• fresh lemon juice
• Substitute gin
• Garnish: thyme sprigs

To make as a single cocktail – 1 part thyme simple syrup, 2 parts fresh lemon juice, 1 part zero proof Gin or regular gin, add to a large rocks glass with ice and about 3 ounces of sparkling water – part as ¾ ounce jigger makes a 6-ounce cocktail.

Closing

Summer herbs are more than just pretty—they’re the secret to memorable drinks that cool and delight. Experiment with your garden bounty and toast to a season of herbal refreshment!

Moonlit Comfort Soak - Bath Blend of the Month

Here's a calming, nurturing Cancer Zodiac Bath Blend that reflects Cancer’s deep emotional sensitivity, love of comfort, and connection to water. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which governs tides, intuition, and the home—so this bath soak is all about soothing the senses and creating a cocoon of self-care.

♋ Cancer Zodiac Bath Blend

Moonlit Comfort Soak

For emotional balance, relaxation, and heart-centered restoration

• 1/4 cup chamomile flowers (calming, soothing for skin and spirit)
• 1/4 cup lemon balm (uplifting and gentle; helps ease anxiety)
• 2 Tbsp rose petals (emotional heart support, self-love)
• 1 Tbsp lavender buds (relaxing and comforting)
• 1/4 cup Epsom salt (muscle-relaxing and energetically grounding)
• 1/4 cup sea salt (cleansing and detoxifying)
• Optional: 3–5 drops chamomile or rose essential oil, added just before bath time (never directly to dry herbs for long-term storage)

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight jar. 

To Use: For each bath, scoop about 1/2 cup of the blend into a muslin bag, tea infuser, or directly into the tub (if you're okay with a bit of floating flora). Fill your tub with warm water, add the herbal blend, and let it steep for a few minutes before getting in. Soak for at least 20 minutes, ideally with candlelight or moonlight for the full Cancer effect.

Tip for Cancer Energy:

For extra comfort, pair your soak with soft music, a cup of warm tea made with Backyard Patch Cancer Herb Blend, and journaling or meditation to honor the nurturing, intuitive self.

Elevate Your Summer BBQ with Herbal Blends from the Lombard Farmers Market

Nothing says summer quite like the smoky aroma of food sizzling on the grill. Whether you're a weekend grill master or a casual backyard cook, using the right herbal blends can take your barbecue to the next level. At BackyardPatch Herbs, we’ve crafted blends designed to enhance meats, vegetables, and even grilled fruit, all while keeping things fresh and flavorful.

And what better place to grab the freshest ingredients than your local Farmers Market? Pair our Grilled Meat Rub, Paprika Chicken Rub, and BBQ Spice Blend with market-fresh produce and proteins for an unforgettable outdoor feast!

Grilling with Herbs: The Flavor Boost You Need

Herbs add depth, complexity, and balance to your grilling. Unlike traditional salt-heavy seasonings, our blends focus on fresh, homegrown flavors that complement rather than overpower.

🌿 Grilled Meat Rub – A balanced blend of garlic, onion, thyme, and other aromatic herbs that bring out the natural richness in beef, pork, and even portobello mushrooms.

🌶️ Paprika ChickenRub – A smoky, slightly spicy mix featuring paprika, rosemary, and a hint of citrus, perfect for chicken, turkey, and even shrimp skewers.

🔥 BBQ Spice Blend – The ultimate all-purpose BBQ seasoning with a savory, slightly sweet profile—ideal for ribs, burgers, or roasted corn on the cob.

Farmers Market-Inspired Grilled Recipe

Try this Herb-Rubbed Grilled Chicken with Summer Veggies, featuring our Paprika Chicken Rub!

Ingredients:

• 
  2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts
  
• 2 tbsp Paprika Chicken Rub
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 ear of corn, cut into rounds
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp BBQ Spice Blend

Coat the chicken with olive oil and Paprika Chicken Rub. Let marinate for 30 minutes. Toss the zucchini and peppers in olive oil and BBQ Spice Blend. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked. Grill the veggies and corn for 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve hot and enjoy the herbal-infused goodness!

Come See us in Person

This summer, stop by our local Farmers Market, if you are in Lombard, Illinois Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 7 PM and pick up your favorite Backyard Patch Herbs blends to make your grilling season unforgettable!