Can thyme and rosemary be used together?

Thyme and rosemary are two of the most popular herbs used in cooking. They both have strong, distinctive flavors that complement many dishes. But can they be used together? The short answer is yes! Thyme and rosemary pair very well together and are often used in combination.

The flavors of thyme and rosemary

First, let’s look at the flavors of each herb individually:

• Thyme has a penetrating, pungent taste. It has subtle minty notes and lemon accents. Thyme is commonly described as being herbal, woody, and earthy.
• Rosemary has a piney, woodsy flavor with subtle notes of citrus and camphor. It has a strong, refreshing herbal quality.

While the flavors of thyme and rosemary are distinct, they share some similar herbal, woody qualities. When combined, these two herbs balance each other nicely.

Dishes that use thyme and rosemary

Here are some examples of dishes and foods that traditionally contain both thyme and rosemary:

• Herb roasted vegetables and potatoes: Tossing vegetables like carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, and squash with fresh thyme and rosemary enhances their natural sweetness and imparts wonderful aroma.
• Meat rubs and marinades: Blending thyme and rosemary creates an intensely flavored rub for meats like chicken, beef, lamb, and pork.
• Stews and braises: Adding sprigs of both herbs to long-cooked stews and braised meats gives layers of herbal flavor.
• Bread and scones: Combining thyme and rosemary produces a fragrant, savory flavor in breads and scones.
• Pizza: Fresh or dried thyme and rosemary make excellent additions to pizza sauce and sprinkled over the top.

The herbs pair well in both Mediterranean and French style cooking. Thyme and rosemary work great with foods like tomato, lemon, garlic, onion, mushrooms, chicken, fish, lamb, beef, eggs, grains, beans, and olives.

Benefits of using thyme and rosemary together

Using thyme and rosemary together has several advantages over using just one herb:

• It creates more complex, layered flavor in recipes.
• The two herbs balance and complement each other’s flavors.
• You get the benefits of both herbs in one dish.
• It prevents any one herb flavor from overpowering a dish.
• Thyme and rosemary contain different scent compounds, so the aroma is more interesting.

Additionally, thyme and rosemary may provide some similar health benefits when consumed, like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.

Tips for cooking with thyme and rosemary

Here are some tips for getting the most flavor and aroma from thyme and rosemary:

• Use fresh herbs whenever possible for the best flavor. If substituting dried, use about half the amount that the recipe calls for.
• Add thyme and rosemary early in cooking processes like braising and stewing so the flavors have time to meld.
• For roasted vegetables and meat, add herbs in the last 10-15 minutes only to prevent burning.
• Finely chop or sprinkle them over dishes right before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.
• Combine whole herb sprigs with vegetables, potatoes, and proteins when roasting for easy removal later.
• Store fresh thyme and rosemary properly refrigerated in loose plastic bags for up to a week.

Herb combinations that work well with thyme and rosemary

Here are some other herbs that pair deliciously with a thyme and rosemary blend:

Herb	Flavor Notes	Good In
Oregano	Woodsy, slightly bitter	Pizza, pasta, Greek dishes
Marjoram	Warm, floral	Meats, stews, vegetables
Sage	Savory, minty	Pork, poultry, stuffing
Parsley	Fresh, grassy	Salads, sauces, grains
Tarragon	Licorice, anise	Chicken, fish, sauces

As shown in the table, herbs like oregano, marjoram, and sage have similar robust herbal flavors that blend nicely with thyme and rosemary. Meanwhile, parsley and tarragon brighten and balance the blend with grassy and anise notes.

Sample recipes using thyme and rosemary

Here are the ingredient lists for some sample recipes that effectively use a thyme and rosemary blend:

Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

• 1 whole chicken, patted dry
• 1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 lb potatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Rosemary Thyme Focaccia

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for greasing
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
• Flaky sea salt, for topping

Beef Stew with Rosemary and Thyme

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/4 cup flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Conclusion

Thyme and rosemary are very complementary herbs that work great used together in a wide variety of savory dishes. Their woodsy, herbal flavors balance each other out beautifully. From roasted vegetables and meats to soups, stews, breads, and more, this herb duo adds wonderful aroma and depth of flavor. With proper storage and preparation, anyone can easily incorporate these two versatile Mediterranean herbs into everyday cooking.