Eggs are a versatile food that can be prepared in many different ways. Whether scrambled, fried, poached or baked, eggs make a quick, protein-packed meal. While eggs taste great on their own, herbs and spices can enhance their flavor and open up many seasoning possibilities. But with so many herbs and spices to choose from, which ones pair best with eggs?
Herbs That Go Well With Eggs
Many fresh and dried herbs complement the flavor of eggs. Here are some of the most popular and useful herbs to season eggs:
- Parsley – This fresh, green herb brightens up egg dishes. Sprinkle chopped curly or Italian parsley into scrambled eggs or fold it into omelets.
- Chives – The mild onion flavor of chives makes a tasty addition to egg recipes. Use snipped fresh chives in scrambled eggs, omelets or egg salad.
- Basil – Sweet basil is a great match for eggs. Its faint licorice taste accents scrambled eggs and egg-based dishes like frittatas.
- Oregano – The bold, aromatic flavor of oregano pairs nicely with eggs. Use it dried or fresh in omelets, frittatas and egg casseroles.
- Thyme – Earthy thyme enhances the flavor of eggs. Try thyme in egg salad, omelets and baked egg dishes.
- Tarragon – Licorice-flavored tarragon has a light sweetness that complements eggs. Use it in omelets, scrambles and egg-based sauces.
- Dill – Fresh or dried dill weed adds a distinctive taste to eggs. Its tangy, grassy flavor is delicious in egg salads, omelets and baked eggs.
- Chervil – Mild anise-flavored chervil has a faint licorice taste that enhances egg dishes like omelets, frittatas and scrambled egg mixtures.
- Cilantro – The fresh, citrusy flavor of cilantro pairs nicely with eggs. Add it to omelets, burritos and egg-based Latin dishes.
- Marjoram – Closely related to oregano, sweet marjoram has a delicate minty quality that livens up deviled eggs, omelets and egg salads.
When using fresh herbs with eggs, add them near the end of cooking so they retain their color, texture and flavor. Dried herbs can be added earlier in the cooking process so their flavor blends into the dish.
Spices That Compliment Eggs
In addition to herbs, a variety of spices add delicious flavor to egg dishes like omelets, scrambles, frittatas and quiches. Popular spices to use with eggs include:
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper adds a little heat and bite to egg dishes.
- Paprika – Sweet paprika provides rich flavor and pretty garnish to eggs.
- Cayenne Pepper – A dash of cayenne pepper kicks up the heat level of eggs.
- Turmeric – Earthy turmeric adds vivid color and mild flavor to scrambled eggs and omelets.
- Curry Powder – The blend of spices in curry powder infuses eggs with exotic Indian flavor.
- Cinnamon – A small amount of cinnamon enhances the flavor of egg custards and quiches.
- Nutmeg – Nutmeg adds a touch of sweet spice to egg dishes ranging from scrambled eggs to custard.
- Red Pepper Flakes – For spicy eggs, sprinkle on some crushed red pepper.
- Smoked Paprika – Smoky, rich paprika makes eggs more complex.
- Vanilla Extract – A few drops of vanilla extract lend a sweet aroma and flavor to egg custards or omelets.
When adding spices to eggs, start with small amounts and adjust to taste. Combining different spices can result in powerful flavor fusions, like curry powder or southwest seasoning blends.
Best Herb and Spice Combinations for Eggs
Certain herbs and spices complement each other beautifully in egg dishes. Popular herb and spice pairings include:
- Basil and Garlic – Basil and garlic add fresh Italian flavor to omelets, frittatas and scrambled egg mixtures.
- Dill and Chives – Mixing fresh dill and chives gives egg salad, deviled eggs and omelets a taste of springtime.
- Thyme and Black Pepper – Earthy thyme and black pepper add gourmet flavor to fried, poached or baked eggs.
- Curry Powder and Turmeric – For curried eggs, curry powder and turmeric infuse eggs with spicy Indian tastes and golden color.
- Paprika and Parsley – Sweet paprika and fresh parsley lend rich flavor and color to spicy scrambled eggs.
- Cayenne and Cumin – The heat of cayenne combined with earthy cumin gives Mexican omelets and huevos rancheros a kick.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg – For a touch of sweet spice flavor, add cinnamon and nutmeg to custards or egg bakes.
- Chives and Tarragon – The mild onion of chives and light anise of tarragon complement each other in omelets.
Experiment to find your own favorite herb and spice combinations with eggs. Taste as you go until you achieve the perfect flavor blend.
What Herbs and Spices to Avoid With Eggs
While most herbs and spices pair deliciously with eggs, a few strong, overpowering seasonings are best avoided:
- Rosemary – The potent pine flavor of rosemary can overwhelm delicate eggs.
- Sage – Earthy sage may clash with the mild taste of eggs.
- Cumin – Heady cumin can be overpowering and muddy the flavors of egg dishes.
- Cloves – The strong flavor of whole cloves tends to overtake eggs.
- Cardamom – Intense floral cardamom may not complement eggs.
- Cilantro – Some people find fresh cilantro has a soapy flavor that doesn’t mix well with eggs.
Start with very small amounts of these spices and adjust to your taste preferences. Or consider using them in marinades and sauces paired with the egg dishes rather than mixed directly into the eggs.
Popular Cuisines and Egg Spice Combinations
Cuisines around the world offer signature herb and spice blends that are delicious with eggs. Some examples include:
| Cuisine | Popular Egg Herb/Spice Combinations |
|---|---|
| Italian | Basil, oregano, parsley, garlic |
| Mexican | Cilantro, cumin, cayenne, paprika, chili powder |
| Indian | Curry powder, turmeric, cumin, cayenne |
| Thai | Lemongrass, ginger, coriander, red chili flakes |
| French | Tarragon, parsley, chervil, pepper |
| Cajun | Thyme, bay leaf, paprika, cayenne, oregano |
Use these spice combinations as a starting point to explore ethnic egg dishes that incorporate the flavors of different world cuisines.
Best Herbs and Spices for Specific Egg Dishes
In addition to general recipes, certain herbs and spices pair particularly well with specific egg preparation methods and dishes:
Scrambled Eggs
For seasoned scrambled eggs, try parsley, chives, dill, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
Fried Eggs
Top fried eggs with spice blends like garlic powder and paprika or herb infused butters.
Poached Eggs
Garnish poached eggs with fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon and chives or drizzle with hollandaise sauce seasoned with thyme, cayenne or basil.
Boiled Eggs
For flavorful boiled eggs, add herbs and spices to the cooking water. Good options are dill, curry powder, turmeric, paprika or onion powder.
Omelets
When making omelets, sprinkle in fresh herbs like basil, oregano, cilantro or thyme or spices like garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder or cumin.
Frittatas
Incorporate diced herbs like parsley, chives and basil into frittata fillings. Or add spices like paprika, pepper and nutmeg into the egg mixture.
Egg Salad
Flavor egg salad with chopped fresh dill, chives, tarragon, parsley or a blend. Or add spices like celery salt, paprika, garlic powder or dry mustard.
Deviled Eggs
To make deviled eggs, mix the yolk filling with mustard powder, paprika, cayenne, parsley, chives or other herbs and spices.
Quiches
Season quiche fillings with herbs like basil, oregano or dill. Or add spices like nutmeg, red pepper flakes, garlic powder or onion powder to the custard.
Baked Egg Dishes
Add herb and spice blends to the linings of dishes before baking eggs. Try basil, oregano and garlic or thyme, parsley and black pepper.
Egg Casseroles
Mix into egg casseroles diced herbs like chives, parsley or cilantro. Or incorporate spices like paprika, cumin and chili powder to the egg mixture.
How to Store Seasoned Eggs
To keep cooked eggs flavored with herbs and spices tasting fresh:
- Refrigerate seasoned egg dishes promptly in airtight containers. The cold temperature preserves flavors and prevents bacterial growth.
- Use shallow containers instead of deep ones to ensure quick cooling.
- Consider separating components like diced herbs from egg mixtures until ready to eat. Herbs may turn eggs an unappealing color if stored together too long.
- Consume seasoned hard-boiled eggs within 1 week for best quality.
- Use other cooked egg dishes like frittatas, omelets and egg salads within 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze extra portions of baked egg recipes like quiches, casseroles and stratas for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before eating.
Conclusion
Eggs are the perfect canvas to showcase the flavors of herbs, spices and seasoning blends. From parsley, basil and chives to garlic powder, paprika and curry, the possibilities are endless. Try mixing and matching herbs, spices and egg preparation methods until you discover your favorite combinations. With a little creativity, even plain old scrambled eggs can become an exciting culinary adventure.