19 Delicious Lavender Recipes, plus all about culinary lavender — where to buy it, how to cook with it, health benefits, what to pair lavender with and MORE! Find everything from lavender cookies to lavender lemonade in this fun and healthy culinary lavender recipe round-up!
Whether you’re a seasoned lavender user or completely new to using this enchanting culinary herb, you’re certain to find something to please your tastes in this easy and delicious recipe round-up filled with everything from lavender moon milk to savory lavender pies to lavender soda! Read on to learn more about lavender’s uses, benefits, cooking tips, plus 16 fun gluten-free & vegetarian lavender recipes!
How to Cook with Lavender
- Firstly, you want to be certain that you purchase ‘culinary grade’ and/or organic fresh lavender or dried lavender flowers to ensure that it hasn’t been contaminated with toxic chemicals.
- The English variety of lavender is best suited for cooking with due to its sweet floral flavors. While still safe and edible, Spanish and French lavender (from Provence) are more well suited to bath and body products.
- Dried lavender is more potent in flavor than fresh lavender.
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds = 3 teaspoons fresh lavender buds.
- Lavender makes a suitable substitution for rosemary in many recipes.
- Whether fresh or dried, the leaves, buds, stems and flowers are all wholly edible.
- You can add fresh or dried lavender buds to dishes and enjoy whole or strain/pick out before serving.
- Infusing dishes with lavender can quickly become a bit overwhelming taste-wise, go easy and sparingly to start. You usually only need a small amount to make a big impact. It can greatly enhance dishes when used subtly. If you go overboard, a dish will taste bitter.
- Lavender adds a great pop of flavor to both sweet and savory dishes alike.
- Lavender makes a beautiful edible floral garnish when sprinkled on baked goods and salads.
Where To Buy Lavender
You can frequently find organic lavender plants at local plant nurseries (ask to ensure they haven’t been treated with chemicals).
You can find dried culinary lavender buds at stores like Whole Foods and World Market or online. Some of my favorites: Feel Good Organics, Starwest Botanicals, and Anthony’s.
You can purchase seeds and grow your own!
Lavender Health Benefits
- Lavender has calming and cooling properties, making it a great ally for anxiety, stress and insomnia.
- Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Lavender is high in antioxidants.
- Lavender contains vitamin C, zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium.
- Lavender has been shown to contain anti-bacterial compounds.
- Lavender is immune system strengthening.
- Lavender has anti-spasmodic properties.
- Both smelling and ingesting lavender has been shown to greatly help those that suffer from migraines.
What Does Lavender Pair Well With?
- Lavender has strong sweet + floral tones unto itself. It pairs well with equally strong flavors.
- Lavender tastes great alongside citrus notes such as lemon juice and grapefruit.
- Lavender works well with tart notes such as berries and stone fruit.
- Lavender pairs well with other herbs such as mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
- Lavender is delicious paired with honey and/or vanilla.
- Lavender works well in sweet baked goods like cookie dough and cake batter, and it's delicious whipped into frosting.
- Lavender works well in both cold and warm beverages.
- Lavender works well infused into sauces, soups and syrups.
- Lavender works well in roasted savory dishes.
- Lavender works really well in frozen treats like ice cream and popsicles.
19 Lavender Recipes
I greatly hope you enjoyed this Culinary Lavender recipe round-up! If you feel so inclined, please share on social media. Your support means a bunch! xo.
Read More About Lavender:
How to Grow and Harvest Lavender
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