It’s that time of year and fresh herbs are back on our shopping list! Whether you’re planting a backyard herb patch or just picking up a few bundles at the market, now’s the perfect time to think about which herbs go best with seafood.
Spoiler: there’s no wrong answer—but some herbs really shine when paired with fish.
Here are a few of our favorites, plus ideas for how to use them!
🌿 1. Dill
Bright, fresh, and lightly citrusy, dill is a classic for a reason. It pairs beautifully with fatty fish like salmon, but also complements the sweetness of crab or shrimp.
💡 Try it with:
- Air-Fried Fish & Chips – Add fresh dill to your tartar sauce or sprinkle on top
- The Easiest Crab Sushi You'll Ever Make – A little dill goes a long way for freshness
- Use it with any of our favorite Seafood Sauces!
🌿 2. Parsley
Underrated but incredibly versatile. Parsley adds a clean, peppery bite that balances rich fish and brings freshness to a dish. Works well in cold salads or chopped fresh on top of warm dishes.
💡 Try it with:
- Black Cod en Papillote – Use parsley with lemon for a light, aromatic touch
- Sprinkle it over the top of our smoked salmon twists
- Add it to our prawns with white wine garlic recipe
🌿 3. Basil
Sweet basil + seafood = a summer favorite. It pairs especially well with tomato-based dishes, grilled fish, or anything with an Italian or Thai spin.
💡 Try it with:
- Bairdi Crab Bowl – Toss in some fresh basil leaves for a summery twist
- It's a staple in our Thai Cod Curry Recipe
- We love sprinkling it our top of our spicy salmon sushi muffins for the finishing touch!
🌿 4. Cilantro
This one’s polarizing, but if you love it, cilantro brings a zesty, citrus-forward punch that livens up almost any seafood dish. Especially great in tacos, ceviche, or seafood bowls.
💡 Try it with:
- Watermelon Salsa for our Coconut Crusted Shrimp Tacos!
- Add it in our yummy Halibut-Ceviche Recipe
- We use cilantro stems in our Coconut Curry Fish Soup
🌿 5. Chives
Mild and oniony, chives are perfect for finishing a dish. They add just enough sharpness without overwhelming delicate fish.
💡 Try it with:
- Smoked Black Cod Dip – Mix into the dip or sprinkle over the top
- It's always in our famous Crab Rolls!
- As the finishing touch on our tuna poke bowls
🌿 Bonus: Lemon Thyme, Tarragon, or Fennel Fronds
If you want to branch out beyond the basics, these herbs bring out subtle complexities in seafood:
- Lemon thyme adds brightness to baked white fish
- Tarragon has a licorice note that pairs beautifully with buttery black cod
- Fennel fronds (yep, from the tops of the plant!) are great for garnish and flavor
🌱 Growing Your Own?
Even a small herb garden can go a long way in boosting your meals—and they’re surprisingly easy to grow! Dill, parsley, basil, and cilantro all do well in containers or garden beds. Snip what you need, cook with it, and let the rest keep growing.
Whether you’re making a classic salmon fillet or trying something new with our smoked fish or crab, the right herbs can make your meal feel bright, fresh, and seasonal!
