Earthy, minty with slightly lemony flavor, thyme is an early summer season herb that is always added at the beginning of the cooking process. Whether it is dried or fresh, the herb pairs well with many timeless dishes.
In classic cuisine terms, thyme has been a staple in Mediterranean and southern European cuisine. Due to its versatility, thyme has a wide range of pairings.
What to eat with thyme? Thyme is a classic French herb that is a key ingredient for bouquet garni, which goes along with bay leaf, marjoram, and parsley. In addition, it is an important ingredient in herbs de Provence which is a blend of dried herbs common to the southern region in France.
The herb pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled or roasted lamb, meatloaf, stewed oysters, roasted pork, and in winter vegetables to flavor stews, soups, and sauces in tomato or red wine sauce.
When someone talks of a highly fragrant herb with small aromatic leaves and a thin woody stem, thyme is the first that comes to mind. Thyme is most commonly used during the cooking process, rather than afterwards.
This article goes into detail on dishes, flavors and meat that blend well with thyme. Answered below are frequently asked questions about what to eat with thyme to maximize the flavor profile with the proper food pairings.
What tastes good with thyme?
Whether it is fresh picked from garden or dried herbs, it can be used in many dishes to improve taste. It adds earthy aroma with a hint of mint and citrus notes in the dish.
Thyme will taste good with a variety of ingredients like:
- Vegetables: bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, eggplant, fennel, leeks, parsnips, peas, potatoes, spinach, zucchini
- Spices: allspice, chili peppers, coriander, jerk seasoning, nutmeg
- Herbs: basil, bay leaf, dill, lavender, lemon verbena, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon
- Beans: dried, green
- Condiments: caramel, honey, olive oil, vinaigrettes
- Cheese: fresh, goat, cheddar, parmesan, swiss, gruyere
- Seafood: cod, halibut, sea bass, tilapia, scallops, mussels, shrimp
- Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, red wine, Sauvignon Blanc
What meat goes well with thyme?
When it comes to meat, thyme fantastically and classically pairs with beef. This herb is ideal for poultry seasoning as well, and can be found in recipes for poultry stuffing and poultry seasoning blends.
As a result, thyme adds a touch of depth to all sorts of meat dishes like stews and casseroles. In addition, it blends well with lamb and pork.
- Beef: sirloin roast, tenderloin, steak, chuck
- Chicken: breast, thighs, whole chicken
- Pork: chops, loin, tenderloin
- Lamb: chops, leg, shoulder
- Venison: haunch, loin, tenderloin
What fruit goes well with thyme?
Fruits blend perfectly with a fresh thyme, and there are many recipes you can execute using syrup, salad, tart, sorbet, jam, and sangria.
It adds a nuance sour taste, makes them appealing and adds a sweet aroma as well. These fruits include:
- apples
- dates
- dried fruits
- lemon
- orange
- pears
- apricot
What flavor goes with thyme?
A balance of sweetness and savory flavors are best to go with thyme. Thyme pairs well with basil, oregano, cardamom, coriander, ginger, cumin and parsley on a complementary level.
Additionally, it balances other flavors in a dish and adds a minty warmth to garlic, onion and parsley in a fanciful way.
Here are flavor combination that chefs recommend with thyme:
- thyme + goat cheese + olive oil
- thyme + savory
- thyme + parmesan cheese + garlic + potatoes
- thyme + butter + lemon juice + rosemary
- thyme + red pepper flakes + orzo + lemon zest
What foods does thyme go with?
Thyme will blend with beans, meat and tomatoes. It can be added to salads, side dishes, soups, main courses, and beverages.
In the classic herb combinations of bouquet garni and herbs de Provence, thyme is the main ingredient. These herb blends are majorly and frequently used to flavor meat, soups and stews.
In Mediterranean cuisine, it is primarily used as a popular seasoning for lamb dishes. It adds a slight floral flavor to lighten up the gamey taste of lamb.
If you are looking for food that goes well with thyme, here are some of the classic dishes that welcome thyme:
- clam chowder
- roasted chicken
- egg dishes
- gumbo
- grilled or roasted lamb
- meatloaf
- mole sauce
- stewed oysters
- pasta sauces
- pâtés
- roasted pork
- vegetable soup
- sausage
Eat With Thyme: Conclusion
The origin of thyme is traced back to ancient societies throughout the Mediterranean, but is now used worldwide. Dried thyme can possess a nearly identical flavor profile to any of its fresh counterparts.
This is the reason why a little addition of thyme will be best suited while preparing any recipe. It’s also versatile and can be added to everything.
In general, thyme is a main ingredient for bouquet garni and herbs de Provence. However, there are other ways to use this herb in roasting and grilling chicken, pork, and lamb, as well as in seafood, vegetables and beverages.
From stews to soups and sauces, the herb thyme is rich in flavor and works well with many ingredients. Most classic food pairs elegantly with thyme including clam chowder, gumbo, meatloaf, and sausage, so consider to use these flavor combination to complete your meal with the foundation herb.