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What Foods Go Well with Thyme? (23 Foods)

Have you ever wondered what foods go with thyme?

If so, we’ve got the answer for you.

Thyme is a great herb that can be used to add flavor to many foods.

What Foods Go Well with Thyme

From meats to veggies and even desserts, there are a ton of options when it comes to cooking with thyme.

In this post, we’ll go over some foods that go great with thyme, so you can start experimenting!

What Foods Go Well with Thyme?

When cooking with thyme, keep in mind that it pairs well with many foods, including chicken, fish, lamb, eggs and cheese. You can use fresh or dried thyme in your cooking depending on what you’re making.

If you’re using fresh thyme for a marinade for meat or fish before cooking, make sure to chop it up finely before adding it to the dish so that it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in your meal.

You can mix thyme with other herbs like parsley or oregano to add more depth of flavor without adding too much of any one herb’s taste to your dish.

Thyme is great for flavoring soups and stews because its strong aroma will complement other ingredients without competing for attention.

If you’re looking for some new ways to use thyme in your cooking, here are 23 foods that go well with thyme:

1. Homemade Chili or Salsa

salsa

If you like spicy food, try adding some dried thyme flakes in place of regular salt when making homemade chili or salsa.

You’ll be surprised at how much more flavorful these dishes become!

2. Hummus

Hummus

If you’re hosting guests but don’t have much time before they arrive, try making a quick batch of hummus with fresh thyme added into the mix—it will taste delicious!

3. Thyme-Roasted Chicken Thighs

Thyme-Roasted Chicken Thighs

For an easy dinner idea, try adding fresh thyme sprigs to your chicken marinade before grilling up some boneless chicken thighs (or breasts).

This simple step will add lots of flavor without taking away from all that delicious grilled chicken goodness!

4. Breads & Pastries

Multigrain Bread

Thyme is an excellent addition to breads and pastries because it pairs well with sweet flavors like honey and maple syrup.

Try adding a sprig of freshly chopped thyme to your next loaf of bread or batch of cookies for added flavor without overpowering other ingredients.

5. In a Salad Dressing

Salad Dressing

If you love salad dressings but want something new and exciting, try adding fresh thyme to your next batch.

It’s an incredibly simple way to give your salad a huge boost of flavor without adding too many calories or carbs!

6. Asparagus Pesto Pasta Salad

Asparagus Pesto Pasta Salad

Asparagus is another vegetable that pairs well with thyme’s woodsy flavor.

For an easy weeknight dinner, make a quick pasta salad using asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and basil pesto (or another flavor).

You can also add in some goat cheese if you’d like!

7. Roasted Potatoes with Thyme

Roasted Potatoes with Thyme

Potatoes are one of those foods that go well with almost anything!

They taste great plain or with just about any seasoning—and they’re even better when paired with thyme.

Try roasting some fingerling potatoes or small Yukon golds with olive oil and fresh thyme sprigs for an easy side dish or snack.

8. On Eggs

Scrambled eggs with Thyme

Fresh thyme goes great with eggs because it adds a little bit of spice without overpowering the dish.

You can sprinkle it on top of scrambled eggs or use it in an omelet mixture for breakfast or brunch—the possibilities are endless!

9. In Meat Marinades

Thyme pairs perfectly with meat marinades because it adds just enough moisture without making the meat taste too salty or overpowering other ingredients like garlic and onion powder would do.

Try adding fresh thyme to your next steak dinner for an extra-special meal that’ll keep everyone talking about how delicious it was all night long!

10. In a Soup or Stew

Broccoli Soup

Thyme has a very subtle flavor, so it pairs nicely with many other ingredients.

If you’re making a soup or stew, consider adding thyme to the mix—you won’t regret it!

11. In Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce with Thyme

Thyme goes well with tomatoes because it has an earthy taste that helps balance out the acidity in tomato sauce.

This is one of my favorite ways to use thyme!

It’s also great on pasta or as an ingredient in soups.

12. On Chicken Tenders

Thyme is the perfect complement to chicken tenders—it adds a delicate earthiness that works well with the crispy sweetness of the breading.

Plus, it helps cut through any greasiness from frying so you can really enjoy every bite!

13. With Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops

Thyme pairs well with almost any meat (you can even use it as a rub) but if you’re looking for something special, try adding it to pork chops!

Thyme gives the dish a unique flavor that will make it stand out among all the other chicken dishes out there.

14. On Toast Points

Toast Points

Toast points are always a great option when you’re trying to get creative with your meal prep—they’re easy to store, they last longer than bread, and they can be used in so many different ways.

We love adding fresh thyme leaves on top of our toast points before warming them up in the oven.

Thyme goes well with most cheeses (we especially like it with goat cheese), so try mixing together some olive oil and lemon juice with some crumbled goat cheese and topping it off with some fresh thyme leaves for a delicious snack.

15. On Fish

White Fish

Thyme is a great herb to add to fish because it has a light, delicate flavor that won’t overpower the delicate flavors of your fish (or other seafood).

Try sprinkling a little on top of grilled salmon or tuna steaks for an extra burst of flavor!

16. With Mushrooms and Garlic in Any Dish

Mushrooms, garlic, and thyme make an amazing combination that works well on everything from chicken breasts to potatoes!

You can use either fresh or dried thyme for this dish—whichever suits your tastes best!

17. In An Omelet Or Frittata Recipe (Add At The End)

Fresh thyme really shines when it’s added in at the end of cooking time—especially if you’re making an omelet or frittata with other herbs like parsley or basil.

Thyme adds a subtle hint of complexity that will make your food taste like it was made by a professional chef!

18. As A Garnish For Grilled Vegetables (Or Even Raw Vegetables)

Balsamic Grilled Vegetables

Thyme is delicious with grilled vegetables because it adds a nice earthy note that pairs perfectly with smoky charring from the grill.

Try sprinkling thyme over some roasted asparagus spears or cauliflower florets.

You can also use it to garnish raw veggies like cucumbers and carrots—it will add an unexpected freshness that will liven up any dish!

19. With Butternut Squash Fries

Butternut squash fries are one of the best ways to get more vegetables into your diet—and they’re delicious!

Thyme is an excellent complement to butternut squash because it has a slightly sweet flavor that makes the dish taste even more like fall.

20. As An Addition To A Stir Fry Dish

Stir fry is one of those meals that can be really hard to get right—especially if you’re trying to eat healthy.

Luckily, adding a few sprigs of thyme can make all the difference!

The aroma from this herb really helps bring out the best in whatever else you’re cooking up (like tofu or chicken), so give it a shot!

21. With Tofu And Mushrooms In A Vegan Casserole Recipe

This is one of our favorite recipes because it’s so versatile—it works as an entree or side dish, and it makes enough for leftovers!

The mushrooms add texture and earthiness while the tofu adds protein.

The thyme adds freshness and depth of flavor that really brings out the best in both ingredients.

22. As the Base for Your Bolognese Sauce (or just sprinkle it on top!)

Bolognese sauce is one of the best ways to use up leftovers from dinner the night before—but what if you don’t have any leftovers?

No worries!

Once you’ve made your own marinara sauce, try adding some fresh thyme to get a whole new taste experience.

You can also use this same technique with other dishes like tacos or even pasta!

23. In a Crockpot Stew with Carrots and Potatoes

In a crockpot stew with carrots and potatoes, try adding fresh thyme leaves for an extra punch of flavor.

This is also a great option if you’re looking for something easy on the budget!

What Vegetables Go Well with Thyme?

Thyme

Thyme is a wonderful herb to use with a wide variety of vegetables, but we’ve found that it especially complements potatoes, squash, and tomatoes.

For example, you can add thyme and olive oil to a potato dish like roasted potatoes or potato soup (See Also: What to Serve with Potato Soup).

This will give your meal an extra boost of flavor and aroma that will make your mouth water.

Squash can be used in many ways—you can roast it, use it in soups or stews, or even make a delicious pasta dish with it!

Thyme goes well with all three methods of preparation.

Tomatoes are another great vegetable for pairing with thyme.

A simple tomato sauce made with olive oil and garlic is delicious when seasoned with thyme before being cooked for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius).

What Meats Go Well with Thyme?

meats

Thyme is a great herb for cooking with meat, particularly beef, chicken, and pork.

Thyme’s strong flavor can be overpowering if you use too much of it, so it’s important to stick to just enough thyme to enhance the flavor of your dish without making it taste like something else entirely.

  • For beef, try sprinkling some thyme over the top of a juicy steak. You can also rub some thyme directly onto the meat before cooking—just make sure not to rub off too much of the flavor before you put it in your pan!
  • Thyme goes well with chicken when you’re looking for something with more of a subtle flavor than what’s already present in the chicken itself. Try sprinkling some thyme into your chicken marinade or rubbing it onto the chicken before roasting (or grilling!) it up.
  • Finally, pork is another great option for pairing with thyme because they both have similar flavors that complement each other well.

A simple way to cook pork is by rubbing it down with olive oil and sprinkling some fresh thyme over top before putting it on the grill or in an oven at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes per pound (more or less).

Thyme Roasted Chicken Thighs with Thyme

23 Foods that Go Well with Thyme

The thyme plant is a potent source of flavor in many dishes, but it can also add an interesting twist to your favorite foods.
The taste of thyme is very distinctive, but it's not overwhelming. It can be used in a variety of ways, including as an herb in salads or as a seasoning for soups, stews and other dishes that have meaty flavors.
Thyme also goes well with foods that contain onion or garlic flavors because they complement each other well when they are cooked together.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Homemade Chili or Salsa
  • Hummus
  • Thyme-Roasted Chicken Thighs
  • Breads & Pastries
  • In a Salad Dressing
  • Asparagus Pesto Pasta Salad
  • Roasted Potatoes with Thyme
  • On Eggs
  • In Meat Marinades
  • In a Soup or Stew
  • In Tomato Sauce
  • On Chicken Tenders
  • With Pork Chops
  • On Toast Points
  • On Fish
  • With Mushrooms and Garlic in Any Dish
  • In An Omelet Or Frittata Recipe (Add At The End)
  • As A Garnish For Grilled Vegetables (Or Even Raw Vegetables)
  • With Butternut Squash Fries
  • As An Addition To A Stir Fry Dish
  • With Tofu And Mushrooms In A Vegan Casserole Recipe
  • As the Base for Your Bolognese Sauce (or just sprinkle it on top!)
  • In a Crockpot Stew with Carrots and Potatoes

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of the foods from this list to cook with thyme as your herb of choice.
  • Prepare the rest of your meal.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword what foods go well with thyme