12 best herbs to flavor fish and shellfish (step by step)

Fish can be described in many ways, from sweet and delicate to strong or muddy, regardless of whether fish and shellfish are not boring when flavored with one or more of these 12 delicious herbs.

01 of 12 Basil

Each of these flavors used alone or in combination can enhance the delicate natural flavor of fish or shellfish.

Basil is perfect for fish. Be sure to try different varieties of basil, as the flavor varies from one type to another: sweet basil, holy basil, and Thai basil. Some basil recipes to try:

02 of 12 Bay leaf

Bay leaves are a member of the bay family. Its unique aroma combines perfectly with delicately flavored fish, such as cod or tilapia. Bay leaves can also be used to flavor soups and fish soups. You can’t go wrong with this combination. Some recipes to try include:

03 of 12 Chives

Chives can be used in marinades and sauces, added to compound butters, or sprinkled on top of white fish during cooking. Add a pinch of strong flavor and color to your seafood dishes. Try the following recipes:

04 of 12 dill

Dill offers the most basic herb pairing for seafood. Dill is especially good for adding a delicate punch to many seafood spices recipes. Some recipes you can try include:

05 of 12 Lemon balm

Lemon balm is a prolific herb that has a mild lemon flavor that is just right to liven up a fish dish. You can use it for any of the hundreds of recipes that might require lemon flavoring. You can sprinkle it over fish prepared as a colorful garnish that also adds flavor.

06 of 12 Marjoram

Sweet and salty, marjoram is like a softer and less aggressive form of oregano. It is an herb in the mint family. Many say it has a slight citrus and sweet pine flavor. It grows wild in Mediterranean countries like Cyprus, Turkey and Greece. Some recipes to try include:

07 of 12 mint

Just a hint of mint will really enhance any fish recipe. Peppermint effectively cuts rich flavors to add good flavor to any seafood. However, it should be used with care, otherwise you can master the recipe. Some recipes to try include:

08 of 12 nParsley

Parsley is a juicy, green-flavored herb that supports the delicate flavors of fish and shellfish quite well. Parsley is also easy to grow indoors, so you can have fresh parsley on hand to brighten up seafood dishes all winter long. Parsley is a great garnish spread on top of almost any fish, but some specific recipes to try include

09 of 12 Tarragon

Tarragon is a staple in French cuisine, and many Americans are now discovering how delicious this herb is. Add a light and delicate flavor to fish dishes. Some dishes to try include:

10 of 12 Thyme

Thyme is perfect for seafood. Go light with thyme. As it cooks, the flavor becomes more intense. Some recipes you can try include:

11 of 12 Rosemary

Beautiful and fragrant, rosemary is a delicious herb for seafood, and is versatile. It can be used fresh or dry, but fresh rosemary has a little more citrus flavor. Some recipes that use rosemary include:

12 of 12 Wise

Sage tastes great with fish, giving it an earthy, aromatic flavor. Go lightly when seasoning with sage, as it can dominate. Cooking or freezing increases the intensity of this herb. A recipe to try includes: