Discover New Ways to Use Healthy Dill at Home

If you’re in the former group, try adding dill not just to the classic sauces or pickles but also to something new. Its health benefits can even appeal to its detractors.

Dill is not only a tasty ingredient but also a healthy addition to enrich your diet. Growing it is not difficult – you can have it handy in your garden or even in a pot on the windowsill.

This aromatic herb has been used for thousands of years not only in the kitchen but also in traditional medicine. From the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, dill has gradually spread worldwide, becoming a beloved part of many culinary traditions.

The earliest records of dill date back to ancient Egypt, where it was used not just as a spice but also as a medicine. The Greeks and Romans considered it a symbol of wealth and vitality, adorning themselves and their banquet tables with it.

Benefits of Dill

Dill is rich in vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium and offers numerous health benefits:

Aids Digestion:
Dill tea (made from dried leaves, flowers, and seeds) contains essential oils that stimulate digestive juices and improve digestion. A decoction from dill leaves and seeds is also used to combat bloating and soothe the digestive tract.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
Dill has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Boosts Immune System:
High vitamin C content helps strengthen the immune system and protect the body against infections.
Improves Sleep:
Traditional medicine uses dill to alleviate insomnia due to its calming properties.
Lowers Cholesterol:
Dill helps reduce levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood.

A Versatile Herb

In the kitchen, dill is incredibly versatile. Its fresh, slightly sweet taste complements a variety of dishes. The leaves, flowers, and seeds are used in pickling cucumbers and other vegetables, imparting a characteristic flavor.

Its leaves are great in salads, sauces, mayonnaise, and yogurt dressings, and it’s an essential ingredient in Greek tzatziki. Dill can be added to both hot and cold soups and pairs wonderfully with salmon and other fish.

When preparing hot dishes, add dill at the end of cooking to preserve its flavor and valuable minerals and vitamins.

If you have more dill than you can use, chop and freeze it – best in a plastic container or ice cube trays. You can also pickle it in a sweet-sour brine and sterilize it.

Dill can also be dried – either air-dried, in the oven, or using a food dehydrator. The drying temperature should not exceed 35°C (95°F).

Dill offers much more than you might expect. Just unleash your creativity and be a bit bolder in the kitchen. Try some of our tips below.

Drill herb

Dill Pesto

Replace basil with dill in a traditional pesto recipe. Mix fresh chopped dill with garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil, and a bit of lemon juice. Dill pesto is perfect for pasta, roasted meats, or as a spread on bread.

Dill Salt

Mix finely chopped fresh dill (or coarsely blended) with coarse sea salt, pack into small glass jars, and store in a cool place. This flavored salt is excellent for seasoning grilled vegetables, meats, or fish.

Dill Vinegar

To prepare dill vinegar, use the flowers and seeds for a stronger flavor. Let them macerate in white wine vinegar for two weeks. It’s great in salads, especially cucumber salad, and also in creamy soups.

Dill Oil

Similarly to vinegar, you can make dill oil – olive or sunflower oil works best. Place washed and dried dill leaves in a glass jar and cover with oil heated to 45°C (113°F) until the leaves are fully submerged. Let it sit at room temperature for two weeks, then strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth and store in a dark, cool place. Homemade dill oil can be used to season salads, potato dishes, fish, and other meals.

Dill Butter

Mix softened butter with chopped fresh dill, grated lemon zest, and a bit of minced garlic. Dill butter can be used to flavor baked potatoes, fish, or spread on fresh bread.