Preparation, uses, and tips
Strongly flavored, savory should be used with a light touch. It adds a piquant flavor to
many foods including pâtés and soups, as well as meat,
fish, peas, potato, and especially to bean dishes. A few chopped fresh leaves are a
flavorful addition to salads, but using more than this can be overpowering. Dried or fresh,
savory is a common ingredient in the French herb blend, herbes de Provence, an
assortment of dried herbs said to reflect those most commonly used in southern France.
Summer savory is the more versatile of the two varieties. It adds just the right note when
making a chicken broth, is good with eggs, and
adds a lively depth of flavor to bean dishes.
In many dishes, savory can serve as a flavorful substitute for salt.
Buying and storing tips
Choose fresh savory that has a clean, fresh scent. It can be stored in the refrigerator,
wrapped in a barely damp paper towel inside a sealable plastic bag, for up to five days. Store
dried savory in an airtight storage container, in a cool, dark place for no more than six
months.
Varieties
There are two types of savory, called summer and winter savory. Their flavor is somewhat
different, with the winter type more strongly aromatic. The summer type is sweeter, milder,
and more perishable when fresh. Both have a peppery taste.
Nutrition Highlights
Savory, ground, 1 Tbsp (5g)
Calories: 12
Protein: 0.3g
Carbohydrate: 3.0g
Total Fat: 0.26g
Fiber: 2.0g