Generations of cooks from many cultures throughout the world have discovered that certain herbs and spices make especially good partners for different foods. Try these classic combinations, then experiment on your own.
| VEGETABLES AND GRAINS | ||
| Food | Herbs | Spices |
| Artichokes | Basil, chives, garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme | Cardamom, chiles |
| Asparagus | Chives, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme | Chiles, saffron, sesame seeds |
| Broccoli | Basil, curry leaves, garlic, marjoram, oregano, tarragon | Cayenne pepper, chiles, fenugreek, mustard seed |
| Brussels sprouts | Dill, garlic, parsley, rosemary, tamarind, tarragon | Anise, caraway, chiles, mustard seed, turmeric |
| Cabbage | Curry leaves, dill, marjoram, savory, tarragon | Caraway, cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, turmeric |
| Carrots | Basil, chervil, chives, ginger, lemon balm, marjoram, parsley | Anise, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cumin |
| Cauliflower | Basil, chives, cilantro, dill, rosemary | Caraway, coriander, cumin, turmeric |
| Corn | Basil, chervil, chives, cilantro, thyme | Chiles, paprika, saffron, turmeric |
| Couscous | Bay, garlic, parsley, spearmint | Anise, chiles, cinnamon, saffron |
| Eggplant | Basil, ginger, mint, oregano, parsley | Chiles, cinnamon, coriander, paprika |
| Green beans | Basil, dill, garlic, marjoram, savory, spearmint, thyme | Caraway, cloves, coconut, cumin, tamarind |
| Legumes, dried | Basil, bay, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme | Chiles, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, mustard seed, turmeric |
| Mushrooms | Chives, garlic, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme | Coriander, cumin, nutmeg |
| Peas | Basil, chervil, chives, garlic, lemon balm, spearmint | Caraway, chiles, coconut, fenugreek, turmeric |
| Potatoes | Basil, chives, garlic, lovage, rose- mary, tarragon, thyme | Caraway, chiles, cumin, mustard seed, turmeric |
| Rice | Basil, dill, garlic, lemon balm, oregano, parsley, thyme | Cardamom, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, saffron |
| Spinach | Basil, chervil, dill, garlic, lovage, marjoram, parsley | Anise, caraway, cinnamon, nutmeg, sesame seeds |
| Squash | Basil, ginger, marjoram, rosemary, sage, thyme | Caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise |
| Tomatoes | Basil, cilantro, lemongrass, oregano, spearmint, thyme | Chiles, coriander, mustard seeds, saffron, turmeric |
| MEAT, POULTRY, AND SEAFOOD | ||
| Food | Herbs | Spices |
| Beef | Basil, bay, ginger, hyssop, oregano, parsley, thyme | Caraway, cumin, fenugreek, juniper, paprika |
| Lamb | Bay, fennel, garlic, ginger, oregano, spearmint, tarragon | Allspice, cayenne, cinnamon, cumin, saffron |
| Pork | Cilantro, fennel, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme | Allspice, chiles, cinnamon, cloves, paprika, turmeric |
| Poultry | Basil, garlic, ginger, lovage, rosemary, tea | Allspice, cumin, fenugreek, paprika, poppy seed |
| Flaky freshwater fish (catfish, perch, trout) | Chervil, fennel, ginger, lemon balm, lemongrass, thyme | Chiles, cloves, cumin, saffron, tamarind |
| Firm deep-sea fish (swordfish, tuna) | Garlic, ginger, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme | Chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, juniper, paprika |
| Oily saltwater fish (anchovies, bluefish, mullet) | Basil, garlic, ginger, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme | Cayenne, chiles, horseradish |
| Shellfish (lobster, mussels, fish) | Basil, chervil, garlic, ginger, marjoram, mint, tarragon | Chiles, coconut, mustard seed, saffron, turmeric |
