My mom said I was wasting money on fresh herbs - got me thinking

So I was making my go-to cheap pasta dish last week, and my mom watched me drop $3.50 on a bunch of basil. She shook her head and said I should just use dried herbs because they're way cheaper and last longer. At first I got defensive, but then I realized she might have a point. Fresh herbs do add something special though, you know? Like that pop of flavor you just can't get from a jar. But on a tight grocery budget, shelling out for fresh stuff every week adds up fast. I'm curious where other people land on this - do you think fresh herbs are worth the extra cost, or have you found a way to make dried work just as good for your budget meals?

2 comments

2 Comments

pat_park5d agoMost Upvoted

Have you tried growing your own basil or chives on a windowsill? That's what I did when I was pinching pennies. A $3 starter plant gives me fresh herbs for months as long as I water it and give it some sun. I also started freezing leftover fresh basil in olive oil in ice cube trays, so I always have some for cooking without the weekly cost. Dried herbs work fine for soups and stews but I still prefer fresh for things like pasta or salads.

the_miles4d ago

My ex-girlfriend got me started on this and I was totally against it at first but now I have a little basil plant on my kitchen counter that I got from Home Depot for like four bucks. I just snip off what I need for pasta night and it keeps growing back, plus it smells nice in my apartment. Dried herbs are fine for stuff you're simmering for a while, but for that fresh pop on pasta or pizza I'll take the windowsill route every time.