Helpful information
Timing: All year round
Where to do it: Indoors
Garden space: Small garden, balcony, indoor space
Bouquet garni can be used to add flavour to many dishes. We show you how to make your own using fresh herbs from the garden or supermarket.
- Creating bouquet garni works your fine motor skills and dexterity
- This is a straightforward, quiet and calm activity that can be done indoors and from a seated position
- Enjoy the difference you can make to the flavour of your dishes. This is particularly satisfying if you are using home-grown herbs
Bouquet garni is of French origin and means garnished bouquet. Instead of a bouquet of flowers, this version is made up of sprigs of fresh herbs. It can be added to many dishes when cooking to give extra flavour, such as:
- Soup
- Stew
- Stock
The bouquet garni is then removed from the dish and discarded / put in the food waste before the dish is eaten.
What herbs to use in a bouquet garni
The traditional bouquet garni is made up of three herbs:
- One sprig of parsley
- One spring of thyme
- One bay leaf
Modern versions experiment by adding all sorts of plant-based ingredients. Basil, fennel, rosemary, marjoram and tarragon are just some of the options you could try.
There are a few different ways to create a bouquet garni. The simplest is to just tie the herbs with string. In this version, we use the wrapper method, which includes a leek layer to wrap the herbs in.
Essential items
- One leek
- One large fresh bay leaf
- A selection of other fresh herbs, e.g. parsley, thyme, rosemary
- Chopping board
- Knife
- String (non-dyed)
- Scissors
Optional items
- Kitchen towel / clean tea towel
Follow these steps to make your own bouquet garni with ease.
Step 1: Gather everything you need
Find a comfortable working spot and bring everything you need within a reachable distance.
Make it easier
Make sure your working area is at a comfortable height, especially if you have difficulty bending. If you are sitting down, aim to have your elbows and shoulders at right angles. This avoids pressure on tendons and joints.
Step 2: Wash and pat dry ingredients
Gently wash the herbs and leek. You can do this at the sink, under a slow stream of cold water from the tap.
Pat dry once washed. You could use kitchen towel or a clean tea towel for this.
Step 3: Cut a section of your leek
Place your leek on the chopping board. Using a knife, carefully cut a section from the body of the leek that is around 5cm long.
It doesn't matter too much which part of the leek you use, but avoid including the hard end or the leaves in your section.
Step 4: Create leek layers
Cut your leek in half along the length, not the width.
Carefully peel off the outer layer from one of the halves. You will use this to wrap around your herbs. If you are making more than one bouquet garni, peel off as many layers as you need from each half.
Top tip
If you make a batch of bouquet garni, they can be kept in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to a month. You could also give them to friends and family.
Step 5: Position the bay leaf
Turn your leek layer so the long edge is facing towards you.
Place the bay leaf across the leek layer. It will stick out above and slightly below the leek layer.
Step 6: Add your herb bundle
Take the rest of the herbs you are using. Bunch them together using your hands.
Lay this bundle on top of / next to the bay leaf. These herbs will also likely stick out above and slightly below the leek layer.
Top tip
A small stew will require a small bouquet garni and a larger one with more liquid will require a bigger bouquet.
Step 7: Wrap the leek layer
Carefully wrap the leek layer around the bay leaf and herb bundle. Depending on how big the bundle is, it might go around them more than once.
Step 8: Tie with string
Cut a length of string. Tie it around the leek layer. Secure with a tight knot.
Your bouquet garni is ready to use!
Don't forget to remove it from your dish once it's provided enough flavour. Although herbs are edible, eating a bouquet garni would not be very enjoyable.
Related content
Creating a herb garden indoors
Growing herbs indoors can be great for physical and mental wellbeing. You can enjoy growing even if you have a tiny or no garden.
