What Can You Cook With Dill Herb Or Weed?

Everything You Need to Know About Dill Herb Or Weed

From the humble pickle to robust Russian stews, the dill herb is an essential ingredient in a great number of cuisines around the world. Its delicate, feathery leaves and distinctive flavor lend themselves to a variety of dishes, while its seed pairs well with bread, cheeses, and more.

Origin and Other Names

Known scientifically as Anethum graveolens, dill is a plant in the celery family, native to the Mediterranean region and Southern Russia. It’s been used in culinary and medicinal applications for centuries. Also known by names like “dill weed” to differentiate it from dill seeds, it’s commonly found in the produce and spice sections of most supermarkets.

Health Benefits of Dill

As well as providing a punch of flavor, dill weed provides a dose of health benefits. It is a good source of vitamins A and C, and offers a substantial amount of dietary fiber. This combination helps promote a healthy immune system (source), aids in digestion and may assist in the management of diabetes by helping to regulate blood sugar levels (source).

Further, dill is known to have antimicrobial properties, thanks to the presence of a variety of essential oils. These can help prevent infections both internally and externally, making dill an all-around useful herb for boosting overall health (source).

Dill: Herb or Weed?

Despite being known colloquially as ‘dill weed’, this plant is far from an unwanted intruder. In fact, dill is a boon in the garden. Not only do its fernlike leaves and yellow flowers look attractive, but the plant also attracts beneficial insects while repelling pests. The ‘weed’ moniker likely comes from its ability to spread and grow quickly under the right conditions, but for those who appreciate its many uses, dill is anything but a weed.

Whether you’re incorporating it into a meal or sowing it in your garden, the dill herb brings a range of benefits that extend beyond its culinary uses. Far from being an ordinary weed, dill holds an esteemed place in both the kitchen and the medicine cabinet. Truly, a staple herb for any aspiring gourmet guru!