Dill (2024)

Dill is a fresh and grassy herb which also provides seeds which are a favourite spice of northern Europe and Scandinavia.It's perhaps best known for flavouring pickled cucumbers but it’s light anise flavours are great in much more.

Dill (1)

What does Dill taste like?

Fresh dill has a grassy herbal flavour with undertones of menthol and anise. The seeds also carry this anise flavour with fresh menthol notes. It is similar tasting to caraway but with a slightly more musky character.


What is Dill used for?

For a fresh herb dill is surprisingly potent because of this it makes it an excellent garnish for salads and sandwiches, providing flavour and colour. The cured salmon dish Gravlax is flavoured with fresh dill. The Eastern European soup borscht is often flavoured with dill as well as a litany of other herbs. Fresh dill is often mixed with cream or dairy to create herby sauces or remoulades which are used across Europe but particularly in Scandinavia.

The most well known use for dill is probably the eponymous dill pickle. Dill pickles, or Gherkins, are small cucumbers pickled in a salty, vinegar brine and flavoured with dill seeds. Dill is a fantastic flavouring for all sort of pickled vegetables, we recently made some fantastic pickled carrots and parsnips using dill and black pepper. Across Scandinavia dill is used in the pickling of foods, from vegetables to fish, as the harsh winters made food preservation all the more important.

Dill Recipes

Pickled Carrots and Parsnips

Kartoffelmad: Danish style open faced potato salad sandwich

Easy Dill Dip Recipe - How To Make Dill Dip

Names and origins

Dill is a short fern-like herb which grows up to 60cm in height. It grows across Europe and Asia where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. Like many herbs and spices, dill held spiritual value to the ancient Egyptians and has been found in the tombs of pharaohs dating back as far as 1500 BCE.

Dill’s scientific name, Anethum graveolens, comes from the latin for both dill and anise, anisum became the term for anise and anethum for dill. The origins of the word dill are harder to define, the word exists in many germanic and proto germanic languages but its origins are unclear. In the Middle East dill seeds are often known as ain jaradeh or “grasshoppers eye”.

Dill (2)


Health uses

While there are no confirmed health uses for dill, it has been found to have antimicrobial effects on several species of bacteria and yeasts.

Dill (2024)

FAQs

What does dill do for the body? ›

Bone health: Dill contains numerous vitamins and minerals that support bone growth and regeneration, including iron, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin D. Immune system: The antioxidants contained in dill are associated with improving immune function in part by protecting the body's cells from free radical damage.

Can I eat raw dill? ›

Dill can be eaten raw or cooked. To use fresh dill, cut the leaves away from the stem and remove the stem. Dill is commonly paired with salmon, lemon and chicken, dishes with spinach, and sprinkled over roasted potatoes. It pairs with creamy sauces made with yogurt or other dairy products.

Is dill good for your stomach? ›

In addition to culinary uses, dill is rich in several nutrients and has traditionally been used to treat various ailments, including digestive issues, colic in infants, and bad breath ( 1 ). This article reviews the nutritional and health benefits of dill, as well as ways to use it in cooking.

Does dill taste like anything? ›

Dill has a deliciously fresh, citrus-like taste, with a slightly grassy undertone. The trademark subtle sweetness means it works particularly well with garlic and mint, and it's sometimes used as a substitute for parsley.

Who should not use dill? ›

Don't taking dill as a medicine if you have underactive thyroid. Surgery: Dill extract might lower blood sugar. There is concern that using dill extract might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking dill extract at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Is dill OK for kidneys? ›

Dill is useful for kidney problems as it increases urine production due to its diuretic property. It also protects the kidney cells against damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant property. Dill oil might help promote wound healing due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

What are the side effects of eating too much dill? ›

Possible Side Effects

There are certain situations when you may want to be careful about using dill as a medicine. It is not recommended that you use dill as a medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Using dill on your skin may cause irritation, and drinking dill juice may make you more sensitive to the sun.

Does dill help with weight loss? ›

Helps with Weight Loss:

Dill seeds contain fiber, which can help you feel full and reduce your overall calorie intake. Consuming dill seeds regularly can help support weight loss efforts.

What is the best way to eat dill? ›

Dill's flavor diminishes rapidly during the cooking process, so it is most commonly added to hot dishes at the end of cooking or used in cold dishes, like salads and dressings. Dill seed, on the other hand, should be toasted in a pan over medium-high heat before use to unlock the flavor and aroma.

Is dill a natural laxative? ›

Helps in digestion

Dill can also help people with constipation as is it high in fiber content and thus helps in the process of passing motion easily. Dill plays an effective role in preventing other abdominal issues such as ulcers and gastritis as it can help to reduce the levels of excessive acids in our stomachs.

Does dill help you sleep? ›

Dill seeds freely release their essential oils when infused in hot water, the liquid from which was used as gripe water to ease flatulence in children and to quicken sleep at bedtime. Dill closely resembles fennel, to which it is related. Both have finely cut foliage and make tall, willowy plants.

How much dill should you eat? ›

Keep in mind when seasoning with dill that a serving size is one teaspoon. As a seasoning, dill packs a punch, so it's safe to start with a small pinch and add more as needed.

Why don't some people like dill? ›

There's an entire subreddit dedicated to dill hatred, a collection of deeply misguided people complaining about its “repulsive taste and gag-inducing smell.” Even some of my own beloved collegues at Eater feel that it is too overpowering for most dishes.

Is dried dill as good as fresh dill? ›

You can taste its grassy color when you get it tender and fresh, but like all herbs, its dried form, fronds stripped from the stems, is much more concentrated and impactful. Dried dill is best for recipes that require more force of flavor and incorporation into a sauce.

Why is dill so popular? ›

They incorporated dill into their cooking and used it as a medicinal herb. These days, dill is loved worldwide for its distinctive flavor profile. Its fresh, slightly sweet taste with hints of anise and citrus makes it a perfect companion to fish, vegetables, salads, and pickles.

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