Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Use Dill Weed
How to Use Dill Weed. Dill weed, also referred to simply as dill, is an annual herb that is easily grown in gardens or in deep containers on the patio or in the house. It is important not to confuse dill weed with dill seed, as the two have very different characteristics. Dill weed is mild and is a leafy herb, while dill seed is much stronger and...
Dill weed, also referred to simply as dill, is an annual herb that is easily grown in gardens or in deep containers on the patio or in the house. It is important not to confuse dill weed with dill seed, as the two have very different characteristics. Dill weed is mild and is a leafy herb, while dill seed is much stronger and acts more like a spice when added to foods.
Things You'll Need
Water
Paper towels
Knife
Wash small amounts of dill weed under gently running cool water. Rinse well to remove all dirt and any insects or other debris. If you have a large amount to wash, either divide it up and rinse a small portion at a time or fill a container such as a bowl or dish pan with cool, clean water and place the dill weed into it. Move the dill around in the water to rinse it off thoroughly.
Shake the dill weed gently once you are done rinsing it. If you prefer, place it in a salad spinner and spin to remove the excess water. Carefully blot it dry with paper towels.
Cut the leaves from the large, tough stems. Discard the stems, as they are not used for flavoring. The exception to this is when the dill is being used for pickling, as it is customary to use the entire plant, including stems and seeds, in the pickling process.
Chop the dill leaves into small pieces. If you want them to be used for garnish as well as flavoring, leave the pieces big enough that sprigs of dill are identifiable.
Add the fresh, chopped dill to your favorite recipes. Dill is normally added after a dish has been cooked, as the high heat used in cooking destroys the flavor of this herb. Use dill weed to season poultry, casseroles, deviled eggs and other foods instead of using salt. The best flavor results from combining dill with other herbs such as thyme, tarragon and bay leaves.
Tips & Warnings
Fresh dill weed has the best flavor, so use harvest leaves as you need them, if possible. Leaves can be dried in a dehydrator or air dried in a paper bag with holes and saved for off-season use. Don't let them get too hot when drying them, or they will lose both color and flavor. Freezing is one of the best methods for preserving the flavor of fresh dill weed. Place clean sprigs of dill into plastic bags, seal and place in the freezer.
