10 Herbs You Can Grow and Throw on the BBQ

There is something especially satisfying about stepping into the garden, snipping a handful of fresh herbs and taking them straight to the barbecue. Whether you are grilling vegetables, cooking fish, preparing marinades or serving summer salads, herbs can completely transform outdoor cooking.

The good news is that many of the best herbs for BBQ season are also some of the easiest plants to grow. They are perfect for pots, raised beds, patios, balconies and even sunny windowsills. A small BBQ herb garden can provide fresh ingredients throughout the summer while adding colour, fragrance and interest to your outdoor space.

If you are looking for herbs to grow for cooking, planning a BBQ herb garden or simply searching for easy herbs to grow at home, these ten herbs deserve a place in your garden this summer.

Why Herbs Are Perfect for BBQ Season

Fresh herbs bring flavour, colour and aroma to outdoor cooking. They can be mixed into marinades, scattered over grilled vegetables, blended into dressings or added to drinks and desserts.

Many herbs also thrive during the warmer months, making summer the perfect time to grow your own. Even a few containers filled with herbs can provide enough fresh ingredients for regular barbecues, family meals and garden gatherings.

Growing your own herbs also means you can harvest exactly what you need when you need it. There is no need to buy large packets from the supermarket when a quick trip into the garden provides fresh flavour in seconds.

How to Grow a BBQ Herb Garden at Home

One of the best things about herbs is that they do not require a large garden.

Many popular BBQ herbs grow happily in:

• Pots and containers
• Raised beds
• Patio planters
• Window boxes
• Balcony gardens

Most herbs prefer a sunny position and well-drained compost. Water regularly during dry weather and harvest little and often to encourage healthy growth.

If space is limited, a simple collection of containers near your barbecue area or kitchen door can provide easy access whenever you are cooking outdoors.

10 Herbs You Can Grow and Use on the BBQ

Rosemary

Rosemary is perhaps the ultimate BBQ herb.

Its woody stems and distinctive fragrance pair beautifully with grilled lamb, chicken, potatoes and vegetables. Fresh rosemary can be chopped into marinades or scattered over vegetables before cooking.

Some barbecue enthusiasts even place rosemary sprigs directly onto hot coals to create aromatic smoke that adds flavour to food as it cooks.

Rosemary enjoys a sunny position and grows particularly well in containers.

Thyme

Thyme is a versatile herb that works well with almost everything on the barbecue.

Its earthy flavour complements:

• Chicken
• Fish
• Pork
• Vegetables
• Mediterranean dishes

Thyme is easy to grow, drought tolerant and ideal for pots. Regular harvesting encourages bushy growth throughout the season.

Sage

Sage brings a rich, savoury flavour that works particularly well with pork, sausages and grilled vegetables.

The soft leaves can be chopped into marinades or added to herb butters served alongside barbecue dishes.

Sage enjoys full sun and rewards gardeners with attractive silver-green foliage throughout the year.

Oregano

Oregano is one of the most useful herbs for outdoor cooking.

Its warm Mediterranean flavour works beautifully with grilled vegetables, chicken skewers, flatbreads and tomato-based dishes.

It is also easy to grow, low maintenance and ideal for beginner gardeners looking to create a BBQ herb garden.

Mint

Mint may not be the first herb people associate with barbecues, but it is one of the most versatile.

Fresh mint can be used in:

• Summer salads
• Yoghurt sauces
• Drinks
• Fruit dishes
• Marinades

Mint grows enthusiastically, so it is best planted in a container where it can be easily controlled.

Basil

Basil is a summer favourite that adds freshness to almost any outdoor meal.

It pairs beautifully with:

• Tomatoes
• Mozzarella
• Pasta salads
• Grilled vegetables

Sweet basil thrives in warm, sunny conditions and is perfect for patio containers or greenhouse growing.

Chives

Chives provide a mild onion flavour that works well in dressings, potato salads and finishing sauces.

Their attractive purple flowers also help attract pollinators to the garden, making them a useful addition to both herb gardens and ornamental planting schemes.

Chives are easy to grow and return year after year.

Parsley

Parsley is often overlooked, but it is one of the most useful herbs for summer cooking.

It can be:

• Chopped into salads
• Added to marinades
• Mixed into herb butters
• Sprinkled over grilled meats

Flat-leaf parsley offers a stronger flavour, while curly parsley provides attractive texture and decoration.

Coriander

For those who enjoy bold flavours, coriander is an excellent addition to a BBQ herb collection.

It works particularly well with:

• Chicken dishes
• Fish
• Spicy marinades
• Mexican-inspired recipes

Coriander grows quickly and can be harvested within weeks during the growing season.

Dill

Dill has a delicate flavour that pairs beautifully with fish, seafood, potatoes and fresh summer salads.

Its feathery foliage also adds attractive texture to herb gardens and containers.

Dill grows best in a sunny location and is particularly useful for gardeners who enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients.

How to Use Fresh Herbs on the BBQ

Fresh herbs can be used in many different ways when cooking outdoors.

Try:

• Mixing chopped herbs into marinades
• Adding herbs to homemade burgers
• Blending herbs into sauces and dressings
• Creating herb-infused butter
• Scattering fresh herbs over cooked dishes
• Using woody herbs such as rosemary to flavour charcoal

The key is to experiment. Different combinations can create completely different flavours and help elevate even the simplest barbecue meals.

Best Herb and BBQ Food Pairings

Some classic combinations include:

• Rosemary with lamb and potatoes
• Thyme with chicken and fish
• Sage with pork and sausages
• Oregano with grilled vegetables
• Mint with salads and summer drinks
• Basil with tomatoes and mozzarella
• Dill with fish and seafood
• Parsley with almost everything

These combinations are simple, reliable and perfect for summer entertaining.

Tips for Growing Herbs in Pots, Patios and Small Gardens

If you do not have a large garden, herbs are still one of the easiest edible crops to grow.

A collection of containers can provide an impressive harvest throughout summer. Choose pots with good drainage, use quality compost and place them somewhere sunny.

Grouping herbs near your kitchen or outdoor dining area makes them easier to harvest and encourages regular use.

Many gardeners find that a small herb collection quickly becomes one of the most productive areas of their garden.

Frequently Asked Questions: About herbs you can use at a BBQ