What To Do With Too Much Fresh Mint

Last Updated on May 10, 2023 by Ellen Christian

Years ago, I decided that I wanted to plant as many herbs as possible in my herb garden and around the house. I love being able to walk outside in the summer and snip off fresh herbs to cook or use in crafts.  So, while not all the herbs I planted have survived, many have including my peppermint.

Too Much Fresh Mint

I think I went a little crazy when I planted mint. I planted apple mint, peppermint, chocolate mint, and spearmint. They can all pretty much be used the same way. There are just some slight differences in taste and scent. I love the way the chocolate mint smells, but it was the first one that we lost to cold weather. Peppermint and spearmint seem to be the hardiest. Either way, I usually have too much fresh mint to use up.

What to do with mint harvest

Since mints tend to grow very well and can be slightly invasive, you may be wondering what to do with too much fresh mint. So, when I’m faced with more than I can use, this is what I use it for:

• Dehydrate it and use it in tea. I always keep peppermint tea on hand for upset stomachs and digestive issues.

• Toss a few leaves into a salad. Any leafy green herb can be added to a garden salad so it’s a great use for too much fresh mint.

• Make infused water. Add strawberries and mint leaves to cold water and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. It’s delicious!

• Add it to iced tea. Have you wondered how to use mint leaves in tea? I love using fresh mint in my Templeton Iced Tea recipe. It’s also delicious in homemade lemonade.

• Add it to homemade applesauce. It’s delicious in my homemade applesauce with cranberries.

• Make mint sugar. Add a few mint leaves to 1/3 cup of white sugar and process in the food processor. Use it like traditional sugar for a unique taste. Or, try my peppermint simple syrup.

More ideas to use too much fresh mint

• Chop and add to fresh fruit. Chop it up and add it to cantaloupe, strawberries, honeydew melon, and other summer fruits because it’s so refreshing.

• Freshen your breath. Chew a few leaves to freshen your breath instead of using breath mints because it has no sugar!

• Relieve congestion. Add a handful of fresh peppermint leaves to a glass of water. Bring to a boil. Take off the heat and inhale the steam to help relieve congestion.

• Add to pesto.  Toss a few leaves in your next homemade pesto recipe because it’s delicious!

• Use as a decoration. Add several sprigs of fresh mint to a glass pitcher of water. Set on your table for a nature-based decoration.

• Top your favorite dessert. Add a few sprigs to top a meringue, chocolate cake, pudding, or other sweet treats because it adds a delicious taste.

• Make a batch of my Apple and Mint Jelly recipe to enjoy throughout the year.

So, enjoy the final days of summer and use up that fresh mint while you have it. While you can dehydrate it for use during the winter, fresh always tastes better.

Medicinal uses of mint leaves

As I mentioned above, mint (including peppermint) is a wonderful home remedy for upset stomach and indigestion. Mint also has anti-inflammatory properties and has shown to be effective for managing allergy symptoms.

Finally, because mint contains menthol, it is helpful in relieving congestion and other symptoms related to the common cold.

Tip for cutting too much fresh mint

I find that using herbs when I cook is much easier when I have herb scissors. It makes a much more uniform cut and saves a lot of time snipping herbs into little pieces. Finally, it also makes storing fresh mint leaves a lot easier.

So, now that you know what to do with a lot of mint, what will you try first?

Mint leaves with water suggestions

A big glass of ice-cold water with your favorite fruits and herbs is one of the most refreshing ways to cool off on a hot summer day. So, here are a few flavor combinations.

• Cucumber, lemon, and mint

• Melon, lime, and mint

• Strawberries and mint

• Chamomille leaves and mint leaves

• Orange, lemon, lime, and mint

• Pineapple and mint

Check out this awesome video on making your own mint extract! I can’t wait to try this.

So, why not learn what to do with fresh basil. And, if you enjoy gardening, learn how to attract frogs to your garden because frogs are a definite must-have for your garden!

Or, check out the yummy recipe for mint jelly in this post because yum!

Ellen Christian

Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.