20+ Uses for Mint and Delicious Mint Recipes

Uses for mint are endless. Body care, aromatherapy and delicious recipes – mint does it all! Here are the best uses for mint from around the web.

Want to see some magic? Plant a little plug of mint in your garden and watch the whole bed gradually disappear beneath the spreading mint leaves. Voila – magic!!

Seriously though, mint is a fantastic producer with tons of amazing uses. It ranks alongside lavender as being one of the most versatile herbs. In fact, if you’re new to growing or using herbs, I’d recommend you start with mint. You’ll be able to jump right in, easily growing and/or using that lovely mint for a variety of things.

Fresh and dried mint uses include aromatherapy, body care, hygiene and of course, delicious recipes of every kind. Aside from those uses, did you know that there are also many health benefits of mint? Just one more reason to love mint!

I’ve rounded up some of the best uses and recipes for mint and I can’t wait to share (and use) all of these amazing ideas!

Uses for Mint

It’s not hard to find creative ways to use fresh or dried mint.

• Add a few mint leaves whole or chopped to your ice cube tray for mint ice cubes. It makes for very refreshing drinks and smoothies!
• Chop some fresh mint leaves and sprinkle over ice cream, cubed watermelon or other fruit.
• Add mint leaves to your bath water for an at-home spa treatment.
• In place of gum or mouthwash, chew a few mint leaves for minty fresh breath.
• Use mint as a natural insect repellent by growing it near seating areas or placing a satchel of dried mint on an outdoor dining table.
• Add mint to any salad from fresh green salad to potato salad. It’ll put a unique twist on your favorite dishes!
• Use fresh or dried mint in DIY body care products, like sugar scrubs.
• Dry mint leaves for use in a fabulous mint potpourri.
• Try a bit of fresh mint, eaten medicinally or in an herbal tea, to calm symptoms of indigestion and upset stomach.
• Make mint extract for flavoring drinks and baked goods. I love using it in these chocolate mint layered fudge pops!
• Whip up some soothing mint tea using fresh or dried mint. Get fancy with added ingredients or keep it simple with just mint leaves and hot water.
• Try an amazing recipe like mint brownies or mint sauce. There are lots to choose from!
• Plant way too much mint and try to pawn it off on the neighbors. (Maybe that’s just me….?)

As you can see, there are many great ways to use mint. Keep reading to see some of my favorite ideas!

Types of Mint You Can Grow in Your Garden

Mint is super easy to grow. See this article from Bonnie Plants if you want help growing mint (and containing it, too!).

You can choose from many different mint types.

• Peppermint
• Chocolate Mint
• Spearmint
• Apple Mint
• Orange Mint
• Lavender Mint
• Pineapple Mint

That’s not even the full list of mint varieties that you can grow in your garden! For an exhaustive list, see Mint Plant Varieties: Types of Mint for the Garden from Gardening Know How.

If you plan to grow mint for culinary uses, make sure it is an edible variety. Some types should not be eaten.

Ideas for Using Mint for Home and Body

1: Cucumber Mint Scrub

I’m thinking that a jar of Cucumber Mint Scrub from Azure Farm Life would be a wonderful and inexpensive gift. It sounds so refreshing! I’ll definitely be adding it to my list of must-try’s.

2: Cucumber Mint Bath Soak

For the bath salt lover, how about a Cucumber Mint Bath Soak? It sound like the perfect way to relax and unwind. Make this on it’s own or pair this bath soak with the cucumber mint sugar scrub and you’ve got yourself and totally charming gift set. Thanks to The Nerdy Farm Wife for the recipe!

3: Minty Mint Bath

If relaxing in a warm bath with lavender and mint sounds as good to you as it does to me, then you must try this Minty Mint Bath from Mama Rosemary. Have a luxurious spa treatment at home!

4: Lemon Mint Stove Top Potpourri

I love this idea for using mint – Lemon Mint Stove Top Potpourri from Remodelaholic. Grab just a handful of natural ingredients and simmer away. You’ll have a fresh-smelling home in no time!

5: Fresh Mint Lip Balm and Salves

The Nerdy Farm Wife has not one, but 3 recipes for making fresh mint lip balm and salves. That sounds like a great way to use garden mint! Click on over to her website to get the incredible recipes.

6: Lime Mint Ginger Summer Stovetop Potpourri Recipe

Another stove potpourri! This recipe for lime mint ginger summer stovetop potpourri comes from The Midwest Kitchen Blog. That mixture of ingredients sounds heavenly to me.

Delicious Mint Recipes

7: Mint Extract

Learn how to make Mint Extract from yours truly here at TIDBITS. Mint extract can be made from fresh or dry mint leaves and it’s an excellent pantry staple. I love using mine in recipes and giving it away as gifts. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make!

8: Fresh Mint Tea (Hot or Iced)

Try this recipe from Gimme Some Oven for a hot or iced fresh mint tea. You only need mint leaves and water for a simple tea, but throw in some lime and sweetener for a mojito-style drink. Yum!

9: Homemade Mint Sauce

Need to use up some garden mint? Try a homemade mint sauce to go with your next roast. Lamb is traditional, but pork, chicken, beef or even just rice, pasta or bread would taste amazing with some mint sauce. This version from Kitchen Sanctuary looks fresh, easy and so delicious!

10: Mint Infused Sugar

Want some mint-infused sugar to use as a topping or to add to your favorite beverages and baked goods? If so, then try this recipe for mint infused sugar from The Sage at Gardenuity. I can’t wait to test drive this beautiful recipe!

11: Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint chocolate chip cookies made with fresh garden mint. Now that sounds like a good idea to me! Christina at Dessert for Two has a recipe that you must try, especially if you have mint from the garden to harvest.

12: Shamrock Shake with Real Mint

A real-deal, fresh and creamy mint milk shake without food coloring? Yes, please! Joanie Simon will show you how it’s done. I’m betting there are a million ways to customize this tasty treat.

13: Refined Sugar Free Homemade Mint Jelly

Sweet and savory – there are so many great uses for mint! I’ve got my eye on this refined sugar free homemade mint jelly brought to us by Larder Love. It makes an incredible topping for savory meat dishes of all kinds.

14: Fresh Mint Brownies

No list of mint recipes is complete without a mint brownie entry. This recipe from Poetry and Pies is unique because it uses fresh mint for the perfect minty/chocolate flavor. What a fantastic idea!

15: Easy Pineapple Mint Popsicles

Cookie + Katie has an easy pineapple mint popsicle recipe that I must try. It sounds healthy and delicious with only mint and pineapple for the ingredients. Lots of good flavor and nutrition. Thanks for sharing!

16: Fresh Mint Dressing

I couldn’t resist adding another recipe from Cookie + Kate. It looked too good to pass up! This recipe is for a fresh mint dressing. I’d love to pour some of this over my next salad.

17: Strawberry Mint Smoothie

We all know that mint and chocolate are a match made in heaven, but that’s not the only flavor you can pair mint with. How about trying a strawberry mint smoothie? Give this one from Home Cooking Memories a try.

18: Mint Simple Syrup

This mint simple syrup recipe from The Spruce Eats looks easy and can be. All you need it water, sugar and mint leaves. Simmer, strain and you’re ready to go! You can keep a bottle of mint syrup handy in the refrigerator for flavoring drinks, topping ice cream, grilled fruit, or yogurt.

19: Mint Pesto

Nicki at From Scratch Fast has an easy mint pesto recipe. Doesn’t that look good?! A few tablespoons of her mint pesto would perk up any boring dish.

20: Chocolate Mint Layered Fudge Pops

This delicious recipe, from the TIDBITS kitchen, features mint extract, but because you can make mint extract from fresh or dried mint leaves, I’m throwing it in here. These chocolate mint layered fudge pops are the perfect summer treat!

More Ways to Use Your Favorite Herbs

These mint projects and recipes are calling your name. Try a few today and let me know what your favorite uses for mint are. It’s time to experi-mint! (Sorry, but you know it had to be said!)

If you’re interested in more great ways to use herbs, try one of these creative ideas:

• 30+ Creative Ideas for Using Lavender in Your Home and Craft Projects
• 20+ Recipes with Lavender That You’ll Want to Try
• How to Make Lavender Extract and Tinctures
• How to Make Yarrow Wound Powder
• Make Your Own Chive Blossom Vinegar
• How to Make Nourishing Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
• The Best Recipe for Pesto with Basil
• Healthy and Refreshing Basil Iced Tea Recipe
• What to Make with Fresh Basil | 10 Brilliant Ideas
• DIY Linen Lavender Eye Pillows
• Natural Cold and Flu Remedies That You Can Make at Home with Herbs
• The Study of Medicinal Herbs | Learn with Me!
• The 10 Best Garden Herbs to Grow at Home