Dill is a fresh, feathery herb with a light flavor that works especially well with fish, potatoes, eggs, pickles and yogurt-based sauces.
The challenge is using the whole bunch before it wilts. This guide covers how to store fresh dill, freeze extras, choose a substitute and understand the difference between fresh dill, dill weed and dill seed.
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What is dill?
Dill is a leafy herb with thin stems and soft, feathery green fronds. It belongs to the same plant family as celery and parsley, and both its leaves and seeds are used in cooking.
The leafy portion is often called dill weed, while dill seeds are used as a spice.
What does dill taste like?
Fresh dill has a light, fresh flavor with grassy notes and a subtle hint of anise or licorice.
That delicate flavor works well with mild foods such as fish, potatoes, cucumbers, eggs, and yogurt.
Dill seed vs. dill weed: What’s the difference?
Dill weed and dill seed come from the same plant, but they have different flavor strengths and uses.
| Dill weed | Dill seed |
What it is | Leaves and tender stems | Seeds of the dill plant |
Flavor | Fresh, grassy, delicate | Stronger and more concentrated |
Best for | Fish, dips, potatoes, salads | Pickling, spice blends, cooked dishes |
Sold as | Fresh or dried | Usually dried |
Is dill weed the same as dill?
In everyday cooking, “dill weed” usually means the leafy green part of the dill plant. When a recipe calls for fresh dill, this is usually the part it means.
Fresh dill vs. dried dill
Fresh dill has a brighter, more delicate flavor and works best added near the end of cooking or used raw. Dried dill has a more muted flavor and works well in cooked dishes, spice blends or when fresh dill is not available.
- Use fresh dill when the herb is noticeable in the final dish, such as yogurt sauces, potato salad, fish, eggs, dressings or garnishes.
- Use dried dill when convenience matters or when the herb will cook into the dish.
If fresh dill isn’t available, you can also browse dried dill on Instacart.
How to use fresh dill
Dill can be used in fish dishes, potatoes, eggs, soups, dips, salads and pickles. It also works well with cucumbers, yogurt, lemon, and garlic, so one bunch can move across several meals.
- Salmon and other fish
- Potatoes
- Eggs
- Cucumbers
- Yogurt sauces and dips
- Soups
- Salad dressings
- Chicken
- Pickled vegetables
How to chop dill
- Rinse the dill if needed.
- Dry it thoroughly.
- Remove any thick or tough lower stems.
- Gather the fronds into a loose pile.
- Chop to the size your recipe needs.
The thinner, tender stems can usually be chopped along with the leaves, so you do not need to pick off every tiny stem.
What foods go well with dill?
- Salmon: pair with lemon, yogurt or a creamy sauce.
- Potatoes: mix into potato salad or sprinkle over roasted potatoes.
- Cucumber: use in salads, pickles or yogurt sauces.
- Eggs: stir into scrambled eggs, omelets or egg salad.
- Yogurt: mix into dips and sauces.
- Lemon and garlic: use with fish, chicken, vegetables or dressings.
How to store fresh dill
Fresh dill should be refrigerated, and the goal is to keep the delicate leaves from drying out or becoming too wet.
Two easy fridge methods work well depending on how you like to store herbs.
Method 1: Store dill like flowers
- Trim the stem ends if needed.
- Place the stems upright in a small jar or glass with a little water.
- Keep the leaves above the water line.
- Refrigerate.
Method 2: Use a paper towel
- Make sure the dill is dry.
- Wrap it loosely in a clean paper towel.
- Place it in a food-storage bag or container.
- Refrigerate.
The idea is to avoid both extremes: letting the fronds dry out completely or trapping so much moisture that they turn slimy.
How long does fresh dill last?
Fresh dill can keep for about a week when stored properly in the refrigerator. The exact timeline depends on how fresh it was when you bought it and how it is stored, so appearance and smell still matter.
Can you freeze dill?
Yes, dill can be frozen. Freezing is useful when you have more fresh dill than you can use before it starts to wilt.
Frozen dill loses the fresh-looking texture that makes it a good garnish, but it can still work well in cooked dishes, sauces and dressings.
How to freeze dill
- Wash the dill if needed.
- Drain it and pat it completely dry.
- Portion the sprigs or chopped dill.
- Place in freezer-safe wrapping, a bag or a container.
- Seal and freeze.
How to tell if dill is bad
If dill is soft, badly discolored, smells strange or has mold, discard it.
- Major yellow or dark discoloration
- Slimy leaves or stems
- Visible mold
- An unpleasant or unusual smell
- Wet, mushy fronds that have broken down
A little wilting does not always mean dill is unusable. If it still smells fresh and has no signs of spoilage, it may still work in a cooked dish or sauce where appearance matters less.
Best substitutes for dill
Tarragon, fennel, chervil, basil, and other herbs can stand in for dill depending on the recipe.
There is no single perfect substitute, so choose based on what the dill is doing in the dish.
Dill substitute | Best for | What changes |
Tarragon | Fish, chicken, sauces | Stronger anise-like flavor |
Fennel fronds | Fish, salads, garnish | More noticeable licorice flavor |
Parsley | Salads, potatoes, garnish | Milder and less distinctive |
Chervil | Eggs, sauces, fish | Delicate with light anise notes |
Best substitute for fresh dill
For fish or sauces, tarragon or fennel fronds can bring some of dill’s herbal, lightly anise-like character. For potato salad, eggs or garnish, parsley or chervil can be an easy alternative.
Best substitute for dried dill
If a recipe calls for dried dill and you have fresh dill, fresh dill can often fill the same general role, although the flavor strength will be different.
If you do not have either one, choose another herb based on the recipe instead of making an automatic one-for-one swap.
How to choose fresh dill
Look for fresh dill with green, unwilted leaves and fresh-looking stems. Avoid bunches with major yellowing, slimy spots or obvious damage.
Easy ways to use dill
Dill works in more than one classic dish, so a bunch can move from dinner to a snack or side without much planning.
Dill pickles and pickle dip
Dill and pickles are a classic pairing. For the full pickling process, use Instacart’s How to Make Pickles at Home guide.
Salmon with dill
Dill pairs especially well with salmon and other fish. Lemon, yogurt and creamy sauces are easy ways to build around that pairing.
Tzatziki
Dill is often used with yogurt and cucumber in tzatziki-style sauces. For more on the sauce itself, see Instacart’s tzatziki guide.
Dill potato salad
Fresh dill adds a bright herbal flavor to potato salad and works with both creamy dressings and lighter lemon-and-oil versions.
Dill recipe ideas
These Instacart recipes link directly to dishes that use dill.
Dill potato salad with red onion
Use fresh dill in Dill Potato Salad with Red Onion for a classic side.
Salmon fillet with dill sauce
Pair dill with salmon in Salmon Fillet with Dill Sauce.
Cream cheese dill pickle dip
For a snack or appetizer, try Cream Cheese Dill Pickle Dip.
Greek meatballs with tzatziki sauce
This Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce recipe uses dill in the yogurt-and-cucumber sauce.
Salmon with lemon dill sauce
For another fish option, try Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce.
Dill FAQs
Can you eat dill stems?
Yes. Thin, tender dill stems can be chopped and used with the leaves. The thicker lower stems are more fibrous, so you may want to remove them for sauces, salads or garnishes.
When should you add fresh dill while cooking?
Fresh dill has a delicate flavor, so adding at least some near the end of cooking can help it stay noticeable. You can also save a little fresh dill for the finish.
Is dill weed the same as dried dill?
Dried dill labeled “dill weed” is the dried leafy part of the dill plant. That is different from dill seed, which comes from the seeds and has a stronger flavor.
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