Bay Leaf. The most underused and misunderstood herb ever.
We throw it in soup. Maybe drop it in a pot of rice. Let it steep in a little tea. And then… we wait.
I saw a funny reel the other day about the bay leaf and it made me laugh. One of the comments said ” We don’t question the bay leaf. We just let it do it’s thing” So so true! haha!
No one really talks about it. No one says, “Oh wow, the bay leaf really brought this dish together.” And yet—it kind of does.
That quiet little leaf shows up, does its job, and slips away unnoticed. I used to be one of those people who barely thought about it.
Until I planted twenty bay trees in my backyard haha! Of course now, I’m obsessed with them, the smell ( sooooo good) and all the different ways you can use them in your own home.
So, why 20?
When we built our home, I dreamed of a backyard that was both beautiful and useful. I wanted green grass for the kids to play, a pool for those hot summer days, shady corners to read in, fireplaces for cozy nights, and a little garden where I could grow things we’d actually use—herbs, fruit, maybe even veggies.
Enter the bay leaf.
We lined the back wall of our yard with bay laurel trees. Not just because they look beautiful (they do!) or because they grow well here (that too), but because something about them felt timeless. Useful. Maybe even a little mysterious.
Our bays are of the Mediterranean variety. They have a jagged edge and have a deep subtle flavor. They are also known as bay laurel, sweet bay, true laurel, etc.
What I’ve Learned About Bay Leaves
Over the years, I’ve become a bit of a bay leaf girlie. Not because I meant to, but because when you’re surrounded by them, you start finding all kinds of ways to use them—and appreciate them.
Turns out, bay leaves are full of quiet power and so much more potent when they are fresh vs. dry.
Everyday Ways to Use Bay Leaves
For Cooking:
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Drop a couple into your rice or grains while they cook.
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Add to soups, stews, sauces, and broths for a layer of flavor that feels warm and rounded.
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Infuse olive oil with garlic and bay for a super simple dip or marinade.
- Baking bread? Line the proofing bowl and baking stone with a few fresh bay leaves.
- You can fill a jar with goat cheese, bay, herbs and olive oil for a marinated goat cheese.
- Make rice pudding with bay leaves.
- Infuse bay leaves in cream.
- For roasts line the roasting pan with a bed of bay leaves.
- Turkey? Stuff a few fresh leaves in the cavity.
- Use a few bay leaves on top and under what ever you are grilling.
- Infuse sugar syrup with bay leaves and use it in tea or desserts.
- DON’T EAT THE BAY LEAVES WHOLE
For Tea:
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Boil 2 fresh bay leaves with a cinnamon stick and a drizzle of honey. Soooo good after a long day.
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Try blending with chamomile or green tea—it’s calming and a little earthy.
Around the House:
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Dry a few and tuck them into pantry corners (they naturally repel bugs!).
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Simmer with citrus, rosemary, and cloves for a fresh stovetop fragrance.
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Add to bouquets or wreaths—they’re evergreen and smell amazing.
- Use them for decorating a table top or entryway arrangement.
Why You Might Want to Grow One Too
Bay laurel trees are surprisingly low maintenance once established.
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They love full sun and partial shade ( This is why the work in Arizona and coastal environments)
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You can grow them in pots or straight in the ground.
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You can shape them into hedges or trees.
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They’re evergreen, so you get color all year long.
Even just one little tree can give you more bay leaves than you’ll ever need (trust me).
Thinking About Selling (Just a Few!)
Over time, I’ve shared bay leaf bundles with friends—especially around the holidays. I tie them with a ribbon and include them in little care packages, or gift them with a loaf of homemade bread.
And now that the trees are thriving, I’m thinking about sharing them with a few of you, too. If you’re interested in having some fresh bay leaves sent your way, I’ll be opening a small Etsy shop soon. Just something simple. Homemade. From my backyard to yours.
→ Want first dibs?
The Best Kind of Backyard Surprise
The bay leaf isn’t the flashiest herb in our garden. But over time, it’s has become one of our favorites. It reminds me that useful things can still be beautiful. That quiet things can be powerful. And that there’s always more to something than meets the eye.
So here’s to the bay leaf!! A true star in my kitchen AND our outdoors.
Let me know in the comments: have you ever cooked with bay leaves? Or grown your own? I’d love to hear your ideas.
