Did You Know?
Bay laurel was sacred to Apollo in ancient Greece; winners of the Pythian Games were crowned with bay laurel wreaths — the origin of 'poet laureate' and 'baccalaureate'.
Overview
Mediterranean · year-round · herbs
Bay leaf is the aromatic dried leaf of the Laurus nobilis tree, releasing a subtle herbal flavor that infuses soups, stews, marinades, and braises during slow cooking.
Mediterranean
Origin
year-round
Season
Easy
Difficulty
herbs
Category
Flavor Profile
Herbyfloralslightly bitter
Storage Tips
Dried bay leaves keep for 1–2 years in an airtight container; fresh leaves can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Photo Gallery
How to Cook with Bay Leaf
Recipes, pairings, substitutes, and professional tips
Cooking Tips
Add whole at the start of cooking and remove before serving — never eat them; dried are more flavorful than fresh for long cooking.
Best Pairings
stocktomato saucelentilsbeefpotatolamb
Substitutes
Dried thyme + fresh rosemary sprig; or dried oregano
Nutrition & Health Benefits
The nutritional profile and health properties of Bay Leaf
Nutrition Highlights
calories
313 kcal per 100g (dried)
key_nutrients
Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, manganese, eucalyptol
Quick Facts
Categoryherbs
OriginMediterranean
Seasonyear-round
DifficultyEasy
Health Benefits
May help improve insulin sensitivity; anti-inflammatory; contains eucalyptol and linalool with antioxidant properties.
Bay Leaf Photos
2 photos showcasing Bay Leaf in its many forms
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Bay Leaf
herbs
OriginMediterranean
Seasonyear-round
DifficultyEasy
Flavor Notes
Herbyfloralslightly bitter
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Pairs Well With
stocktomato saucelentilsbeefpotatolamb
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