Can you cook with creeping thyme?

Creeping thyme is a popular herb used in cooking for its aromatic and savory flavor. Known by its scientific name Thymus praecox, creeping thyme is a low-growing thyme species that tends to creep along the ground. It has small green leaves and pink or purple flowers. Creeping thyme is commonly used in Mediterranean, Italian, and French cuisine. So can you cook with creeping thyme? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Creeping Thyme?

Creeping thyme, sometimes called mother of thyme or wild thyme, is a species of thyme that grows close to the ground. It is a perennial herb that grows 3-6 inches tall and spreads up to 18 inches wide. Creeping thyme is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and is native to the mountainous regions of southern Europe. It has tiny aromatic leaves that attach to woody stems. The leaves are typically 1⁄4 inch long. Creeping thyme produces pink to purple flowers on 4 inch long flower spikes. The flowers are very attractive to bees.

There are a few different varieties of creeping thyme to choose from. Some of the most popular include:

• Pink creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’) -Has bright magenta pink flowers
• White creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Albus’) – Has white flowers
• Purple creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Purpurescens’) – Has reddish-purple flowers
• Red creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Splendens’) – Has ruby red flowers
• Elfin creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Elfin’) – A dwarf variety growing 1-2 inches tall

Creeping thyme grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It thrives in USDA zones 5-9. This herb is drought tolerant once established. Creeping thyme spreads rapidly and makes an excellent groundcover. It can tolerate light foot traffic.

Culinary Uses

The tiny aromatic leaves of creeping thyme can be used fresh or dried in cooking. Thyme has an earthy, woodsy flavor with subtle minty lemon undertones. It pairs well with meats, vegetables, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, and beans.

Here are some of the most popular ways to use creeping thyme:

• Seasoning for meats like chicken, fish, lamb, and beef
• Marinades, rubs, and brines
• Stews, soups, and stocks
• Sauces like tomato sauce and beurre blanc
• Stuffings and dressings
• Roasted and grilled vegetables
• Herb butters and oils
• Compound butter
• Bread dipping oil
• Salad dressing
• Quiche and frittata
• Sautéed greens
• Pesto
• Infused vinegars and oils
• Herbes de Provence spice blend
• Tea
• Lemon thyme cookies
• Cakes

Creeping thyme works very well when paired with basil, oregano, marjoram, parsley, sage, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper.

Health Benefits

In addition to adding flavor to food, creeping thyme provides some health benefits. Creeping thyme contains antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and thymol. These antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. Thyme also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Some of the potential health benefits of creeping thyme include:

• Supports the immune system
• Antibacterial properties to help fight infections
• Anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce pain and swelling
• Antioxidants to counter free radicals
• May benefit heart health
• Could help digestion
• May have cancer preventing abilities

Thyme essential oil is sometimes used in aromatherapy for its relaxing and stress-relieving properties. Always properly dilute essential oils before topical use.

How to Cook with Creeping Thyme

When cooking with fresh creeping thyme, use the leaves whole or chopped. The woody stems are typically discarded. You can also use dried creeping thyme if fresh is not available. Dried creeping thyme has a more concentrated flavor, so you generally need to use less than if using fresh. One teaspoon of dried creeping thyme equals one tablespoon fresh. Here are some tips for cooking with creeping thyme:

• Add fresh or dried creeping thyme at the beginning of cooking so the flavors have time to meld
• Use about 1 teaspoon fresh or 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme per pound of meat
• Rub creeping thyme on meats and vegetables before roasting
• Add to tomato sauces, stews, stuffings, and omelets
• Use to season roasted root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips
• Add to bread dough and biscuits
• Make thyme infused oil by adding sprigs of fresh thyme to olive oil. Infuse for 1-2 weeks then remove thyme.
• Use creeping thyme sprigs as a basting brush for meats and vegetables
• Make a creeping thyme simple syrup by steeping fresh sprigs in a sugar syrup solution. Use in cocktails and desserts.
• Add creeping thyme to marinades along with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and pepper
• To dry fresh creeping thyme, wrap in cheesecloth and hang to air dry. Then crumble and store in an airtight container.

Creeping Thyme Recipes

Here are some delicious recipes using creeping thyme:

Roasted Chicken with Creeping Thyme

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, 3-4 lbs
• 2 tsp dried creeping thyme
• 2 lemons
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1⁄4 tsp each salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place in roasting pan.
3. Combine creeping thyme, zest from 1 lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub mixture all over chicken.
4. Slice 1 lemon and place slices inside chicken cavity along with a few sprigs of fresh creeping thyme.
5. Roast chicken for 1 to 1 1⁄4 hours until juices run clear when thigh is pierced.
6. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Creeping Thyme Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 1 lb mushrooms like cremini or white
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp fresh creeping thyme leaves
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Clean mushrooms and slice if large. Leave small mushrooms whole.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and cook 2 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
3. Add mushrooms and creeping thyme. Sauté 5 minutes.
4. Add vegetable broth and lemon juice. Cook 3-5 more minutes until liquid is reduced.
5. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.

Lemon Creeping Thyme Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp fresh creeping thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1⁄2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
3. Add lemon zest, creeping thyme and vanilla. Mix well.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix just until combined.
6. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
7. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly golden brown.
8. Cool on pan 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Where to Buy Creeping Thyme

You can find fresh creeping thyme in the produce section of some grocery stores, at farmers markets, or from online herb retailers. Look for sprigs with healthy green leaves and no browning or wilting. Make sure stems look fresh.

Dried creeping thyme can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores or ordered online. Some locations to find creeping thyme include:

• Grocery store spice aisle or produce section
• Farmers market
• Health food stores
• Plant nurseries and garden centers
• Online herb and spice retailers like Penzey’s and Savory Spice Shop
• Amazon

When buying dried creeping thyme look for jars or bags labeled Thymus praecox to ensure it is creeping thyme versus common thyme which is Thymus vulgaris. Creeping thyme has a milder, less pungent flavor than common thyme.

How to Grow Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme is very easy to grow. It thrives in zones 5-9 and appreciates full sun and very well-drained soil. Follow these simple steps to grow creeping thyme from seeds or transplants:

From Seeds

1. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Surface sow seeds on starter soil and lightly cover. Keep moist and at 65-70°F.
2. Transplant seedlings outside after hardening off when daytime temps are 50-60°F. Space 4-6 inches apart.
3. Grow in full sun and sandy, gravelly soil with good drainage.
4. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Don’t overwater.
5. Trim lightly in summer to encourage new growth. Cut back by 1/3 after flowering.

From Transplants

1. Find creeping thyme transplants at your local garden nursery after the last frost date.
2. Transplant into the garden spacing plants 4-6 inches apart.
3. Grow in a sunny spot with sandy, gravelly soil.
4. Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry between waterings.
5. Trim back lightly during summer. Cut back by 1/3 after flowering.

Propagate creeping thyme from stem cuttings taken in spring or summer. Cut a 4 inch stem right below a leaf node. Remove bottom leaves. Dip cut end in rooting hormone. Plant in starter soil and keep moist and warm. Roots should develop within a few weeks.

How to Store Fresh Creeping Thyme

To store fresh creeping thyme:

• Short Term: Store freshly cut sprigs of creeping thyme in glass of water on the counter. Cover loosely with plastic bag and use within 3-5 days.
• Long Term: Wrap creeping thyme sprigs in a paper towel and place inside a Ziploc bag. Store in warmest part of refrigerator up to two weeks.
• Freezing: Creeping thyme freezes very well. Wash sprigs, let dry, and place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 6 months. Use from frozen in cooked dishes.

How to Dry Creeping Thyme

Here are two methods for drying fresh creeping thyme at home:

Air Drying:

1. Harvest creeping thyme sprigs in morning after dew dries.
2. Wash and gently shake off excess water.
3. Wrap stems loosely in paper towel or bundle with string.
4. Hang bundles upside down in warm, dry, dark place with good airflow.
5. Dry for 1-2 weeks until crispy. Leaves should crumble off stems.
6. Remove leaves and place in airtight jar. Store in cool dark place up to 1 year.

Oven Drying:

1. Preheat oven to lowest setting, usually 170°F.
2. Wash thyme sprigs gently and dry well with towel.
3. Place in single layer on baking sheet lined with parchment.
4. Bake 2-4 hours with oven door propped open. Check every 30 minutes.
5. Leaves are dry when crispy and crumbly.
6. Remove leaves and place in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dark place.

Substitutes for Creeping Thyme

If you don’t have creeping thyme, some good substitutes include:

• Common thyme – The most widely used thyme for cooking. Flavor is stronger than creeping thyme.
• Lemon thyme – Milder flavor with lemony notes.
• Marjoram or oregano – Similar earthy flavor.
• Summer savory – Delicate flavor works well in beans, eggs, and vegetables.
• Herbes de Provence – Blend uses thyme so flavors will be complementary.

For every 1 teaspoon fresh creeping thyme, substitute 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme or fines herbes. Start with less and adjust to taste. The flavor will be more pronounced with dried herbs.

Conclusion

Creeping thyme is an easy-to-grow herb that adds aromatic flavor to many dishes. It can be used fresh or dried in meats, vegetables, soups, and sauces. Creeping thyme has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that provide health benefits. Use fresh sprigs or dried leaves in your favorite recipes to enjoy the unique flavor of creeping thyme.