• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

our recipes + your inbox = the eatmail

Join now

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • About
  • Contact

Live Eat Learn

Easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time

free ebook

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • Recipe Index
  • Vegetarian 101
  • Travel
  • Meal Plans
  • Course
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Appetizers
    • Sweets
    • Drinks
  • Diet
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Raw
    • Vegan
  • Season
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Ingredient
    • Avocado
    • Bean
    • Cauliflower
    • Chickpeas
    • Eggplant
    • Mushroom
    • Tofu
    • Quinoa
    • View All
  • Collections
    • All Time Favorites
    • Air Frying
    • Budget Friendly
    • Comfort Food
    • High Protein
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless Monday
    • View All
  • Visit our kombucha site
    Visit our dog food blog
Home Vegetarian Cooking 101 Ingredient Guides

Sage 101

Share
Share on:
By: Sarah BondUpdated: Mar 29, 2022 Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

Everything you need to know about the herb sage, from its uses and tasty recipes to where it comes from (and even why people burn sage)!

An up close view at sage leaves layered on top of one another

What is Sage?

Many of us are familiar with what sage is, but how many of us know how to properly add it to dishes to get the perfect flavor? Today, we’re covering everything there is to know about the sweet and minty-smelling herb.

Sage is a part of the mint family. Like other types of herbs, it comes in fresh, dried, and oil forms. The dried form is most commonly used in average household cooking. It has a strong, earthy, citrusy, and minty flavor, and just a little bit goes a long way. As for fresh sage? It’s even stronger!

There are two main types of the sage plant, and these are referred to as common/garden sage and white sage. While the garden variety is used in cooking, the white variety is used for ceremonial purposes, like cleansing spaces. More on that in a minute!

How to Use Sage

Sage can be added to recipes in dried or fresh form. When dried, it comes in rubbed and powdered forms. It can be used as a garnish, or it can be cooked into recipes to add a deeper flavor.

You’ll find it in dishes like pasta (it’s great in tomato sauce), bread oils, or stuffing. It also works well when used as part of a flavoring for plant-based meats like tofu or tempeh.

A sprig of sage against a white background

The Benefits Of Sage

In Egyptian and Roman culture, garden sage was used for medicinal purposes. Treatments included aiding in memory, digestion, and soreness. In Mediterranean culture, the herb was used to support fertility. It sounds like they were onto something, as these are many of the benefits the herb boasts today.

First, it is high in Vitamin K, providing 10% of the recommended daily value in just one teaspoon. It is rich in antioxidants and supports everything from blood sugar and brain health to healing and memory.

Fun fact! In the 14th century, some used its antibacterial properties in an attempt to ward off the plague.

An up close view detailing the colors and textures of herb leaves

Where it Grows

Garden sage comes from the Mediterranean region (like many other herbs, including thyme and dill!). Today, you can find it grown across globe in Turkey, Italy, Spain, the United States, and more.

It is harvested in the spring and summer. If growing it in your at-home garden, be sure to pick it before it grows flowers, as it starts to lose its potency during this time.

how to store Sage

The best way to store sage is to wrap it in a damp paper towel and then place it inside a sandwich baggie. This will help lengthen its shelf life by a couple of extra days. You can expect it to last for around 5, but discard if you notice wilting or black edges. And if your herb is fuzzy, don’t worry! That texture is normal.

A damp paper towel with herb sprigs resting on top
Sage wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed inside a baggie

Why do People Burn Sage?

Though garden sage originated in the Mediterranean region, the same isn’t true for the white version of the plant. Instead, white sage is native to Southern California, and for this reason, has deep roots in Native American culture.

This plant has for centuries been used more ceremoniously and medically than the garden herb. In Native American culture, burning it is a spiritual ritual used to cleanse spaces, clear out energies, and more. It is also used medicinally for menstruation pain, anxiety, headaches, and even concentration.

An up close view detailing the colors and textures of sage leaves

Recipes using Sage

Sage adds delicious earthy, herby flavor to a variety of dishes. Try it in these recipes!

  • Try it in this rich and creamy Pumpkin Pasta.
  • For something hearty and filling, Sweet Potato Gnocchi makes a great option.
  • Vegetable Bread Stuffing is a must try. Made with sourdough and vegan!
  • Lastly, try the herb in this Brown Butter and Sage Fluffy Mashed Cauliflower for a deliciously savory side dish.
Sweet potato gnocchi in a bowl on a white background

You may also like...

  • Bananas 101
  • vegetarian fall recipes collage
    17 Vegetarian Fall Recipes
  • This Vegan Banana Bread is loaded with dates, almond butter, and a plant-based cream cheese filling that makes it ultra-moist!
    Vegan Banana Bread
  • collage of vegetarian winter recipes
    17 Vegetarian Winter Recipes
Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Rate this Recipe:




Primary Sidebar

Hello

I'm Sarah

A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

Let's Meet

Freebie alert!

3 reader-favorite cookbooks delivered straight to your inbox.

Get in now!

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Plate full of crispy chickpeas with a wooden spoon.

15 Minute Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Personal size mozzarella pizza cooked in an air fryer

Air Fryer Pizza

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Brussels sprouts on a plate with wooden serving spoons.

The Best 15 Minute Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Kale chips on a white plate.

10 Minute Air Fryer Kale Chips

Dinner This Week

Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl

M

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

T

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

Vegan Thai red curry in a bowl on a red background

W

Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry

Vegan nachos on a black plate on a white background - These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ "pulled pork" and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

R

BBQ Mushroom Pulled Pork

Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos

F

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Lemon risotto in a bowl with basil on a yellow background

S

Lemon Basil Risotto

As featured on:

3 bonus books!

Join our Eatmail newsletter to get free copies of our top 3 cookbooks, new recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more!

Follow Along

  • Easy Vegetarian Facebook Group
  • Kombucha Brewers Facebook Group
Back to Top
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Collaborate
© 2023 Live Eat Learn
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital