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How to Make a Bouquet Garni

Follow our guide to making a flavorful bouquet garni, then watch our how-to video.

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How-To: Make a Bouquet Garni

A bouquet garni lends unmistakable flavor to soups, stews and stocks.

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Step 1: Wrap Your Herbs in Leeks

The classic French version is held together with leeks. Tip: You can also wrap a bouquet garni inside cheesecloth.

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Step 2: Add Herbs

Make a bouquet with parsley, thyme and a bay leaf. Tuck in some black peppercorns and you can even try some peeled garlic.

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Step 3: Tie With Kitchen Twine

Tie the bouquet up with kitchen twine. Keep the string long or short. A longer string helps you fish it out and a shorter string keeps things tidy.

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Step 4: Experiment With Flavors

Oh, and by the way, you don't eat the contents it's just for flavor. Experiment with whatever flavors you want: sage, parsley, rosemary and garlic for Italian. Use them all together or pick and choose. Tie them in a bundle like before.

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Step 5: Tie With Cheesecloth

Making Asian cuisine? Use classic Asian flavors, like ginger, garlic and scallions, to enhance your stock. Tie it up in a parcel with cheesecloth and twine, and use it as your recipe tells you to.