Botanical Name: Sanguisorba minor
Salad Burnet is a perennial herb that belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae) and is highly valued for its culinary and medicinal uses. Native to Europe, the herb is now grown in many parts of the world, particularly in temperate climates. Known for its delicate, feathery leaves with serrated edges, Salad Burnet adds a mild, cucumber-like flavor to dishes, making it a popular choice for salads, dressings, and garnishes.
Salad Burnet is most often used in the kitchen as a fresh herb. The leaves have a mild, refreshing taste, often described as similar to cucumber with a hint of nuttiness. Because of this flavor, it is frequently added to salads, hence the name “Salad Burnet.” It can also be used to flavor vinegars, dressings, and sauces. The tender young leaves are preferred for culinary use, as older leaves can become somewhat tough and bitter.
In traditional European cuisine, Salad Burnet is used as a garnish for soups, fish, and meat dishes. It is also a key ingredient in some herb mixtures like fines herbes, a blend used to flavor light, delicate dishes. Salad Burnet’s flavor is best appreciated when used fresh, as drying the herb diminishes its taste significantly.