Beyond the Garnish: Creative Ways to Use Microgreens This Spring

Oct 7

2 min read

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When it comes to creating fresh, vibrant dishes for spring, few ingredients offer as much versatility as microgreens. More than just a garnish, these tiny greens pack intense flavour, delicate texture, and an impressive nutritional punch. From brightening up savoury plates to adding flair to cocktails and even desserts, microgreens are a simple yet powerful way to elevate your menu this season.

Why Microgreens Matter

Professional chef adding microgreens to an eye fillet as the finishing garnish — The final flourish. Microgreens bring colour, crunch, and fresh flavour to your dishes.

Unlike their fully grown counterparts, microgreens are harvested young, when flavour and nutrient content are at their peak. That means you get a concentrated burst of taste and colour from even the smallest handful. Studies have shown that microgreens can contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals than mature greens, making them a great choice for health-conscious diners. They also bring visual appeal and creativity to the kitchen, helping chefs differentiate their dishes and surprise customers. It’s no wonder they’re becoming a staple on menus.

How to use Microgreens on your Spring Menu

Salads:

Instead of using them as a finishing touch, let microgreens take centre stage in salads. Pea shoots paired with citrus and herbs create a bright, spring-ready plate, while radish microgreens add a peppery edge to a classic feta and beetroot combination.

Soups & Starters:

Spring soups like pea, asparagus, or courgette benefit from a handful of watercress or mustard microgreens on top. They don’t just look good — they add a fresh, peppery balance that completes the dish.

A fresh sandwich stacked with seeded wholegrain bread, creamy avocado spread, red onion, and a generous layer of vibrant green microgreens on a wooden board. — Microgreens add crunch, flavour, and colour that takes a sandwich to the next level

Sandwiches & Wraps:

Microgreens bring crunch and freshness to lighter options. Swap out lettuce for rocket or sango microgreens to add a layer of flavour without overpowering other ingredients.

Cocktails & Drinks:

Think beyond the plate. Lemon basil, shiso, or coriander microgreens are perfect for infusing syrups, garnishing glasses, or adding herbal brightness to gin-based cocktails and refreshing mocktails.

Desserts:

Citrussy or floral microgreens pair beautifully with sweet flavours. Try lemon basil with a citrus tart, shiso on panna cotta, or edible flowers with a sorbet. The unexpected combination delights diners and adds a signature touch.

Microgreens as a Flavour Tool

Used thoughtfully, these flavour profiles turn microgreens into a bridge between creativity and consistency in the kitchen.

To make it easier to match microgreens with dishes, we’ve put together a Microgreen Matchmaker - a practical tool designed for the kitchen. From peppery radish to

citrusy lemon basil, this downloadable guide helps you quickly find the perfect pairing for mains, sides, cocktails, and desserts.

Pin it up in your kitchen and use it as inspiration to create fresh new menu items this spring.

[Download the Microgreen Matchmaker]

Microgreens on top of seared scallops with pea and pumpkin puree in a professional kitchen — Microgreens add a depth of flavour to your favourite seafood dishes

Microgreens are so much more than a garnish. They’re a way to bring flavour, creativity, and nutrition to your spring menu — from salads and starters to cocktails and desserts. This season, think beyond decoration and let microgreens be the ingredient that elevates your dishes.

Ready to get started? Download our flavour pairing guide, experiment in your kitchen, and discover just how far these tiny

greens can take your menu.