How to Make Thyme Honey (With Fresh or Flowering Thyme)
If your thyme plant is blooming its little heart out, this is the perfect way to capture that fragrant flavor in a jar. Thyme honey is subtle, floral, and surprisingly easy to make. In fact, I didn’t even bother pulling out special equipment. I grabbed my sprouting jar (yep, the one I usually use for growing microgreens), packed it with flowering thyme, and poured warm honey right over the top. Worked like a charm.
You don’t need a fancy setup or weeks of patience to make this work. Just a handful of garden thyme, a jar you love, and a little counter space. Let’s turn that herb garden into something sweet.
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Why Infuse Honey with Thyme?
Thyme has a soft, woodsy flavor with just enough floral to keep things interesting. It’s mild, not overpowering perfect when you want a little something extra without taking over the whole dish.
Stems, Blossoms, or Both?
You can use leafy green thyme stems, flowering sprigs, or a mix. The flavor difference is subtle, so go with whatever’s thriving in your garden or looks best at the market.
Which Thyme is Best?
There are lots of thyme varieties, and most will work here. A few to consider:
- English thyme – classic, earthy, and easy to grow
- German thyme – cold-hardy with a rich herbal flavor
- Lemon thyme – adds a light citrusy note (so good in tea!)
- Creeping thyme – mild and floral, great for ground cover and infusions
- French thyme – delicate flavor and tender stems
All of these are fair game just make sure they’re healthy, fragrant, and not sprayed with anything weird.
How It Compares to Other Herb Honeys
This one’s more subtle than rosemary honey or mint honey, and definitely less floral than lavender honey. Think of it as the low-key, versatile cousin - great on toast, grilled fruit, or anything that could use a herby little glow-up.
Best Types of Honey for Infusing with Thyme
Choosing the right honey makes a big difference in both flavor and infusion success. Here's what works best:
Choose mild and floral
Lighter honeys like clover, wildflower, or acacia are ideal. They let the thyme flavor come through without overpowering it.
Raw honey is the way to go
Raw honey keeps all the natural enzymes and antioxidants intact. Just be sure to warm it gently and keep it under 110°F. You want it pourable, not cooked.
Skip the bold varieties
Darker honeys like buckwheat or manuka have strong, earthy flavors that can overwhelm the thyme. Save those for recipes where their intensity is a better match.
What I used
I went with raw clover honey. It's mild, easy to find, and pairs perfectly with the herbal flavor of thyme. Simple and just right.
When to Harvest Thyme
Morning is best to harvest thyme, right after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too strong. That’s when the essential oils are most concentrated.
What to Snip
You can use leafy green stems, flowering sprigs, or a mix of both. I like to gather full clusters with blossoms for extra beauty and aroma.
To Wash or Not to Wash
Skip washing if your thyme is clean. A quick shake or gentle brush should be enough. Washing can strip some of those fragrant oils, and that’s what we want to keep.
Do You Need to Dry It?
Nope. Since we’re pouring warm honey over the thyme, there’s no need to dry it first. Just make sure it’s not damp from rinsing or rain.
Curious about drying thyme for other uses? Here’s how to dry thyme properly.
How to Make Thyme-Infused Honey (Warm Method)
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw honey (light varieties like clover or wildflower work great)
- 4 to 6 sprigs of fresh thyme (use leafy stems, flowering sprigs, or both)
Supplies
- Clean glass jar (a sprouting jar works well for easy straining)
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon or chopstick
- Breathable cloth and rubber band or mesh lid
- Optional: thermometer to keep honey under 110°F
Step-by-Step
- Prep your thyme.
No need to dry it, just make sure it's clean and dry from dew.
- Place the thyme in your jar.
Arrange the sprigs loosely so the honey can coat everything.
- Gently heat the honey.
Warm it in a saucepan over low heat until it loosens up. Don’t let it boil.
- Pour the honey over the thyme.
Give it a stir to coat the sprigs and release some of the oils.
- Cover the jar.
Use a breathable cloth and rubber band or a mesh lid to allow airflow.
- Let it steep.
Leave it on your counter for 1 to 3 days depending on how strong you want the flavor.
- Give it a swirl daily.
Each day stir gently with a spoon or chopstick to keep things moving.
- Strain the honey.
When it tastes just right, pour it through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Discard the thyme.
- Transfer to a jar.
Pour the infused honey into a sterilized glass jar, seal it tightly, and store it in a cool, dark place.
You’ll know it’s ready when the honey smells herby and tastes slightly earthy and floral. If you’re unsure, let it sit one more day. The flavor continues to deepen in the best way.
Tip: Stay close while warming your honey. It heats up fast, and if it starts to bubble, you’ve gone too far. Keep the heat low and your eyes on it. You're aiming for warm and pourable, not a simmer. A few distracted minutes can turn your infusion into candy, so save the multitasking for later.
How to Strain and Store Your Thyme Honey the Easy Way
Strain with ease
Once your thyme has done its job, it's time to strain. I like using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth - either works. Just be patient and let gravity do the heavy lifting. Don’t squeeze the herbs. I’ve learned the hard way that pressing them can introduce bitter notes that throw off the whole jar.
My Sprouting Jar Hack
This time, I steeped the honey right in one of my sprouting jars, the kind with the metal strainer lid. When it came time to strain, I simply turned the jar upside down over a bowl and let it drip. No mess, no fuss. Honestly, it made me wonder why I haven't been doing it this way all along.
If you're interested in sprouting micro greens heres my list of supplies - including this sprouting jar.
How Long Does it Last?
Your thyme honey will keep for 3 to 6 months if stored properly. The flavor actually deepens a bit over time, which I love. Just be sure to use a clean, dry spoon every time so you don’t introduce moisture or bacteria.
Storage Tips
Keep it in a cool, dark pantry - somewhere away from heat and direct light. There's no need to refrigerate it. A tightly sealed jar is your best friend here. Mine’s currently sitting pretty next to the rosemary and mint honeys in my apothecary-style kitchen shelf, looking as good as it tastes.
Serving Ideas for Thyme Honey
This earthy-sweet honey is more versatile than you'd think. Here are a few ways to put it to good use:
- Drizzle it over goat cheese, toast, or a bowl of creamy yogurt
- Spoon it onto grilled fruit
- Stir into lemon tea for a cozy, herbal twist
- Whisk into salad dressings or brush onto grilled chicken or veggies
- Pour it over baked brie or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an instant upgrade
P.S. Want the full grilled peach recipe? I’ll be sharing it soon, so stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but the flavor will be different. Fresh thyme gives a brighter, more vibrant infusion. Dried thyme is more concentrated, so use less, about one-third of what you'd use fresh.
Anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. Taste it after a day. If you want a bolder flavor, let it steep another day or two. Just be sure to stir it daily and keep it covered with a breathable cloth.
Yes! The little purple blossoms are edible and packed with flavor. I used a mix of flowering stems and leafy sprigs in mine. You’ll strain them out before storing the honey, but they sure make the steeping process look lovely while it lasts.
Not likely. Honey is naturally shelf stable. But because we’re adding fresh herbs, it’s best to use your thyme honey within 3 to 6 months and always use a clean spoon. Store it in a cool, dark spot.
Absolutely. Lemon thyme adds a citrusy kick, while English and German thyme offer earthier flavors. You can even blend a few varieties for a custom infusion. If it smells good in your garden, it’ll likely taste great in your honey.
Looking for more ways to grow, use, and enjoy your herbs? Visit our Herb Index to explore everything from planting tips to kitchen recipes — all organized by herb!
Thyme honey is one of those recipes that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier. A few sprigs from the garden, some gently warmed honey, and a little patience. That’s it. The result is golden, floral, and just herby enough to make you feel like you know what you’re doing.
It also makes a gorgeous gift. Dress up a little jar with a ribbon, a sprig of thyme, and maybe a honey wand tucked under the lid. Instant charm.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different thyme varieties either. Lemon thyme? Yes please. Woolly thyme? Why not. There’s no wrong way to drizzle.
Give it a try and let me know how you use yours - toast, tea, grilled peaches, or something totally unexpected like our blossom butter. I’d love to hear.
And stay tuned. I’ve got something extra delicious lined up for this honey. You’re going to want a spoon.
Enjoy!
