Sorrel

Herb

Sorrel

Sorrel is a sharp, lemony leafy herb used in soups, sauces, salads, and fish dishes. Common garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and buckler-leaf sorrel offer bright acidity that softens when cooked into classic French sorrel sauce. Young leaves are tender enough for salads; larger leaves suit purees and soups. Oxalic acidity defines the flavour, so metal knives and long holding can dull colour and taste.

Also known as: Oseille, Szczaw / Shchavel

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Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles. Showing 10 of 13.

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View all 13 breeds & varieties

Characteristics

Preparations

BruisedChilledChoppedCrackedDriedFreeze DriedFreshFrozenGroundInfusedMincedPastePickledPowderRubbedSeededToastedTornWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicFair TradeGreenhouse GrownHeirloomHeritage SeedLocally GrownNon-GMOOpen PollinatedOrganicPesticide FreeRegenerativeSeasonal

Sources

HydroponicIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

BrightFreshGreenHerbaceousLemonSharpSourTangy

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 39

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.77 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.21 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.37 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 23.8 mg
  • Salt 0.05 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 7.1 g
  • Dietary Fibre 3.72 g
  • Total Sugars 1 g
  • Complex / starch 0.98 g
  • Protein 2.81 g
  • Water 86.7 g
Detailed nutrients

Fresh herbs are aromatic leaves—modest macros, concentrated micronutrients and polyphenols per gram dry.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Sorrel.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

Wild sorrels were foraged across Europe and Asia for their sharp, refreshing leaves.

FR

French cookery developed sorrel soups and sauces that remain reference preparations.

GB

English kitchen gardens grew sorrel as a spring acid green before widespread lemon access.

Sorrel became a specialty salad and sauce herb in European and restaurant markets.

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