Techniques
Knife Skills
Skill
Beginner
1 min

How to chiffonade mint by rolling it into a cigar and slicing

Stack mint leaves, roll them tightly into a cigar, then slice to get fine ribbons.

Gather mint leaves into a stack, roll them up tightly, and slice across the roll to create thin strips. This gives you evenly cut mint that disperses well through sauces or toppings.

The short version

  • Roll herbs tightly before slicing for cleaner, finer cuts

What you need

  • chef's knifeSharp blade helps prevent bruising
  • cutting board

How to do it

  1. 1

    Stack mint leaves into a small pile.

    Remove thick stems if present.

    Watch this step
  2. 2

    Roll the leaves tightly into a cigar shape.

    The tighter the roll, the cleaner the slices.

    Watch this step
  3. 3

    Slice crosswise into thin ribbons.

    Use a sharp knife to avoid bruising.

    Watch this step

What goes wrong

Chopping herbs loosely so they bruise and turn dark

Roll into a tight cigar and slice with a sharp knife

Why it works

Rolling compresses the leaves so you can make consistent, thin cuts quickly instead of tearing the herb.

Put it to use

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