How to Preserve Fresh Herbs

How to Preserve Fresh Herbs – best ways to keep herbs fresh for weeks or freeze to use in your favorite recipes all year!

Nothing adds more punch to a recipe than fresh fresh herbs – unless they’re wilted or gone brown and slimy before you can use them (we’ve all been there!).

With these simple methods I’ve been using for years you can stretch the life of your fresh herbs from a few days to a couple of weeks – and I’ll show you how to freeze them to use in soups, stews, gravies and sauces to keep that fresh flavor going strong all year for later use.

The best way to preserve fresh herbs (it depends on the herb!)

Not all herbs are created equal. Some are delicate and leafy (think basil), while others are heartier and woody (like rosemary or thyme). How you store them makes a big difference in how long they last.

For Tender Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Dill, Mint):

These leafy herbs are best treated like fresh flowers.

My Easy Method:

• Trim the ends of the stems.

• Place herbs upright in a glass of cold water.

• Cover loosely with a plastic bag or clean dish towel.

• Store on the counter (for basil) or in the fridge (for parsley, cilantro, dill and mint).

💡 Personal Tip: I always keep my fresh basil in a large mason jar of water on the counter, covered with a plastic bag. It stays vibrant for over a week. Dill, parsley and cilantro, I use the same trick but tuck the glass into the fridge. Be sure to change the water every couple of days and remove any leaves below the water line to prevent rot.

For woody herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Sage):

Woody herbs are hearty herbs and do better stored a different way.

Easy Method:

• Wrap herbs in slightly damp paper towels.

• Place herbs in a plastic bag or airtight container.

• Store in the vegetable bin or crisper drawer in the fridge.

They’ll keep well this way for up to 2 weeks.

Which herbs are best for freezing?

Heartier herbs stand up to cold temps making them ideal to freeze:

• Sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Tarragon
• Chives
• Celery leaves: technically not an herb these leaves add celery flavor without crunch.

Delicate herbs like basil, mint and dill don’t stand up well to freezing and are best used fresh.

The exception to this rule is this homemade Basil Pesto that does freeze really well in small containers such as ice cube trays or jello shot containers.

How to preserve fresh herbs in olive oil in the freezer:

Freezing herbs is a great way – and a delicious way – to enjoy fresh herb flavor anytime.

1. Rinse and dry to remove excess moisture (salad spinner works well) so you don’t get ice crystals.

2. Remove stems and dice or pulse in a food processor so they fit in the ice cube tray.

3. Sprinkle into an ice cube tray, about 1 tablespoon per cube.

4. Top with olive oil to cover. Gently press down on any herbs that aren’t submerged in olive oil.

5. Cover the trays with plastic wrap then transfer to freezer for several hours up to overnight.

6. Remover frozen herb cubes from trays and transfer to to ziplock bag or other airtight container. Label container with type of herb and store 3-6 months for best flavor.

🧊 Herb cubes are genius in pasta sauces, roasted veggies, or any dish where you’d add herbs while cooking. NOTE: You can also freeze herbs in broth or stock instead of oil.

What do I need for freezing herbs?

• ice cube trays
• fresh herbs
• olive oil

If you don’t have ice cube trays the Dollar Store is a great place to buy a few inexpensively.

Tips for how to preserve herbs:

Use only fresh herbs for freezing.

If they’re already on their way out, they won’t improve in the freezer.

Mix up the herbs in ice cube trays.

Sage, rosemary and thyme go really well together and can be mixed in one tray.

Label freezer containers.

This way you’ll know exactly what it is for long-term storage.

FAQs:

How do I keep parsley fresh for 2 weeks?

Trim the stems, place in a glass of water, cover with plastic and refrigerate. Change water every 2–3 days.

Can I freeze fresh herbs without oil?

Yes! You can freeze herbs in water or chopped and stored flat in a freezer bag. Just know they’ll be best for cooked dishes, not garnishes.

How much does one standard ice cube ‘well’ contain?

A standard ice cube ‘well’ contains about 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs (plus the olive oil.

Do I have to thaw frozen herbs before using?

No – that’s the beauty of freezing them. Just drop right into whatever you’re making. They’ll melt and provide the same fresh herb flavor plus you’ll save time dicing.

What’s the best method to store basil?

1. Trim the stems just as you would with fresh flowers.
2. Fill a glass or jar with a few inches of room temp to cold water.
3. Place basil stems into the water making sure no leaves are submerged (they get slimy).
4. Cover basil loosely with a plastic or produce bag to create a greenhouse effect.
5. Store at room temperature on the counter away from direct sunlight.
6. Change the water every couple of days and retrim stems.

Favorite recipes with fresh herbs:

Basil Pesto Pasta

Mojitos

Cucumber Dill Salmon

Basil Chimichurri

Basil Pesto

Garlic Herb Butter

Ready to give your herbs a longer life? Try one of these easy methods today and save yourself the waste (and money!). Pin this post, or better yet—freeze a batch of herb cubes and tag me when you use them in your favorite recipe!

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