Can You Freeze Fresh Herbs?
Yes, you can freeze most fresh herbs for up to 6 months. The texture becomes limp, making frozen herbs best for cooking rather than garnishing. Freezing in olive oil or water in ice cube trays is the most popular method for preserving flavor.
Key Takeaways
- Fresh herbs can be frozen to preserve their flavor when you have more than you can use fresh.
- Basil turns black when frozen in water but stays greener in olive oil; flavor is unaffected either way.
- Frozen herbs are not suitable for fresh garnishes or uncooked applications.
Explanation
Fresh herbs can be frozen to preserve their flavor when you have more than you can use fresh. While freezing changes the texture significantly, the essential oils and flavors remain intact for use in cooked dishes, sauces, and soups.
The ice cube method works well: pack chopped herbs into ice cube trays, cover with olive oil or water, and freeze. Once solid, transfer cubes to freezer bags. Drop herb cubes directly into hot pans or soups during cooking.
Hardier herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano can be frozen on the stem in freezer bags. More delicate herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley benefit from the oil or water method to prevent freezer burn.
Things to Know
- Basil turns black when frozen in water but stays greener in olive oil; flavor is unaffected either way.
- Frozen herbs are not suitable for fresh garnishes or uncooked applications.
- Herb butters (mixed with softened butter) freeze excellently for finishing dishes.