what is the best way to freeze fresh herbs

Freezing herbs: Three methods for freezing fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, and sage.

Though all fresh herbs can be frozen or dried, some herbs freeze better than being dehydrated. Freezing fresh herbs answers those questions like, "How can you preserve herbs for winter?" and "What do you do with extra herbs, anyway?"

I've got three methods for you lot today:

Herbs wink frozen individually.
Herbs frozen in measured amounts in water.
Herbs frozen in oil (my favorite).

In the pictures at the tiptop of this page, I am freezing oregano. Other herbs may exist frozen using the same methods. And below where I'm freezing herbs in oil? That is basil. Ah, information technology smells heavenly as y'all chop, chop, chop.

An icecube tray filled with chopped fresh herbs.

This Folio Includes:

Freezing Herbs: Step-By-Step Directions
How to Freeze Herb Leaves Individually
How to Freeze Herbs in Ice Cube Trays with Water
How to Freeze Herbs in Oil
Recipe Card
{FAQ} How to Use Frozen Herbs
{FAQ} Don't Get out the Cubes in the Trays
{FAQ} What Herbs Tin You Freeze?
{FAQ} How Do You Use Frozen Herbs

Freezing Herbs: Step-By-Step Directions

Your first footstep will be to harvest and clean your herbs. Simply rinse them if needed in clear water. Then be certain to pat them dry or spin them dry in a salad spinner. Don't vanquish them.

You tin as well roll up the herbs in a tea towel to blot them dry. Come across pictures on my freezing peas page on how I do it if needed. Again, don't crush them.

Be sure and label and date your frozen herbs! The herbs volition all look like when frozen and you may not remember which is which afterward.

How to Freeze Herb Leaves Individually

This is probably the easiest way to start freezing fresh herbs. Simply strip the leaves off the stems and spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Herb leaves evenly scattered over a cookie sheet.

Identify in the freezer.

As soon as they are frozen, identify them in a freezer bag. Characterization and appointment. Since the leaves froze separately, you will be able to remove the corporeality y'all demand.

How to Freeze Herbs in Ice Cube Trays with H2o

Chopping a huge pile of fresh herbs with a chef's knife.

In this method, yous will besides strip the leaves off the stems. I like to then chop them as I would if using them fresh. This is optional.

Spooning chopped herbs into an icecube tray.

Now accept an ice cube tray and make full it halfway full of h2o. Identify your herbs in each section of the tray. I placed most a tablespoon in each. This fashion, I know when I use them how much each cube holds.

The herbs may float. Don't worry nearly it besides much. Just get them nether the water as much as possible with no fuss. Identify your tray in the freezer.

The next 24-hour interval, take them out and tiptop off each cube. The herbs won't float, and this style, the herbs will exist fully covered and frozen. Place over again in your freezer.

Frozen cubes of water and chopped herbs being packed with a freezer bag.

Subsequently the trays are fully frozen, pop out the herb cubes and store in a freezer bag. Be sure to characterization and appointment.

The cubes tin exist used in soups, stews, or other meals.

How to Freeze Herbs in Oil

Pouring olive oil into an icecube tray that's filled with chopped herbs.

Another great way to freeze herbs is in oil. You lot will once again use an water ice cube tray to freeze in cubes. I want smaller amounts of oil, then I'm actually using a small mold. I'm non sure if it is an actual candy mold, but I'd estimate each section holds approximately from ii tsp. to 1 Tbsp. of oil. That is about what I'd want for some of my recipes. (In that location are only 3 of u.s. now, and then my meals are smaller.)

First, pick the leaves off the stems. Tiny stems are fine, just y'all probably don't want any bigger stems. Just think nearly what you will desire in your finish recipe.

Then, chop your herbs. I pile the leaves upward and use a large knife to chop, chop, chop. Using a rolling move with your knife is all-time. And so, scoop them together and chop, chop, chop again.

You can decide how finely you lot want them. Again, simply call up near how y'all want the final upshot to exist in your recipe. If you like fuller pieces, just stop before I did. I chopped mine pretty finely this fourth dimension around, since I was using my modest mold.

You can mix about one/3 cup of oil with 2 cups of herbs. (Olive oil would piece of work well.) Then freeze in the ice cube trays.

Or do like I did this morning. I packed my chopped herbs in the trays, and then I poured actress virgin olive oil over the meridian. The herbs don't float similar they will in water. (I like to use a spatula to scrape across the summit of the tray to make sure all the spots are filled.)

Cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer. When they are frozen, take them out and identify in freezer bags and label. Put back in the freezer and pull them out equally you need them.

Recipe Carte du jour

An icecube tray filled with chopped fresh herbs.

Freezing Herbs

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Fresh herbs (similar basil, chives, oregano, lemon lotion, mint, and tarragon)
H2o (optional)
Oil (optional)

Equipment

Freezer bags/containers
Cookie sheet (optional)
Salad spinner (optional)
Ice cube trays (optional)

Harvest, rinse, and dry out your herbs without crushing them, then continue below.

Frozen Plain Herbs

Strip off leaves and spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
Identify in freezer.
One time frozen, transfer to freezer bags/containers.
Remove air, seal, and label.
Freeze.

Frozen in Water

Strip off leaves, chopped if desired.
Fill water ice cube tray halfway with water, and so place your herbs in each cube.
Place in freezer.
Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags/containers.
Remove air, seal, and characterization.
Freeze.

Frozen in Oil

Strip off leaves and chop herbs.
Mix ⅓ cup oil with 2 cups herbs.
Freeze in water ice cube tray.
In one case frozen, transfer to freezer numberless/containers.
Remove air, seal, and label.
Freeze.

Terminal Updated: 6/3/2021

Keyword freezing herbs, frozen herbs, how to freeze herbs

Freezing Herbs Tips & FAQs

How to Use Frozen Herbs

To utilise the individually frozen herbs, yous'd just measure every bit you lot would fresh and add together information technology to your recipe.

The water-based cubes, you lot know you take 1 Tbsp., and so only add a cube to your recipe.

Utilise the oil cubes equally you would the water-based herb cubes. The nice thing about these is the oil. It is all fix for a recipe. Simply cook the oil and the herbs are ready to go.

I utilize this when I'm roasting veggies. Chop potatoes, carrots, turnips, rutabaga, cauliflower, broccoli, or whatsoever veggie yous are roasting. Melt your oil and drizzle over the top.

Or toss a cube or 2 in a frying pan to melt, then cook your chicken or casserole in it.

Don't Go out the Cubes in the Trays

Yous don't want to but exit the cubes of frozen herbs in the trays in the freezer. They will get freezer burned on the areas exposed to the air.

If y'all are similar me and tend to forget to get the cubes out of the freezer to place them in freezer bags ('cause yeah, sometimes we are busy!), put a glutinous note on your range hood or somewhere you'll see it. This will remind yous.

What Herbs Can You Freeze?

Freezing works well for basil, chives, oregano, lemon balm, mint, or tarragon.

How Do You Employ Frozen Herbs?

Frozen herbs can be used in the same proportion as fresh herbs. Retrieve though they will be limp when defrosted. That means they are swell used in recipes, simply they don't work well for garnishes.

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Page final updated: six/24/2021

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Source: https://www.simplycanning.com/freezing-herbs/