How to Freeze Herbs

Freezing works well for basil, chives, oregano, lemon balm, mint, or tarragon. Frozen herbs can be used in the same proportion as fresh herbs. Remember though they will be limp when defrosted, but will still add fabulous flavor to your cooking. 

Storing fresh herbs is an excellent way to make the herb harvest from your garden last all year round.

PREP THE HERBS

WASH: Wash and dry your herbs.

CHOP: Make sure to remove any thick stems from the herbs before chopping them! If you are doing a small quantity of herbs you can chop them with your knife, if you have a lot more of one herb you can use a food processor to pulse them to finely chop your herbs. 

It will save you a lot of time!

DIFFERENT WAYS TO FREEZE THEM

There are several different way to freeze herbs. Some popular choices include:

• Ice cube trays: You can push the herbs into an ice cube tray and top with a little bit of oil before freezing.
• Plastic bag: You can chop up the herbs and pour a tablespoon of oil in the bag before removing all of the air and laying it flat in the freezer
• Cookie sheet: some heartier herbs can be frozen on the stem. Place the herbs on the cookie sheet and place in the freezer until solid. Once they’re solid, you can place them in an airtight container or ziploc bag.
• Pureed herbs: You can puree your herbs in the food processor with enough oil to coat them. The oil will make the herbs look dark, but you can always add in a few ice cubes to lighten up the frozen herbs.
• My favorite way is in ice cubes! They are easy to store, taste delicious and reconstitute with ease. Here’s how to to do it!
• PREP. Rinse herbs and pat dry. Chop as desired.
• TRAY. Place herbs in an ice cube tray, silicone ones work best. Fill each well with water, just enough to completely cover the herbs. Press the herbs into the water so they are fully submerged.
• FREEZE. Place the ice cube tray in the freezer and freeze for 3-4 hours.
• PACKAGE. Remove the cubes from the tray and place in Ziploc bags labeled with each type of herb. Freeze for up to 12 months.
• TO USE: To use, place the cube in a small bowl and let the ice melt. Carefully drain the water and pat dry.

How long do they last? They will last for about a year in the freezer, as long as they are stored in an airtight container. 

Using them? When the herbs are frozen in some oil they are most easily used in a soup or in a sauce. They will melt and provide the same flavor as fresh herbs. If you froze any herbs without oil then you can defrost them and sprinkle them on top of any dish you so desire!

Is it better to freeze herbs in water or oil? You can store them in either, if you are using oil I recommend using olive oil. If you are using oil they will be great for sautéing them later, if you are using water then they will be easier to defrost later on.