Learn how to preserve herbs for up to a year!
If you can’t keep up with eating all the herbs from your herb garden or the ones that you bought, today I want to share 4 easy ways to preserve herbs. Using these methods you will be able to preserve basil, oregano, parsley, mint and whatever other herbs you’re harvesting and keep them good for between 3-12 months.
Reasons To Preserve Herbs
Preserving your own herbs, whichever way you choose, comes with these benefits:
- always have herbs at home
- make the most out of your harvest
- save money
- reduce food waste
- control what’s in your meals – you can’t control what’s in store-bought products like pesto.
How To Store Fresh Herbs
I love having fresh herbs around! I add them to everything. In quesadillas, in my soups, in my smoothies (whenever I have one), salads, risottos, with meat…Add some garlic, it doesn’t get any better. (That smoothie would be a winner, right?)
To keep fresh herbs longer actually fresh, I like to keep my herbs in the fridge after I’ve gotten them from the garden. But if you want to preserve your herbs for months or up to a year – try one of the four options below.
How To Preserve Herbs For Up To A Year
1. Freeze
A very easy way to preserve herbs is to freeze them.
Freezing Option 1:
For the very basic, first option to freeze your herbs you’ll need:
- a knife
- freezer bags
- fresh herbs
Here’s How To Do It
- Wash your herbs thoroughly
- Spread them out and pat them dry
- Chop thinly
- Fill in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
Freezing your herbs this way you’ll be able to get small amounts out to refine your meals. It’s really important that there is no excess water when freezing as it will lead to icy clumps.
Freezing Option 2:
For the second freezing option you’ll need:
- immersion blender & cup
- fresh herbs
- ice cube trays
- freezer bags
Here’s How To Do It
- Wash your herbs thoroughly
- Put them in the immersion blender cup and puree
- Portion them out
- Close the ice cube trays
- Take out once frozen and transfer into freezer bags
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
This option is great if you want to use the herbs in pesto, soups or risotto. Simply take out one cube and add it to your meals.
2. Oil Freezing
This is a very exciting option that also looks ridiculously delicious. The result looks like mini herb butter.
What you need:
- ice cube trays
- freezer bags
- a knife
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh herbs
Here’s How To Do It:
- Wash and dry your herbs.
- Chop them.
- Fill the ice cube compartments with herbs to about 2/3.
- Cover the herbs with olive oil.
- Close the ice cube trays with the lid and freeze.
- Transfer frozen cubes into freezer bags and store for up to 3 months.
This option is great for pan-based dishes and it would work in soups as well. Simply let the herb cubes melt in the pan or in the pot while cooking.
3. Herb Oils
This is an idea I saw on Pinterest and it was specifically for basil. It’s about preserving basil in oil for over a year in your fridge. All you need is a jar, olive oil and basil. You can find the full instructions over here.
And can we just mention the option to take those herbs, add some garlic, add some oil and turn it all into a delicious pesto?
4. Drying
Last, but not least: drying your herbs. The result isn’t as fresh as the other options, but drying is a great way to preserve your herbs for an entire year (and even longer).
Depending on the herbs you have you can either dry your herbs by hanging or spreading them over a drying rack. You can also use an oven or a food dehydrator to speed things up.
You can find my full tutorial on drying your herbs here – you’ll find out how to dry your herbs and prevent mold, why it’s good to do it, which herbs you can hang when drying and which ones you need to spread out.
Conclusion
There are many ways to preserve your herbs and have some at home all year long. so take a little time out of your day and preserve those herbs. For fun, you could even try all methods and see which one you like best. Obviously, I know what is fun.