If you love cooking with herbs, you know how much they can enhance the flavor and aroma of your dishes. But what do you do when you have more herbs than you can use right away, or when you want to enjoy your homegrown herbs year-round? The answer is to store them properly in the fridge. Storing herbs in the refrigerator will help them last longer and keep them fresh. But how do you store them properly in the fridge?
I will show you how to store herbs in four different ways.
How to Store Them in Water in The Fridge
One of the best ways to store herbs in the refrigerator is to keep them in water or wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or container. This will keep the herbs moist and prevent them from wilting.
To store herbs in water in the refrigerator, follow these steps:
- Cut off the bottom of the herb stems and rinse off any dirt or bugs.
- Separate the herb leaves from the stems. You can use the leaves whole or store them in the freezer. Place the stems in water.
- Place the stems in a glass or jar and lean it against the refrigerator door. Change the water daily.
- Place the leaves wrapped in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag or container in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Replace the paper towel when dry.
Herbs can last a week or two using this method.
However, some herbs, such as basil and cilantro, are sensitive to cold and may turn black in the refrigerator.
For these herbs, you may want to store them in the freezer as explained below.
How to Freeze Herbs for Long-term Use
Freezing fresh herbs with ice and oil is a great way to preserve their flavor and color. You can use frozen herbs in soups, stews, sauces, and more. Here’s how to freeze herbs in a few easy steps.
- Cut off the ends of the herb stems and wash them well to remove any dirt or insects.
- Coarsely chop the herb leaves. Discard the stems or save them for another use.
- Choose whether to freeze your herbs with ice or oil. If using ice, put the chopped herbs in ice cube trays or molds and fill with water. If using oil, put the chopped herbs in ice cube trays or molds and drizzle with olive oil or melted butter.
- Freeze the trays or molds in the freezer until solid.
- Transfer the frozen herb cubes to a Ziploc bag or airtight container and store in the freezer.
You can store herbs this way for up to 6 months.
When ready to use, simply add the herb cubes directly to your pot or pan and let them melt.
For herbs that have been frozen in oil, you may want to thaw them slightly before adding them to your dish.
How to Dry Herbs for Long-Lasting Flavor
Drying fresh herbs in the sun, oven, or microwave is another way to preserve their flavor and aroma. Dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor than fresh herbs. Here’s how to dry herbs in a few easy steps.
- Trim the ends of the herb stems and rinse well to remove any dirt or insects.
- Separate the herb leaves from the stems. Place the leaves on a paper towel to dry. Discard the stems or save them for another use.
- Decide whether to dry your herbs in the sun or in the oven or microwave. If using the sun, spread the leaves on a paper towel and place them in a shady, airy spot. If using the oven, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and bake at 100 °C for 10–15 minutes. If using the microwave, spread the leaves on a microwave-safe plate and heat at 500W for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Store dried herbs in a Ziploc bag or airtight container in a cool, dark place.
You can store the herbs for up to a year.
To use, crush the dried herbs with your hands until they are finely ground.
How to Preserve Herbs by Infusing Them in Oil or Vinegar
You can preserve fresh herbs by infusing them in oil or vinegar or making a paste. This allows you to capture the herbal flavors in oils and vinegars and use them for cooking or dressing. Here are the steps to preserve herbs by infusing them in oil or vinegar.
- Trim the bottom of the herb and rinse off any dirt or insects.
- Separate the herb’s leaves and stems. Use the leaves as is. Discard the stems or use them for something else.
- You can either infuse or make a paste. To infuse, place the leaves in a clean jar and cover with a vegetable oil such as olive or sunflower, or a vinegar such as apple cider or wine vinegar. To make a paste, blend the leaves with the oil or vinegar in a blender or food processor.
- Store the jar of herbs in the refrigerator. Store pasted herbs in ice molds or ice cube trays in the freezer.
- Herbs in jars may last 1–2 months. Herbs in paste form will last 3 to 6 months.
To use, you can sprinkle the herbs in the jar over salads, pasta, etc. Allow the paste herbs to thaw slightly before adding to your dish.
You can also refrigerate or freeze fresh herbs. Both methods have their pros and cons, so make your choice based on the type of herb and how you want to use it. Store fresh herbs well and enjoy delicious food and drinks!
