How to Freeze Herbs
To start, make sure your herbs are clean. Give herbs a good wash under cool water, then pat them dry.
Spread clean, dry herbs (leaves and stems) in a single layer on a cooking tray ($13, Walmart), and put the pan in the freezer for about one hour, or until frozen. (This is known as flash freezing and works well on other fruits and veggies, too.) Put the frozen herbs into labeled, sealed containers. Be sure to push all the air out of the containers before sealing them, and store them in the freezer one to two months.
Test Kitchen Tip: Chop chives and lemongrass before freezing them. These herbs are thin and will freeze in minutes. In most cases, you don’t need to thaw herbs before use. When frozen herbs thaw, they will get darker and limp, so we recommend adding them to recipes while still frozen. They’ll do best in dishes like soups, casseroles, or breakfast skillets rather than fresh uses like pesto (we’ll get to that below) or to garnish a recipe.
Herbs That Freeze Well
If you have a garden full of herbs but don’t know which will freeze best, here are some that do particularly well in the freezer.
BasilBorageChivesDill (better frozen than dried)LemongrassMintOreganoSageSavory (both winter and summer)Sorrel (better frozen than dried)Sweet woodruffTarragonThyme
Tips for Freezing Herbs
Now that you know how to freeze herbs, here are some tips to ensure your herbs will be at their best when stored.
Check Your Freezer Temperature
Check the temperature of your freezer to ensure it maintains the proper temperature for food storage. Freezers should be zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Store It
These containers are the best for freezer-bound foods:
Label It
Take a moment to label foods before storing them. Use a permanent marker to note the name of the herb, the quantity, and the date it was frozen.
Alternate Herb Freezing Methods
Wash, dry, and freeze may be the most basic way you can freeze herbs, but it’s not the only way.
Make an Herb Paste or Pesto
One of our Test Kitchen’s favorite ways to freeze herbs is to mix them with oil and freeze in ice cube trays. Make a paste by mixing ⅓ cup oil with two cups fresh herbs in a blender until smooth. Alternatively, you could make a batch of your favorite pesto to freeze. The paste freezes beautifully in sealed jars or in ice cube trays that are thoroughly wrapped to make them airtight. You can also remove the cubes once frozen and store them in a plastic freezer bag. The herb paste will keep for about a week in the refrigerator. In winter, toss in a frozen herb paste cube to your dishes for a garden-fresh taste. Herbs that are good candidates for grinding into paste include basil, chervil, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, marjoram, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and tarragon.
Make Herb-Infused Ice Cubes
Herbs can be frozen in water to make decorative ice cubes for party drinks. Freeze strawberries and their leaves, mint sprigs, and woodruff sprigs in a silicone ice mold with a lid for easy release. Or if you have a big punch bowl, try freezing your herbs into an ice ring or block. Boil the water first to make it clear. Once it has cooled, fill the bottom of the mold with the boiled water and freeze. Arrange the herbs you plan to freeze, then continue adding water until the mold is filled, and then freeze again.
How to Dry Herbs
Freezing isn’t your only option for preserving your herbs long-term, you can also dry your herbs at home. There are a few different methods for drying herbs, including air-drying and microwave-oven drying. To air-dry your herbs, gather three to six stems together and secure with string, yarn, or a rubber band. Hang the bundles upside down in a dry, dark place (sunlight robs color, fragrance, and flavor). A well-ventilated attic or basement are both good options. Your herbs will be fully dry within a few weeks (maybe even quicker). Before cooking with your herbs, make sure the plants are brittle, then remove the leaves and store them in airtight jars or bags. There you have it. Even if you think you don’t have a green thumb, starting a garden with easy-to-grow herbs in your yard (or containers) is a great way to add some fresh flavors to your meals.
