7 Ways to Freeze Fresh Herbs to Make Them Last all Winter Long
It is coming to the end of the herb-growing season for many of us. Did you know that you can freeze herbs to make them last longer?
When summer turns to fall, the thought of losing those fresh herb flavors in your recipes because of the cold can be disheartening. Fortunately, there is a solution: freeze fresh herbs!
Freezing fresh herbs is a great way to preserve their flavor and fragrance to use in recipes during the cold months when growing herbs outdoors is not possible.
This guide demonstrates seven ways to freeze herbs to use in recipes during the winter months.
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Preparing herbs for freezing
Frozen herbs retain their flavor, vitamins, and color exceptionally well. The key to freezing herbs is to make sure that they are absolutely fresh.
- Pick them in the morning, then prepare and freeze them right away.
- Wash the herbs well and allow them to dry on a kitchen towel.
- Remove any thick stems before chopping unless you are going to freeze whole stems.
A small amount of herbs can be chopped by hand, but a food processor makes faster work of a large quantity.
How to freeze herbs
There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh basil, rosemary, or oregano harvested at the peak of their flavor. By freezing herbs, fresh from the garden, you can preserve the herbs and continue to enjoy them right through until spring.
Frozen herbs can be used the same way you use fresh herbs, and in the same proportion. Although they will be limp when you defrost them, they will still add a great flavor to your cooking.
From freezing herbs in ice cube trays to making herb-infused oils and a simple pesto, there are many ways to freeze herbs. Try one of these 7 ways to freeze fresh herbs for later use.
Freeze herbs in water in ice cube trays
Some herbs are better suited to freezing in water in ice cube trays than others because of their moisture content and the way they hold up to freezing.
- Basil, mint, chives, and parsley are some herbs that freeze well in water since they have a high water content and delicate leaves.
- Fragile herbs like these tend to lose their flavor when air-dried, so freezing is perfect for them.
- After washing and drying the herbs, chop them finely.
- Place 1-2 teaspoons of chopped herbs into each compartment of an ice cube tray.
- Fill the compartments with water to cover the herbs and freeze the ice cube tray.
- Once they are frozen, transfer the herb cubes to a labeled freezer bag for easy, single-serve portions.
To use the herbs frozen in water: Drop a cube into your pan and cook as usual.
How to freeze fresh herbs in oil in ice cube trays
Rosemary, chives, thyme, and oregano are just a few of the herbs that freeze well in oil. Herbs frozen in some oil can be easily used in a soup or in a sauce.
- Prepare the fresh herbs and chop them.
- Fill an ice cube tray compartment about halfway with your chosen herb.
- Cover the herbs with olive oil or a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed oil, making sure they are fully covered with the oil.
- Freeze the herbs and oil overnight until solid.
- Remove the herb oil cubes from the tray and transfer them to a labeled freezer bag for storage.
To use herbs frozen in oil: Drop a cube or two into your pan or recipe directly from the freezer bag. The oil will melt, releasing the herb’s flavors and aroma into your dish.
Blanching and freezing fresh herbs
Blanching herbs before freezing helps to retain their vibrant color and fresh flavor. It stops enzymes responsible for color and flavor deterioration, preserving the herbs’ quality. Blanching also softens the cell walls of the herbs, which can help maintain their texture when frozen and thawed.
- Wash and dry the herbs first.
- Place the herbs in boiling water for about 10-15 seconds.
- Immediately transfer them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.
- Pat the herbs dry with a paper towel.
- Place the whole herbs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Once frozen, transfer the herbs to a labeled and dated freezer bag.
To use frozen, blanched herbs: Use the herbs directly in cooked dishes such as stews, pasta dishes, and braises, without thawing them first. If using them as toppings, thaw them first and then chop them.
Make herb butter and then freeze
Herb butter will enhance the flavor of all your fall dishes. Freezing herbs in butter is easy, and the process can be customized with your favorite herbs and seasonings.
- Blend washed and dried herbs with melted unsalted butter until the herbs are mixed well.
- Spoon the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid.
- Once frozen, you can transfer the herb butter cubes to freezer bags.
To use frozen herb butter: Place the cubes of herb butter in a sauté pan for cooking. You can also use the butter as a finishing touch for dishes.
Freeze herb pesto
Basil is a herb that freezes best when it is first made into pesto. You can also use other herbs such as oregano or thyme.
- Remove the stems from your herbs.
- Combine about a cup of your chosen herb with 1/4 cup of olive oil in a food processor or with a mortar and pestle.
- Blend well, then transfer the mixture into ice cube trays.
- Once frozen, transfer the pesto cubes to a freezer bag.
Using frozen herb pesto cubes: Use pesto cubes for pasta, sandwiches, or as a sauce for various dishes. Any dish that likes the addition of oil will work well with pesto cubes.
Flash freezing herbs on baking sheets
Flash freezing works well for many types of herbs, particularly those with delicate leaves such as basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley.
It is very simple to do. All you need are some fresh herbs, a baking tray, and freezer bags.
- Wash the herbs and thoroughly dry them to remove any excess moisture.
- Finely chop the herbs with a knife, herb scissors, or food processor.
- Line a baking sheet that will fit in your freezer with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Spread the chopped herbs in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Try to make sure that they do not touch each other. This will keep them from sticking together when frozen.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the herbs freeze for a few hours.
- Once the herbs are frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer, and quickly place the frozen chopped herbs into an airtight freezer bag.
- Try to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bags with the herb type and date.
Using flash-frozen herbs: Take out the desired amount of herbs that you need and return the rest to the freezer. Flash freezing herbs makes it convenient to portion them for various recipes.
When properly frozen and stored, flash-frozen herbs can last for several months to a year. The exact time will vary depending on factors such as the type of herb, how well it was dried before freezing, and how airtight your storage containers or bags are.
Freeze whole herb sprigs in plastic bags
Freezing whole herb sprigs is a great way to preserve fresh herbs for later use, especially if you want to use the leaves and stems together.
It works best for hardy herbs like rosemary, dill, thyme, bay leaves, or sage.
- Harvest herbs in whole sprigs or use store-bought bunches.
- Rinse them under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Trim any discolored or damaged leaves or stems from the sprigs.
- Lay the cleaned and trimmed entire herb sprigs in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Make sure they are not touching each other.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the herb sprigs to freeze until they are solid. This typically takes a few hours.
- Once frozen, remove the herb sprigs from the baking sheet and store them in labeled freezer bags or an airtight container.
- Remove any excess air if using bags. Label and date the herbs.
Using whole frozen herbs: Add whole sprigs directly to your recipes without thawing them. They work well in soups, stews, roasts, and other dishes that benefit from the slow release of flavors during cooking.
Freezing herbs printable
You can print the freezing herbs printable by using the link below:
Printing instructions:
- Select portrait orientation and “fit to page” on your printer settings for a full-page printout.
- You can also print out the freezing herbs printable from the project card at the bottom of this page. Scroll down to the card and press “print”.
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Admin note: This article about freezing fresh herbs first appeared on the blog in September 2023. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable, and a slideshow video about 7 ways to freeze herbs.
Printable - How to Freeze Herbs 7 Ways
Freezing fresh herbs will allow you to use them all winter long
This printable lists 7 ways to freeze them. Print it out and save it for future reference.
Materials
- Computer paper
Tools
- Computer
- Printer
Instructions
- Load the heavy card stock or glossy photo paper into your computer printer.
- Choose portrait layout and, if possible, "fit to page" in your settings.
- Print the list of 7 ways to freeze herbs and save it for future reference.
Notes
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