Keep your herbs for much longer with these amazing storage tips

Print this recipe
Fresh herbs bring a little bit of magic to any kitchen. They can be used to really amp up the flavor of a dish, such as using rosemary in a stew; or they can be a dish all unto themselves, like when you make a beautiful basil pesto. They can also just add a nice touch of color, which is why parsley is often sprinkled across finished dishes.
But like anything fresh, that magic can quickly disappear when those fresh herbs aren't stored properly. And instead of being headed to that dish that needs a little jazzing up, instead they're headed straight for the trash can. It can be frustrating, and while herbs are relatively inexpensive, it doesn't take long for those costs to add up and you could end up wasting a lot of money. So, stop throwing your herbs and cash away and follow these tips to keep your herbs fresher for longer.
Advertisement
1. The jar and bag combo
Cooktop Cove
This is a trick many restaurants use and it is very simple. Snip about half an inch off the ends of the herbs to freshen up any dried ends and place them in a glass, vase, or even mason jar filled about halfway with cool water. Then cover the leafy part of the herbs with a resealable bag. Don't use plastic wrap, as it will squeeze the herbs too tightly together. But as the water will continue to feed the herbs and keep them fresh, the plastic bag will keep air from getting to them, which can dry them out and cause them to wilt.
2. Damp paper towels
Shutterstock
If you want your fridge filled up with more than just jars and containers full of herbs, you can use damp paper towels alone and they work the same way containers of water do. Simply dampen a paper towel, wring out the excess moisture, and then lay it flat. Place your herbs in the center and then roll them up and place them in the fridge. The dampness of the paper towel will ensure that your herbs stay crisp while the actual paper towel will make sure they don't get too moist and start to rot.
3. Freeze them
Shutterstock
Many people don't know that you can freeze herbs, but you can and you should. Freezing herbs the right way will keep all of their flavor and will let you take out only what you need. There are a couple of ways to do it but for either of them you will need an ice cube tray.
The first way to freeze herbs is to simply chop them up (you can use a food processor if you have a lot of one herb and want to store it all this way.) Place the chopped herbs into an ice cube tray and just pop it into the freezer. Once frozen, pop out all of the herb ice cubes and place them in a large resealable plastic bag. Your ice cube trays will then be ready for more herbs!
The second way to freeze herbs is to place them into the ice cube tray without freezing them first. Just place two or three leaves into the individual cubes and then pour cold water over them before placing them in the freezer. Again, when you need some, take out whatever you need and run it under warm water to melt the ice. Or, take out a whole cube and pop it into a drink for a hint of mint added to your lemonade!
4. Dry them
The dried herbs that you find in the grocery store can't hold a candle to herbs that you dry yourself. Sure, they may not technically be "fresh", but their flavor will still pack a punch and you'll be able to keep your herbs for months. Because there's no moisture in them, they won't go bad.
To dry herbs, gather them in a large bunch and tie the ends together. Choose the driest spot in your home (so not above your oven where pots are likely to boil and steam) and tie them to something. Most oftentimes you'll see herbs tied from a height when they're dried, but that's not even necessary. As long as there is enough space for air to circulate around them to dry them completely and evenly, it will work. When they are dried and crunchy, shake them over a bowl or pulse them in a food processor. You now have your own dried herbs!
5. Pots
Fresh herbs love nothing more than their own natural environment. That means a soil, water, and a little bit of sunshine. You can do this by growing your own, of course, but many grocery stores today also sell potted herbs in their produce section. You can just bring these home and place them indoors on your windowsill. Tend to them as you would any plant, making sure they get watered regularly, and when you want to use them you can simply pick off the leaves you need. And when the weather is nice, you can even transplant them to your outdoor garden if you wish.
6. Basil
Shutterstock
Advertisement
Basil is such a finicky plant it needs a point all its own. Place basil in the fridge and it will quickly turn black, even if you use a water container or a damp paper towel. You can dry basil, although it will lose some of its sweet aromatics, and you can also keep it in a pot. But if that pot sits in direct sunlight, that sun might burn the leaves because basil is so delicate. Instead, place basil in one of those containers filled halfway with water, or keep it in a small pot. Whatever medium you're using to keep your basil in, make sure you store it on your kitchen counter. It will be a good temperature for basil, unlike the coldness of the fridge, but you'll also be keeping it out of the blinding brightness of the sun.
Resources
Print this recipe