Made Simple: Freezing Fresh Herbs
If you've read here long enough, you know I swipe herbs from my neighbors. Why grow herbs, when you can steal 'em.
~pulling on ski mask and creeping into their yard at midnight with a flashlight~
Not really, come on now. I'm a Choochie for goodness sakes. I have an example to set. Most of the time...
Instead of stealing, I'm lucky enough who have neighbors who share. Maybe their generosity is spurred on by getting these or these, hand-delivered by yours truly, or maybe they'd share even if they knew I couldn't bake. No matter. I simply love that they share.
Back when I wrote the original post on herb-snatchin', we were about to have our first frost and I snagged some fresh basil, cilantro and rosemary. Once I got them home, my hands and house smelled delicious and I suddenly wanted brick-oven pizza.
Since I couldn't use all the herbs before they'd spoil, I put out a call to my gardeny friends for advice. The consensus was to wash, dry, then freeze the herbs for later use. Some advised chopping, others to lay flat. My Google research had one caveat: once thawed, the herbs might be a bit limpish, so it's best to use them in a dish that will be cooked.
Gotcha.
My freshly picked haul:
Come closer and smell that aromatic basil. ~faint~
Washed, dried and packaged herbs are ready to freeze. All of the air has been pushed out of the bags for insurance against freezer burn, plus they'll store flat.
The bag on the top has a wet napkin inside the bag because I plan on using them on a pizza soon. No freezey.
It's as easy as that.
What say you experienced freezer of herbs? Anything else we should take into consideration?
Thanks for the tips! In the past I have briefly parboiled my herbs and then froze them like that. Basil was dark green and kinda shrunken up, but the flavor and convenience were there. I like the way your method allows them to look green and fresh!
Having fresh herbs in the middle of the winter...yum!
I've never thought about freezing herbs before, but now I want to try!
DO IT! So easy and it takes minimal space in the freezer.
I am harvesting Basil and Cilantro today. It is my first time to try and preserve some for later.
Love both of those. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing, my basil is blooming and blooming - totally want to save it for pesto all year 😀
Yum.
Have you tried freezing them in an ice cube tray with olive oil? I've seen it on Pinterest, and it seems like it would kill two birds with one stone!
I saw those pins, but haven't tried it. Anyone else?
I have done some of my herbs like this the past 3 years and it works wonderful. I buy those little plastic containers at the Dollar Store (8 or 10 in pkg I think) they have a lid so that is great. I add the chopped basil, garlic and olive oil. Then freeze. I also do the freezing in Ziploc bags like you show also.
Oooo! You do the olive oil! Thank you for letting us know that works too.
I've never tried, but I want to! I have heard that freezing them in ice cubes work too! Never tried that either though...Let me know if you try it;)
Elle
shopsouthernelle.com
Ha! I was going to say let me know if you try it!
I've never tried freezing fresh herbs before! I'll need to try that because I've been guilty of letting them go to waste!
When my lemons all become ripe at the same time, I juice them for winter goodness, so I figured it would be great to have the herbs too.
LOVE fresh herbs...They are so aromatic, good for you, and just bring a instant smile to the face! 🙂
Agreed! I love how my hands smell after picking them.
I've tried freezing my herbs in olive oil, but never just in a baggie! Good to know it works! I have an abundance of basil and oregano this year and don't want to waste one bite!! Thank you so much for sharing at The Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! PINNING!!!
Thanks for the pin!
Great tips! I have always wanted to try this! Thanks! Pinning and sharing~
Thanks for sharing!