How to Preserve Fresh Basil
There’s more than one way to Preserve Fresh Basil, in fact I will show you how to do it using five different ways. All simple and easy. Choose one or two or do them all!
There’s nothing like fresh herbs especially basil. But as we head into the cool weather of Fall and the cold of Winter, all that lovely fresh basil we have growing outside will not survive the cold weather. So how do you preserve it?
How to store basil in the freezer
First you need to clean and dry the leaves. Then remove the stems, rinse the leaves, and drain in a colander, then move the leaves onto a clean tea towel, in a single layer, and let them dry out.
When the leaves are completely dry, place them on a cookie sheet, again single layer and place in the freezer for about two hours. Once they are frozen, place the leaves in a freezer safe container or bag. Careful not to over pack them or they will lose their shape. When needed you can cut a frozen slice and use in your favourite recipes. They will keep for up to four to six months. If you are worried that the leaves could turn black, then a good trick is to lightly toss them with some olive oil before freezing.
Another way to freeze basil is to make Pesto. To make fresh basil pesto ready for the freezer all you need is a blender or food processor, the fresh basil, olive oil and salt. Blend the ingredients until it’s pulpy. Then transfer the mixture into small freezer safe containers, be sure to add a little olive oil to cover the pest.
Once you decide to use the pesto, thaw it, place it into the food processor and add the remaining ingredients from the recipe.
How to preserve it in oil
Once again clean the leaves and let them dry completely as above. Then place them in a glass container (mason jar) and add salt 1-2 teaspoons, shake the jar to make sure all the leaves are salted. Fill the container with olive oil making sure to cover the leaves, close the jar and place it in the refrigerator.
This way the leaves will keep for several months in the fridge. Remove the leaves when needed. Keep the remaining leaves always topped with olive oil. There is no need to rinse the leaves, just use as is. And be sure to use the oil as well, after all that time it will be flavourful and delicious.
How to preserve basil in salt
Clean and dry the leaves, in a deep container with a lid, place a half inch of salt on the bottom, add a layer of basil leaves sprinkle with salt, press down gently but try not to break the leaves. Continue until you reach the top of the container. Then cover and shake the container so that all the leaves are covered well in salt, if needed add more salt.
Place the container in a cool dry area, remove the leaves when needed. Be sure there is enough salt when you have removed any leaves. If conserved properly it will keep for up to 6 months.
Air Drying the leaves
In order to dry the leaves you need to pick the stems before they start to flower. Remove the leaves but be sure to leave about a 3/4 inch or 2 cm stem, again rinse well to remove any dirt or dust. Place the leaves single layer on a clean tea towel and place another on top, gently pat to dry. They must be completely dry or mould could develop while air drying, and then of course they will need to be thrown out.
Group the leaves together in bunches, tying them together by the stem, hang the bunches on a hook and leave them to dry in a room where there is sunlight and air circulation. This process should take about two weeks for the basil to completely dry. Then remove the leaves from the hook and crumble the leaves with your fingers. Place in a jar and use when needed.
Delicious Basil Recipes
- Lots of Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce
- Warm Fresh Basil and Tomato Fusilli Salad
- Classic Italian Caprese Salad
- No Yeast Pizza Dough
I hope if you are like me and have one of the most aromatic herbs, Basil, to preserve one or more of these methods will help you preserve summer to use during the winter months.
I am sooooo sorry I didn’t read this article last September. I put the remaining basilico in a big jar and covered it with oil and put it on the closet. This is now June. I didn’t use it because I forgot about it. My friend said that it is rancid and that I should throw it out. Please advise.
I have been using the oil from the garlic jar that is on the counter also. I just kept filling the jar as I used the oil. Is that rancid also and I didn’t notice?
Thank you
Hi Maria, it should last for several months if it hasn’t been opened. If it is rancid it will smell and if the basil on top is not covered in oil anymore it probably isn’t good. If it is rancid you will know. If it is open it’s best to refrigerate it. I hope this helps. let me know. Take care!
Hello Rosemary,
I just popped some basil in oil and it’s solidified in the fridge. Is this expected?
Thanks!
Natasha
Hi Natasha, yes that’s normal, oil will solidify in the fridge. 🙂
What kind of salt do you use for the oil in jar method?
Will kosher salt work or should I use regular table salt?
Thanks!
Hi Nicole, I actually use sea salt but kosher salt is perfect, I wouldn’t recommend table salt. Take care!
Do you sterilise your jars before? My mum used to freeze her basil but i never liked it, they never stayed the same colour and ended up dark dark green. The best for me is putting it in a jar but not alot of people know this. When I tell them they are ways surprised. Its so nice to use in soups, minestrone, starting off any recipe that requires basil and oil. I love it and have been doing it for years.
Hi Rosa, yes I do sterilise my jars first. Thanks sounds great. Take care.
CIAO ROSEMARY,
JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS TELLING MY WIFE THAT I WISH THERE WAS A WAY OF FREEZING OUR BASIL THAT GROWS BEAUTIFULLY IN OUR GARDEN….. NOW AFTER READING YOUR INSTRUCTIONS I WILL DEFINITELY TRY AT LEAST TWO!!!!!!:-) 🙂
GRACIE
Hi Henry, thanks so much, glad I could help. Take care.
Doesn’t freezing fresh basil turn it black? Does it stay green or will it change color? If it stays green – WOW, I will certainly give it a try ( I liked the additional suggestion to squeeze the air out of the ziplock bag before sealing).
Hi Judi, a good trick to keep the basil from turning black is to lightly toss it with some olive oil before freezing. Hope that helps.
This is great info -thanks!
One more way that I stumbled upon – before your first cold night, take a young plant out of the soil and put in a glass of water in the kitchen. If it roots like mine did, you can put it in dirt and grow in your kitchen window. BTW, I tried it one time after it had started getting down below 40 F and it just rotted in place.
Hi Cindee, thanks so much for the info, I will have to try that.
Another way is to make pesto and pour into ice cube trays. Freeze then pop out and freeze in freezer bags. Drop 1 or 2 in soups all winter long!!
Hi Judy, yes that’s a great idea also. Thanks.
Hi Rosemary, I do a slight variation on your freeze method. I do all up till laying on paper towel and let dry. Then I just stack the paper towels in layers with the leaves in single layer between. I then slide into a zip bag, roll to get air out, zip, unroll and freeze flat. One gallon size zip bag full last me until next seasons herbs and the savings is well worth the little effort required. It’s so nice to have that fresh basil taste in sauces, ect. all winter long! Thank you for so many great ‘Taliano recipes, I love it!
Hi Patty, what a great idea, thanks so much for sharing. So glad you enjoy the recipes. Have a wonderful week.
Thank you! I am going to hang my basil to dry and also put some in a jar.
Hi Carrie, you are welcome. Take care.
I grow a lot of this Herb for my household. But i wasn’t sure how to make it last once i brought it inside. Thank you for sharing these storage ideas with me! I will put your ideas to work starting today.
Thanks Again!
Robbie
Hi Robbie, thanks so much, I hope these help. Have a great weekend.
I have found that i get a much longer life out of my herbs if i rap them in a paper towel. I store them in a drawer in my fridge. I can get a couple of weeks out of them. Any thoughts?
Jerome Pampinella
International Man of Leisure
Hi Jerome, that sounds like a good idea, if it works for you why not.