Freezing Herbs--Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Cilantro, Parsl

Submitted by susanratz

"I always have a big herb garden in the summer. Basil especially just grows like crazy and I hate wasting it! A few years ago I was looking for how to freeze them, and kept reading about chopping and freezing them in water in ice cube trays or spreading them on cookie sheets to freeze, etc, etc. It just sounded like too much work. Then I stumbled across someone who claimed to do the following. It works great and tastes just as yummy as fresh! :O)"

 

• Ready In: 5mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Yields: 1 bag
• Serves: 1

ingredients

• basil
• oregano
• dill
• thyme
• rosemary
• herbs, of your choosing (the ones listed are the ones I've tried)

directions

1. Thoroughly wash the herbs and allow to dry. If they are an herb where you just use the leaf (like rosemary or oregano), then trim the leaves off the stems. For parsley, cilantro, dill, etc I leave the stems intact and just cut off the ends near the base.
2. If just using the leaves, throw them as is into the Ziploc bag. If using the whole herb, roughly chop them (I simply lay on cutting board and just cut into 1-2 inch pieces) and put them in the bag. Squish all the air out and label using Sharpie marker. Place in freezer . . . voila!
3. When ready to use, simply break off/take out the amount you need and chop as needed. LOVE having fresh herbs all year! Also, if I need to buy herbs from the grocery store, I use this method to preserve whatever I didn't use right away.

Reviews

[Sandy 0225]

really works well, makes you wonder why you didn't think of it yourself

 

[WiGal]

Used this great AND EASY idea for mint and cilantro! Irks me buying fresh herbs for one recipe and then throwing out rest b/c I don't use it before it darkens. Froze in pint size zip locks. Thank you SPrins for sharing.

 

[Milkman's Daughter]

This is a very good recipe. I have only tried it for basil so far, but now that fall/winter is coming I know I can try it with my parsley, rosemary and sage too! Thanks so much!

 

[Dreamer in Ontario]

This is great! No more wasted herbs. Like a previous reviewer, I sometimes purchase those expensive herbs at the supermarket and only use a portion of it. Now I'll cut down on the waste and preserve the herbs in my garden for use this winter. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Anonymous]

Amazing idea! I always used to throw away spoilt herbs and most times run out of them too. I started freezing cilantro and thyme both fresh and air dried. Fresh thyme looses its colour thougj and tends to darken. Is there any way to preserve its colour? Will try with other herbs ie parsley, chives and rosemary soon