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How to Preserve Fresh Basil

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The Basil I seeded just a few weeks ago is already in need of trimming. Since I want the Basil plants to be full and bushy, I needed to pinch off some of the leaves and stem. 

But what can you do with the trimmings? Here’s how to preserve fresh Basil so you can enjoy it all winter long.

 

Basil plants before preserving leaves in freezer
Young Basil plants grow quickly so you can trim frequently

 

I love Basil and we use it a lot in cooking. Since we grow a lot of Basil, we could never eat it all when the leaves are ready.

But I have figured out a great way to preserve a lot of Basil. It’s quick and easy. And, the Basil tastes great whether we use it in November, January or any other time of the year.

 

How to Preserve Fresh Basil

 

Basil leaves and scissors sit on a cutting board

 

How to Preserve Basil By Drying

Drying Basil certainly works, but it’s not my favourite method. It tends to lose a lot of flavour once it’s dried.

Meh. Not for me. But here is how to dry it, if you want to give it a try.

 

Basil leaves drying in a basket in open air
Large leafed herbs can be dried in a basket in open air

 

Dry it just like I do with Lovage (that’s Lovage in the photo above). Pinch off the leaves and lay them on a cookie sheet or paper.

Spread them out so they are not piled onto each other. Leave them for a few days and once dry, crush them (or store the leaves whole) in a Mason jar.

Use whenever you want to add some flavour to soups, stews, salads and the like.

 

How to Preserve Basil by Freezing

 

Take a Look at  Harvesting and Drying Parsley
Young Basil plant with lots of new growth
Snip or pinch Basil leaves to store for later use

 

OK, now we’re talking. I like to freeze our Basil leaves. It’s the one method I’ve found that has the Basil leaves tasting just like they were freshly picked off the plant.

I just pinch and trim the leaves. Once the plant is really growing, I can take off a lot of the larger leaves.

If the plant is still small, a little prune job is still possible. Just don’t take too much!

 

Washed Basil sitting in a salad spinner basket
A salad spinner makes washing and drying herbs a breeze

 

I then give them a good rinsing and run them through my Salad Spinner. Have you got one of these? If not, you should – they are a great time saver.

The spinner holds a LOT of herbs (or lettuce) and makes really quick work of cleaning herbs.

 

Basil leaves in ice cube tray with water on them ready for freezer
Add enough water to cover the Basil leaves

How to Freeze Basil

I just cut the Basil leaves into smaller pieces, then I fill ice cubes trays with water.

Fill each compartment with Basil leaves; you will have to push them into place to fit several pieces into each compartment.

Put them in the freezer for a day or two. Once they are frozen individually, pop them all out and put them together in a Ziplock bag.

Back in the freezer they go, to be pulled out whenever we want Basil. One or two Basil cubes will be wonderful in fresh spagetti sauce, tossed into a salad or spread on pizza.

 

Basil and cherry tomatoes on a wood table

 

You can’t get much easier than this – make sure you include Basil in your garden this year.

Basil is easy to grow, easy to harvest and easy to preserve. Basil likes a lot of heat and cannot withstand frost – keep this in mind when you plant it.

Take a Look at  Bay Laurel

I put my Basil plants into containers and keep them on the porch.

They’re pretty, they smell wonderful when you brush against them and it’s super convenient to snip a few leaves to include with your meals.

Basil does like to flower early, so keep pinching the top leaves off. This will keep the plant from flowering. Enjoy!

 

Basil Pesto Recipes

Basil is great to use in so many different Italian dishes. Here’s a great recipe for a fast and easy Basil Pesto.

Allergic to nuts? Try this Nut Free Basil Pesto!

 

Looking for more about growing Herbs?

Want to learn about Lovage? A super easy herb to grow and it looks great in flower beds!

Ever tried Garlic Scape Pesto ? It is delicious and I have got the recipe here, check it out.

Drying herbs is really very easy, take a look.

Ever thought of growing Hops in your garden or yard?

 

a Basil plant growing in the window

 

Want to find out which are The 5 Easiest Vegetables to Grow?

Grab the free download available only to subscribers!

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Filed Under: Drying HerbsTagged: basil, drying herbs, herbs, preserving

Comments

  1. The Zany Housewife says

    at

    I was JUST wondering what to do with the excess basil I have taking over my patio. And now I know! I think you may have read my mind.

    • Annie says

      at

      Doing it this way also works well for times when you only have a few leaves, makes it easy.

  2. cicerosings says

    at

    Dropping some leaves into fresh tomato sauce in the ice cream trays is also a nice option … 3 cubes of basil/tomato sauce works for a single portion of my creamy tomato pasta. Oh yum.

    • Annie says

      at

      You bet Cicero!

  3. Heidi von Weitzer says

    at

    Thank you so much for your great tip. I love the scent of Basil. For this reason I grow lots of bushes which I use a cut flower. In summer the basil scent in my home is ever so familiar with my friends. it never dawned on me that I could freeze it, so thank you for your tip.

    Fondly Heidi

    • Annie says

      at

      Heidi, I always seem to be pinching the tips so mine don’t go into flower. But some always do get away on me, so I will cut them and have them in a small vase in the house. I had never thought of that, thank you for your tip!

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