How to preserve herbs from your garden (13 ideas), by abbi | making garden magic on YouTube. 7 min 7 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 7 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Rinse your herbs and pat them completely dry with a clean towel. Wet leaves spoil or turn mouldy, so remove any bruised or yellowed leaves before you start.
To dry herbs, spread small sprigs in a single layer on a tray or dehydrator shelf. Keep them out of direct sun and turn them once so they dry evenly.
Crumble fully dried leaves and store them in a sealed jar away from light and heat. Label the jar with the herb name and the date.
To freeze, chop the leaves and pack them into bags or ice cube trays. Cover soft herbs like basil with oil or water so they keep their colour.
For salt or sugar preservation, layer clean dry leaves with coarse salt or sugar in a jar. Press down gently, seal and keep in a cool cupboard.
To make herb vinegar, fill a clean jar with herbs and cover them with vinegar. Seal it, leave it in a cool dark spot for a week or two, then strain.
For herb butter, soften butter and mix in finely chopped herbs. Roll it in paper or pack it into a small tub and chill.
For herb oil, blend chopped herbs with oil and strain the mixture into a clean bottle. Store it in the fridge and use it within a few days.
Tips and common mistakes
Only preserve herbs that are dry and in good condition, since one mouldy leaf can spoil a whole jar.
Use a dehydrator or a very low oven for thick leaves like rosemary, as air drying works best for thin herbs.
Never store fresh herb oil at room temperature, because garlic and herbs in oil can grow harmful bacteria.
Write the herb name and date on every jar so you can use the oldest batches first.
Questions
Which method keeps herbs tasting closest to fresh?
Freezing chopped herbs in oil or water keeps the flavour best. Dried herbs are handy but lose much of their aroma over time.
How long do preserved herbs last?
Dried herbs keep for about a year in a sealed jar. Frozen herbs are best used within a few months, and herb butter or oil should go in the fridge.
Can I preserve herbs without a dehydrator?
Yes. Tie small bunches and hang them in a dry, airy room, or use a low oven with the door slightly open.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
