How to Store Fresh Herbs » Preserving and Extending the Life of Your Herbs, by Chef Billy Parisi on YouTube. 8 min 37 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 37 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Sort your herbs into soft stem types like basil, cilantro and parsley, and hard stem types like rosemary, thyme and oregano. Soft and hard stems need different methods.
For soft stem herbs, fill a short or medium glass with cold water. Stand the stems in the water but keep the leaves above the surface.
Cover the herbs and glass with a plastic bag and pinch the bag closed as best you can. Put it on the bottom shelf of the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks.
For hard stem herbs, or mint, parsley and cilantro, fill a glass halfway with cold water. Separate the stems from a large bunch or strip the leaves and submerge them.
Chill that glass on the bottom shelf of the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks or longer.
For any herb, lay the leaves on a damp paper towel and roll it up loosely. Put the roll in a plastic bag or airtight container.
Store the rolled herbs on the bottom shelf of the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks or longer.
To freeze herbs, spread leaves or diced herbs evenly in ice cube trays. Pour olive oil over them, cover and freeze for up to 6 months.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not submerge soft stem leaves in water, or they will rot instead of staying fresh.
Change the water in the glass every few days to keep it clean and slow spoilage.
Label the frozen herb cubes with the herb name and date so you know what you are using.
Use the olive oil cubes straight in pasta, roasted vegetables or on top of cooked proteins.
Questions
Which method works for basil?
Basil is a soft stem herb, so stand the stems in a glass of cold water, cover with a plastic bag and chill it. Keep the leaves out of the water.
How long do the herbs last?
The fridge methods keep herbs fresh for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. The olive oil ice cubes keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Can I use this for dried herbs?
No, these methods are for fresh herbs. Dried herbs should stay in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
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.
