How to Preserve Fresh Herbs: A Guide for Beginners

Fresh herbs add pep and flavor to almost any dish. Their delicate and fleeting nature, however, makes them challenging to preserve. Preserving fresh herbs involves removing excess moisture to slow their decay, which prevents them from wilting or growing mold. Keeping herbs in your refrigerator crisps them up again and slows their decay, but doesn’t preserve them for very long. Even freezing herbs only extend their shelf life by a few weeks. There are a few different ways that you can preserve fresh herbs so that you can enjoy them even when they are out of season.

Place Them in A jar or Container With Some Water

Herbs that are good candidates for this are cilantro, parsley, mint, and basil. To do this, fill a jar or container with water and place a few sprigs of the fresh herb at the bottom. Make sure that the water level is high enough that it covers most of the herbs. This method works best with fresh herbs that have a high water content, such as cilantro and parsley. Fresh mint and basil are better preserved by other methods.

Wrap Them In a Damp Paper Towel

Fresh herbs that go limp easily, such as basil, cilantro, and parsley, can be preserved by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and storing them in the fridge. This method works best with whole sprigs of herbs, so you can just throw them in a container or drawer in your fridge. The paper towel will help keep the moisture in and slow the herbs’ decay. This method is great for a small batch of fresh herbs that you want to store until you use them. You can also do this with a larger batch of herbs. You can put them in a plastic bag and then put this bag in a container in the fridge. This is a good way to preserve several bunches of herbs at once.

Store Them in The Fridge

Many herbs can be kept fresh in your fridge by storing them in a container with a moist paper towel inside. This method works best with herbs that are sensitive to light, such as cilantro, basil, and parsley. Herb roots can be kept in the fridge in water, but make sure the water level is high enough that it does not evaporate quickly. Another option is to wrap the roots in a damp paper towel and then place them in a container. Herbs stored in the fridge will stay fresh for a few weeks.

Place Them in A Container With some Olive Oil

Some herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, are great candidates for preservation using olive oil. To do this, place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a jar or container with some olive oil. Make sure that the herbs are completely submerged in the oil. This method works best with fresh herbs that have a high water content, such as parsley and cilantro. Herbs preserved with olive oil will last several months at room temperature, and even longer in the fridge.

Freeze them In an Ice Cube Tray

A few herbs, such as mint and tarragon, are great candidates for freezing. To do this, place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in an ice cube tray and fill them with water. Make sure that the herbs are completely submerged. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. These herbs will last for about six months when frozen.

Dehydrate Them

Herbs that are best preserved in their dried forms, such as basil and cilantro, are best preserved by dehydration. To do this, place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a dehydrator, turning them occasionally. Herbs preserved in this manner will last several months.

Place Them In a Container With Some Vinegar

Herbs such as parsley and cilantro, and also dill, are best preserved in vinegar. To do this, place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a jar or container with some vinegar and make sure that the level of the vinegar covers the herbs. Make sure that the vinegar is distilled vinegar and not just regular vinegar. Herbs preserved in this manner will last several months.

Place Them In a container With Some Salt

Some herbs, such as rosemary, are best preserved in a container filled with salt. To do this, place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a jar or container with some salt and make sure that the level of the salt covers the herbs. Make sure that the salt is regular table salt and not sea salt. Herbs preserved in this manner will last several months.

Place Them in a Container with Some Sugar

Some herbs, such as basil, are best preserved in a container filled with sugar. To do this, place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a jar or container with some sugar and make sure that the level of the sugar covers the herbs. Make sure that the sugar is white sugar and not brown sugar. Herbs preserved in this manner will last several months. Preserving fresh herbs is one way to extend their life and keep them available to use long after they would otherwise go bad. There are many different ways to preserve fresh herbs, so you can choose the method that works best for the types of herbs you have.