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4 Ways of Freezing Herbs to Use All Year Long

Some herbs loose their flavor when dried and are better preserved by freezing. Fortunately, there are several ways of freezing herbs depending on your needs and the herb itself.

A stack of chopped herbs on a cutting board. Text overlay reads: Freezing fresh herbs to use all year long.

Freezing Herbs in Water or Oil

The “right” way to freeze herbs is to chop them up, put in ice cube trays and then cover the herbs with some water or oil. When you want to use them you can add a little cube of herbs to whatever you are cooking

The “wrong way” to freeze herbs is to put the herbs into a ziplock bag, remove all the air and put in the freezer. Even though this is technically the wrong was to freeze herbs this way actually works really well. When you want to use the herb, just break off a chunk – no need to worry about extra oil or water in your dish.

Basil and cilantro both lose their flavor when dehydrated but not when frozen. If you have room in the freezer, consider freezing basil and cilantro instead of dehydrating them.

Herbs that freeze well…

  • Basil
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
An open jar full of pesto sits on a table, a spoon full of pesto rests on top of the jar. Garlic cloves and fresh basil are in the background.

Making Herbal Pastes to Freeze

Herb pastes are quickly becoming the new cool way of seasoning food. Did you know you can make them at home…for just a fraction of the cost? You can.

To make an herb paste just put some fresh herbs in a food processor (a small one is just fine), turn it on and drizzle olive oil over the herbs until you have a paste. Yep. That’s it.

Put the paste in a mason jar and it will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator. Or put the paste in ice cube trays or small mason jars and store it in the freezer. You can do single herb pastes or mix herbs together and make your own blends.

Herbs that make a good herbal paste…

  • Basil
  • Chili Pepper
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Garlic
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
A bowl full of herbal compound butter with a spoon sitting in it is seen from above.

How to Make Herbal Compound Butters for the Freezer

Compound butter is just a fancy name for butter mixed with fresh herbs. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, food processor, pastry blender but a lowly fork works just fine too.

Mix 3-4 tablespoons fresh herbs with ¼ cup butter. You can use a single herb or several herbs.

Once the herbs are mixed thoroughly with the butter, put the compound butter in a small mason jar and store in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer.

You could also use a silicone butter mold to freeze the compound butter; there are many designs to choose from.

Herbs that make good compound butters…

  • Basil
  • Chili Pepper
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Garlic
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Sage
  • Tarragon
  • Thyme
Close-up of chopped green herbs on a dark surface. "Freezing Herbs Tutorial" is displayed prominently at the top.
bowl of herbal compound butter for freezing

Other Ways to Preserve Herbs

While freezing herbs is a great way to preserve herbs to use all year long, it’s not the only way to preserve herbs. Drying herbs is an easy, no-fuss way to preserve herbs.

Many herbs can also be preserved by making herbal salts or herbal jelly. Herbal jellies are made just like flower jellies.

Thanks for sharing!

ANNA ZUROWSKI

Thursday 20th of August 2020

I love fresh dill and when I have to much of it, I chop it finely and freeze it in a mason jar. There's no liquid in the jar so it doesn't expand, and it's worked really well for me since the dill is still as fresh as can be. What do you think?

Angi Schneider

Monday 24th of August 2020

That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing.