Herbs add a lot of flavor to dishes, but their delicate nature makes it tough to keep herbs fresh for longer periods. With a few tips and tricks, you can make cilantro, mint, rosemary, and all other herbs last for more than a few days!
1. Wash them properly
Use a salad spinner or similar toolerbs with cold water to remove dirt. After draining the water, gently dry the herbs with paper towels or a dry spin in the salad spinner. Make sure they are dry before storing them to keep them to wash fresh h fresh for longer.
2. Store according to the type of herb
Hardier herbs like rosemary should be stored differently than tender herbs like cilantro. More durable herbs can be placed in a single layer on a moist paper towel, rolled up, and placed in a plastic sandwich bag.
Tender herbs, on the other hand, should be trimmed first. Remove the bases of the stems and take off any wilted pieces. Place them into a jar with a bit of water at the bottom. Cover it with a lid or plastic bag for best storage.
3. Keep basil out of the fridge
Unlike most herbs, fresh basil will last longer outside the fridge. Prepare basil like you would tender herbs, but place them outside at room temperature. They should get some light, but not direct sunlight.
4. Dry them!
Sometimes, you can’t use up that many herbs at once. Luckily, herbs are super easy to dry! Rather than buying dried herbs at the store, you can make your own with leftover fresh herbs. Use them in sauces, soups, or dry rubs. Follow this guide from Serious Eats to learn more about how to dry herbs.
5. Freeze them!
If you want your herbs to last longer than a week, you can also freeze them. Chop your herbs and mix them with a bit of neutral oil. The oil will help the herbs from losing their flavor during freezing. Add the mixture into an ice cube tray or a freezer bag. If you’re using a freezer bag, make sure to flatten the bag so there’s even freezing throughout. Cut off a piece of frozen herbs and cook it into your dish!
6. Treat them like flowers
Herbs tend not to do well in fridges. The fridge is a cold, dry environment that causes them to wilt and wither. Before refrigerating, place the stems of the herbs in a glass with some water (maybe an inch) and see how they come back to life. This tip will keep herbs fresh for longer without too much extra effort.
7. Use your crisper drawer
The crisper drawer is the drawer at the bottom of your fridge that is specially designed for storing fresh produce. Since it is the most humid part of the fridge, it can provide a moist environment for herbs stored there, giving them a longer shelf life.
8. Give them a new home
Depending on your grocery store, they may sell herbs in plastic containers. When you take them home, remove the herbs from these containers and store them in a jar or on a damp paper towel. Herbs need room to breathe. Otherwise, they will wilt and get moldy faster.
9. Trim the stems
One of the top tips for keeping herbs fresh for longer is to give them a little snip. Trim the bottom of the stems before placing them in water or on a damp towel. This will help the herbs absorb water and stay fresh.
10. Use them quickly
Even with these tips, herbs will only stay good for about two weeks. The longer they are in the fridge, the more flavor they will lose. If you can’t use them all up, consider freezing or drying them.
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11. Don’t overbuy
It can be tough to gauge how many herbs to buy, especially with leafier herbs like cilantro or parsley. However, learning how much you will use in your daily cooking is important. Once you’ve figured out how much you need, it will be easier not to overbuy and waste food.
12. Re-pot Basil
Some grocery stores sell pots of basil plants, which is a great way to have fresh herbs on hand. That said, most store-bought basil plants have too many plants in one pot. This makes it hard for the basil to get the water and room it needs, leading to wilting.
Instead of leaving the basil plant as is, repot the plant into 3 or 4 separate pots. This will give each section more room to breathe and grow. Breathing room is necessary to keep herbs fresh for longer.
13. Invest in mason jars
Tender herbs like parsley should be placed in a glass cup with about an inch of water, similar to flowers in a vase. However, you probably don’t want to use up all of your glass cups to store herbs. This is where Mason jars come in. Their tall height and ample space make them the perfect vehicle for storing fresh herbs.
You can also close mason jars with a lid instead of relying on plastic sandwich bags to “close” the glass cups.
14. Consider herb savers
Herb savers are specialized containers made to keep herbs fresh for longer. They tend to be on the smaller side, so this is a great tip for those who live in smaller households.
15. Watch out for mint
Some herbs, like mint, are sold in bunches or simply as leaves. The storage methods for the two are different. When it’s in a cluster, use the glass jar method. When storing only the leaves, use the paper towel method for mint.
Looking for a way to use up your mint? Try my White Grape Chutney with Mint recipe!
16. Keep herbs away from (some) fruits
Some fruits and veggies produce a hormone called ethylene. Ethylene can trigger ripening in other fruits and vegetables. Storing herbs away from high-ethylene-producing foods will prevent faster ripening and keep herbs fresh for longer. Some fruits include apples, bananas, and honeydew. For a more exhaustive list, read this article.
17. Grow them yourself
There are so many herbs that you can grow at home with little effort. Basil, mint, oregano, and thyme are just a few herbs that are easy to grow. Since they are in their natural habitat (soil), the herbs will stay fresh for much longer, and you won’t have to worry about storage. Pick off some herbs for the dish you’re cooking, and voila! To learn more about growing your herbs, check out this article.
18. Give them space
No matter which storage method you use, herbs need space to breathe. Don’t overpack the mason jar or glass cup with too many herbs. Overcrowding can lead to faster wilting and deterioration.
19. Keep things damp
Most storage methods require giving the herbs a moist, humid space. However, it’s important not to overwater the herbs or make their environment too wet. Only add about an inch of water to the jar when using the jar method. As for the paper towel method, keep the towels slightly damp and not soaked.
20. Use oil
When freezing herbs, neutral oil is a fantastic addition to keep them flavorful. However, oil can also keep herbs like sage fresher for longer in the fridge. Add sage and olive oil to a jar and keep it in the fridge for up to three weeks. Not only will the sage stay flavorful, but you also have a flavored oil for cooking!
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