Learn how to preserve the bounty of fresh herbs from your herb garden with these two easy methods. Details and helpful tips on preserving fresh herbs by freezing and drying.
So you planted a herb garden earlier in the season and now it has exploded with beautiful, fresh herbs. More herbs than you can possibly eat fresh. So what should you do with all these herbs? I am going to show you my two favorite ways to preserve herbs. They are easy and allow you to preserve the flavors of the herb garden to enjoy into the colder months.
I love growing a herb garden each year because it is so easy (even for somebody lacking a green thumb like myself) and nothing beats the fresh flavor that herbs add to meals. You can check out this post that I wrote all about growing your own herbs and the health benefits of fresh herbs.
There comes a point in the season though where my herb garden just explodes. Although nothing will beat the flavor of fresh herbs, there are just too many to get through. So in order not to waste any and enjoy my herbs into the winter, I like to either dry or freeze them. Let me take you through the process on how to preserve your herbs using these two easy methods.
Tip: Best to cut the herbs in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is shining down on them.
How To Freeze Fresh Herbs
In order to preserve your herbs by freezing, simply…
- Clean herbs with a wet cloth and finely chop.
- Place chopped herbs into an ice cube tray, silicone mini muffin tray or baby food storage tray. Tip: Great way to repurpose those baby food storage trays once your child has outgrown baby food.
- Pour in olive oil or broth to cover the herbs.
- Place in the freezer. Once frozen, you can transfer the cubes to a freezer bag or container. Store in freezer.
Tip: You can freeze single herbs in the cubes or combine some that work well together like rosemary and thyme.
Ways To Use Frozen Herb Cubes:
The olive oil herb cubes can be melted and used when sauteing or in salad dressings. The broth herb cubes can be popped frozen into stews, soups, pasta sauces or anything that could use a little flavor kick.
How To Dry Fresh Herbs
My favorite herbs to dry are rosemary, mint, sage, thyme and oregano. In order to preserve your herbs by drying, simply…
- Tie small bundles of herbs together with kitchen twine around the stems.
- Hang upside down in a dark, dry, well ventilated space.
- Allow the herbs to dry completely. This takes about 1-3 weeks. They are ready once the leaves crumble easily.
- Remove the dried leaves from the stem and store in an airtight container like these small mason jars.
Tip: The best way that I have found to remove the dried leaves is to first line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then remove all the leaves onto the tray. The larger surface means you can quickly strip the leaves off with less mess. Then pick up the parchment paper on each end to create a funnel and pour your herbs into a container.
Ways To Use Dried Herbs:
You can use them in any recipe calling for dried herbs. Sage, rosemary and thyme will add great flavor to all your holiday dishes. I use my dried mint as loose leaf tea. It is incredibly fragrant and flavorful. I like to grow and dry some unique varieties of mint for tea like chocolate mint or strawberry mint.
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Preserving Fresh Herbs: 2 Easy Ways
- Prep Time: 15 min (varies depending on quantity and method)
- Total Time: 4 hours (if freezing and a few weeks for drying method)
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Seasonings
Description
Learn how to preserve the bounty of fresh herbs from your herb garden with these two easy methods: Freezing + Drying.
Ingredients
- Fresh Herbs
- Olive oil or broth, for freezing method
Equipment:
- Freezing Method: ice cube tray or silicone mini muffin tray or baby food storage tray
- Drying Method: kitchen twine and small storage containers
Instructions
How To Freeze Fresh Herbs:
- Clean herbs with a wet cloth and finely chop.
- Place chopped herbs into an ice cube tray, silicone muffin tray or baby food storage tray.
- Cover herbs with olive oil or broth.
- Place in freezer. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag or container and store in freezer.
How To Dry Fresh Herbs:
- Tie small bundles of herbs together with kitchen twine around the stems.
- Hang upside down in a dark, dry, well ventilated space.
- Allow the herbs to dry completely (approx. 1-3 weeks). Ready once the leaves crumble easily.
- Remove the dried leaves from the stem and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- See post for helpful tips and ways to use your frozen and dried herbs.
Joni
Enjoying my first herb garden. I think that the olive oil in the ice trays is a fabulous idea. So glad I won’t be wasting even one leaf. Well done, thanks !
joni
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
You’re welcome! I’m glad that you found it helpful and congrats on your first herb garden!
Kelly Neil
Oooooh I love this, especially the broth trick!! So perfect for winter soups. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
You’re welcome! The broth trick is a great way to add herbs to winter dishes.
Michael W
How do you know how much herbs to add to each cube, muffin cup, etc?
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
The quantity will depend on the size of the tray you are using. No exact measurements are required. I like to pack the chopped herbs in until about 3/4 full and then I pour in the broth or olive oil. Hope that helps!
Sharon
Love the solidified olive oil idea! I want to attempt growing mint to make tea. You have inspired me that it can be done. 🙂
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
Your own dried mint makes the best tea ever!
Nancy @instanomss
Isn’t this a great way to save those fresh herbs that wilt so quickly? we’ve been doing a lot of this at home toO!
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
Don’t want to waste any of them right!
Shelby
Great tips! I freeze mine in ice cubes for smoothies- so yummy!
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
That’s a great way to use them!
Meena
These are such great tips!
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Vanessa | Maple + Mango
Glad you found them helpful!