How to Freeze Fresh Herbs

Can you freeze fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, and sage? Absolutely! Here’s a step-by-step guide.

I’ve got three methods for you today:

1. Flash Freezing (Individually Frozen Herbs)
   • Best for retrieving specific amounts as needed.
2. Freezing in Measured Amounts with Water
   • Ideal for recipes where you consistently use a certain amount.
3. Freezing in Oil (My Favorite Method)
   • Convenient and ready for cooking, adding richness to your dishes.

In the images on this page, I am freezing oregano and basil, but you can use the same methods for other herbs.

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How to Freeze Fresh Herbs

Step 1 Harvesting

Start by selecting fresh, healthy herbs. The best time to harvest your herbs will depend somewhat on the type of herb you are working with. Here are a few tips.

• Timing: For best results harvest most herbs just before they flower when their oils are most concentrated. But even if flowers have appeared, it’s still fine to harvest when you can.
• Early Morning Harvest: Pick herbs in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the day’s heat. For my personal experience, that was easy in Colorado where it is dry and we rarely experienced dew. In TN… the dew is heavy some days and doesn’t dry until mid morning.
• Harvesting Amount: This will also depend on your herb. Often you’ll want to only take about half of the plant to allow it to regrow for future harvests.

Step 2: Cleaning the Herbs

Rinse your herbs thoroughly under clear water.

• A quick rinse is usually enough.
• If dirt has splattered due to rain, rinse multiple times.
• Pat dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
• Rolling herbs in a clean tea towel works well, too.

Step 3 Freeze.

You can freeze them multiple ways. Consider how you want to use them later to help you decide if you want to freeze them individually, in oil, or in water.

3 Methods to Freeze Fresh Herbs

Method 1: How to Freeze Herb Leaves Individually

This is probably the easiest way to start freezing fresh herbs.

• Strip leaves off the stems and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Place the tray in the freezer.
• Once frozen, transfer the leaves to a labeled freezer bag or airtight container.
• Frozen individually, the leaves can be measured in the exact amount needed.

Method 2: How to Freeze Herbs in Oil (My favorite)

This is my favorite way to freeze herbs. It is easy and it is very useable in the end. You’ll need:

• Fresh herbs (oregano, basil, parsley etc.)
• Olive oil (or your preferred oil)
• Ice cube trays or small silicone molds.

Steps:

1. Strip leaves from stems (small stems are fine).
2. Chop the herbs finely using:
   • A knife
   • A food processor (drizzle oil while chopping for even coating)
3. Pack chopped herbs into ice cube trays and cover with oil.
4. Cover trays with plastic wrap and freeze.
5. Once frozen, transfer cubes to labeled freezer bags.

I use these herbs in all sorts of things. Spaghetti, casseroles, fried potatoes, sauces. The oil-based cubes melt easily in hot dishes and are perfect for sautéing veggies or adding to soups.

Method 3: How to Freeze Herbs in Ice Cube Trays with Water

1. Strip leaves off the stems and chop.
2. Add about a tablespoon of chopped herbs to each section.
3. Fill ice cube trays halfway with water. Freeze. Don’t worry if the herbs float a bit. You’ll cover them in the next steps.
4. Once frozen top off your tray with more water to cover the herbs completely. Freeze again.
5. Once fully frozen, transfer cubes to a labeled freezer bag.

Tip: Frozen herb cubes can be added directly to soups, stews, or sauces.

This method works really well when freezing spinach or other greens as well. They can all then be added to smoothies.

Freezing Herbs: Tips & FAQs

How to Use Frozen Herbs

• Individually Frozen Herbs: Measure as you would fresh and add it to your recipe.
• Oil Based Cubes: The nice thing about these is the oil. It is all ready for a recipe. The oil melts into the dish and the herbs are ready to go.
• Water Based Cubes: Perfect for soups, stews or broth.

How Long Do Frozen Herbs Last?

Frozen herbs can be stored for up to 6 months in airtight containers to maintain their best flavor. Beyond that, they may lose potency but are still safe to use.

Don’t Leave the Cubes in the Trays

For best results, transfer frozen herb cubes to freezer bags to prevent freezer burn and allow for easy access.

Pro Tip: If you tend to forget, place a reminder note on your fridge or kitchen counter to transfer the cubes. I use reminder sticky notes all the time in my kitchen. Because yes… we all get busy sometimes.

What Herbs Can You Freeze?

Some of the best herbs for freezing include: basil, chives, oregano, lemon balm, mint, or tarragon.

How Do Frozen Herbs Compare to Fresh Ones?

Frozen herbs can be used in the same proportion as fresh herbs. Remember though they will be limp when defrosted. That means they are great used in recipes, but they don’t work well for garnishes.

Recipe Card

Freezing Herbs

Freezing herbs: How to freeze fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, and sage, using three different freezing methods!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:30 minutes mins

Equipment

• Freezer Bags or containers
• Cookie Sheet optional
• Salad Spinner optional
• Ice Cube Trays optional

Ingredients

• Fresh herbs like basil, chives, oregano, lemon balm, mint, and tarragon
• Water optional
• Oil optional

Instructions

• Harvest, rinse, and dry your herbs without crushing them, then proceed below.

Frozen Plain Herbs

• Strip off leaves and spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
• Place in freezer.
• Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags/containers.
• Remove air, seal, and label.
• Freeze.

Frozen in Water

• Strip off leaves, chopped if desired.
• Fill ice cube tray halfway with water, then place your herbs in each cube.
• Place in freezer.
• Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags/containers.
• Remove air, seal, and label.
• Freeze.

Frozen in Oil

• Strip off leaves and chop herbs.
• Mix ⅓ cup oil with 2 cups herbs.
• Freeze in ice cube tray.
• Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags/containers.
• Remove air, seal, and label.
• Freeze.

Author: Sharon Peterson