Follow my tips on how to store basil so it lasts as long as possible, and my favorite ways to use it up before it goes bad.
How I Store Fresh Basil in My Mediterranean Kitchen
Fresh basil is among the widely used herbs in Mediterranean cooking, and almost everyone I know enjoys its aromatic, sweet, and somewhat minty flavor. It adds a pop of fresh flavor and color to recipes like panzanella, tomato basil soup, and grilled pizza!
Because fresh herbs are so widely used in Mediterranean cooking, I’ve learned a thing or two over the years about how to make them last as long as possible. When it comes to how to store basil, I treat it a little differently than other tender herbs like cilantro or parsley.
How to Store Fresh Basil
To store fresh basil so it will last for up to 2 weeks, treat it almost like you would fresh-cut flowers. You’ll need a glass jar filled halfway with water, a pair of scissors, and a recycled shopping bag. Follow these simple steps:
- Trim the Basil Stems: Grab a pair of scissors and cut a 1/2-inch off the stems at a 45-degree angle just as you would a flower bouquet.
- Put the Basil in a Jar with Water: Fill a jar, a vase, or a glass halfway with water and put the basil bouquet (trimmed stems down) in the water. Make sure no leaves are in the water, or they will turn dark and slimy.
- Cover with a Plastic Bag: Cover the leaves and the entire jar of basil loosely with a plastic bag.
- Store at Room Temperature: Leave the covered jar of basil on your kitchen counter. I don’t recommend storing basil in the fridge as the chill can easily damage the leaves and turn them black, even if covered.
- Trim the Stems and Replace the Water Occasionally: Don’t abandon your basil bouquet! Change the water every few days and give the stems a fresh little trim.
How Long Will Fresh Basil Last?
If you follow my method above and store fresh basil properly in a jar of water covered loosely with a plastic bag, it should stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Ways to Preserve Fresh Basil
Can you Freeze Basil?
Yes! If you have way too much basil and you want to keep it for longer, freezing it is a great option. It will last in the freezer for months, and you can use it year-round!
Make Basil Cubes:
- Mince basil and add it to a medium bowl.
- Add olive oil to the bowl with the minced basil.
- Pour into an ice cube tray, but leave a little room at the top. If any basil is exposed, just top it off with a little more olive oil.
- Freeze: Place the ice cube tray into the freezer. Once frozen, pop the basil cubes out of the tray and transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Use as needed to add flavor to soups, sautéed vegetables, boiled potatoes, or even thaw on a plate, add a little salt, pepper, and parmesan, and use it as a dip for crusty bread.
Freeze Basil Leaves:
- Blanch the basil. Throw the basil leaves in boiling water for 10 seconds, then quickly pull them out and put them in a bowl of iced water. This will help preserve the bright green color. I always blanch my basil when I make pesto for the same reason.
- Dry. You can put the blanched basil in a salad spinner and give it a few spins, but I also like to wrap it in paper towels and give it a good squeeze to wring out all the water.
- Freeze. First, pull the blanched leaves apart and arrange them on a cookie sheet, then freeze for 12 hours or so, then transfer the frozen leaves to a freezer-safe bag (do this very quickly or the leaves will thaw). Close tightly and return to the freezer.
Make Pesto!
One of my go-to ways to quickly use and preserve fresh basil is homemade pesto! A jar of my pesto will last a good week in my fridge, and you can freeze it for up to 6 months! Use pesto in pasta, as a sandwich spread, or drizzle over fish.
Recipes to Use Fresh Basil
Tearing basil or roughly chopping it and tossing it in a recipe is an easy way to use it up. Here are some of my favorite recipes that use fresh basil.