Steps for Freezing Herbs

Freezing herbs is the fastest, easiest way to keep herbs for cooking. It's also the best way to preserve their flavors and aromas, as well as most of their nutritional value.

Herbs that freeze well are mint, parsley, basil, sage, oregano, savory, chives, dill, thyme and tarragon.

Keep in mind that freezing softens their texture, so frozen herbs are best for cooked dishes, as well as soups and salad dressings.

How to Freeze Herbs

1. Wash and shake them dry. Gently blot with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.


2. Strip the leaves off the stems before you freeze them. You can freeze the leaves whole, or chop them first.


3. Put herbs in an air tight container.
   
   Seal them in freezer bags, squeezing out the extra air. You can pack each type of herb separately, or mixed, ready to use for recipes. Place the plastic bags in a larger container in the freezer to avoid being crushed.
   

   Mint ice cube tip: Freeze whole mint leaves with water in an ice cube tray. Drop the frozen mint cubes into iced tea or any cold beverage.

   
   Another easy way of freezing herbs is to make herb ice cubes. Chop fresh leaves finely by hand or puree in a food processor. Add a little water then put in ice cube trays. Once frozen, you can store the cubes in a freezer bag.
   
   Herb ice cubes are easy to use -- just drop them into sauces, soups or stews as they simmer. Each cube equals one tablespoon of herbs.


4. Label your containers. It'll make it easier to identify those frozen bits of green things several months from now.