If you want to preserve the freshness and flavor of basil leaves, then freezing them is your best bet. These leaves are versatile and common, and freezing them can come in handy when you have an abundance of fresh basil or want to enjoy it in the off-season.
But what are the best ways to freeze basil?
In this article I share four different proven methods for freezing basil, each with its own unique benefits. There is guaranteed to be a method here that will work for you, whether you want to preserve your basil to use in the next day's soup, or simply want to have fresh herbs on hand all year round.
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🍃 Freezing Basil as Pesto
Freezing basil in pesto is a great way to preserve the herb's fresh flavor and aroma for future use. It's a simple and convenient option that also helps you add a burst of freshness to dishes anytime you want.
By freezing fresh basil in pesto, you can enjoy the taste even when fresh basil is out of season. Here's how to freeze basil as pesto:
- Use your basil to make your pesto as you normally would, using fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, and your chosen seeds or nuts.
- Pull off a piece wax paper or parchement paper that's about 10 inches long and lay it onto a flat surface.
- Scrape the pesto from the bowl of your food processor into 6 even patties onto the bottom half of the sheet, and then fold the top half of the paper onto the patties and press lightly. Be sure to place your pesto trays on a flat surface in the freezer with a lightweight flat object on top of them. This will keep the parchment paper sticking to either side, allowing for easy storage.
- Transfer these directly into the freezer, and freeze for at least an hour. Alternately, use well-oiled ice cube trays.
- After an hour or two, take the patties out of the open freezer and make sure they're solidly frozen. If you have the space, you can let them freeze overnight & that's that, but if time is of the essence, then give them another hour before you check again; it shouldn't take more than a few hours for them to harden up.
- Peel apart the paper and stack the patties in a freezer-safe container for storage. From a lifetime of experience, they'll stay good for several years in the freezer. Yes, years.
Once you're ready to use the frozen pesto, there are a few ways to thaw it. You can either let it thaw in the refrigerator, at room temperature, or in the microwave on a low setting with some liquid (milk or water).
After it's thawed, give the pesto a good stir to recombine the ingredients before using it in a recipe. Freezing pesto is a great way to have fresh basil flavor all year round. It's perfect for adding to pasta dishes, spreading on sandwiches, or using it as a dip.
🧊 Freezing Basil in Ice Cube Trays
Basil can be frozen in ice cube trays, as nearly every refrigerator comes with a pair or two. If you're looking for a simple and convenient method to add basil to your dishes without worrying about it spoiling, this is the perfect solution.
In just a few easy steps, you can freeze basil in ice cube trays and have it ready to use whenever you need it.
- First wash and dry the leaves thoroughly.
- Remove the leaves from the stems and chop them finely, or leave whole if that's how you prefer to use them.
- Place one tablespoon of the basil into each compartment of an ice cube tray.
- Fill the rest of the space in the ice cube tray compartments with water, leaving a little space at the top.
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer.
- Once the cubes are frozen, remove them from the tray and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Once you're ready to use the frozen herbs, all you need to do is pop a cube or two out of the container and add it to your recipe. This method is particularly handy for recipes that call for small amounts of basil, as you can thaw only the quantity you’ll need.
Basil may discolor slightly after freezing but don't worry, as this won't strongly affect the flavor. To keep track of how long it has been frozen, make sure to label the container with the corresponding date.
Frozen basil cubes can last up to six months in the freezer, giving you plenty of time to enjoy its fresh flavor in your favorite recipes.
🌿 Freezing Basil Leaves Whole
Preserving the flavor and aroma of fresh basil leaves can be challenging, but freezing basil whole is an easy and convenient solution. I've actually found it to be the best way to preserve the flavor of basil without blanching, which I've always found to leach a lot of flavor.
If you want to enjoy the taste and fragrance throughout the year, this method is perfect for you. Here are the steps to freeze basil leaves whole:
- Clean the leaves by gently rinsing them under cold water. Pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean cloth.
- Arrange the leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the leaves are not touching each other.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let it freeze for 2-3 hours or until they are completely frozen.
- Once the basil leaves are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label the container with the date and contents. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
It's important to note that freezing may result in some discoloration and loss of texture. However, the great flavor will remain intact, making it a great option for soups, stews, and sauces.
Freezing basil leaves whole is the best method if you want to avoid blanching them. Blanching can cause the leaves to become mushy and lose their flavor, so freezing them whole is a great way to preserve their texture and taste.
🔪 Freezing Basil in Olive Oil
Not only does this method keep the basil fresh, but it also infuses the olive oil with a delightful taste that can be used in lots of recipes. If you're looking for a way to enjoy basil fresh all year round, here's how:
- Wash and dry the leaves, removing any stems or damaged leaves.
- Chop the leaves finely or leave them whole, depending on your preference.
- Place the chopped or whole leaves in an ice cube tray, filling each compartment about ¾ full.
- Pour olive oil over the basil leaves, filling each compartment almost to the top.
- Cover the ice cube tray with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer.
- Once the basil and olive oil cubes are frozen solid, remove them from the ice cube tray and transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents and keep stored for up to one year.
When you're ready to use the frozen basil and olive oil cubes, simply remove them from the freezer and thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature. You can use them in a variety of dishes, such as pasta sauces, soups, and marinades, even putting them over heat directly from the freezer.
These methods work for any type of basil, from sweet and large leaf to cinnamon or lemon basil. Just keep in mind that the more delicate varietals, like opal or cinnamon, may lose more flavor than some other varietals when frozen.
🍽️ How to Use Frozen Basil
I've covered a few dozen ways to use frozen basil elsewhere, but here are a few of my favorite uses for frozen basil:
- blended into sauces like this coconut milk sauce
- stir into your favorite fried rice recipe
- made into a simple pesto sauce
- add it to lemonade to make a refreshing basil lemonade
- swirled into finished cooked dishes, like pasta
- tossed into a warm salad
- add it to a nice cream recipe, making vegan ice cream
🙋🏻♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze basil without blanching it by just putting the leaves in a freezer bag or box and then freezing them. This actually gives the best flavor for using it in recipes later on.
Yes, you should always wash basil before freezing it to remove any dirt or debris or even bugs, especially if it came from your own garden.
Yes, you can freeze whole basil leaves by putting them in a freezer bag and putting them into the freezer, though if you stack the leaves, they'll break off in stacks when you choose to use them.
It's better to freeze basil in oil because it will help prevent freezer burn, but you can also freeze whole basil leaves without oil or water.
Plain basil can last up to one year in the freezer, though once made into pesto it can last for 3-5 years if properly stored.
Yes, you can use frozen basil for pesto, but if you stored the basil in water, you'll need to thaw and drain off the excess water before making it into pesto.
📖 Recipe
How to Freeze Basil (4 Ways)
Equipment
- ice cube trays
- wax paper or parchment paper
Ingredients
- fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Freeze Basil as Pesto:
- Use your basil to make your pesto as you normally would, using fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, and your chosen seeds or nuts.
- Pull off a piece wax paper or parchement paper that's about 10 inches long and lay it onto a flat surface.
- Scrape the pesto from the bowl of your food processor into 6 even patties onto the bottom half of the sheet, and then fold the top half of the paper onto the patties and press lightly. Be sure to place your pesto trays on a flat surface in the freezer with a lightweight flat object on top of them. This will keep the parchment paper sticking to either side, allowing for easy storage.
- Transfer these directly into the freezer for at least an hour. Alternately, use well-oiled ice cube trays.
- After an hour or two, take the patties out of the open freezer and make sure they're solidly frozen. If you have the space, you can let them freeze overnight & that's that, but if time is of the essence, then give them another hour before you check again; it shouldn't take more than a few hours for them to harden up.
- Peel apart the paper and stack the patties in a freezer-safe container for storage. From a lifetime of experience, they'll stay good for several years in the freezer. Yes, years.
Freeze Basil in Ice Cube Trays:
- First wash and dry the leaves thoroughly.
- Remove the leaves from the stems and chop them finely, or leave whole if that's how you prefer to use them.
- Place one tablespoon of the basil into each compartment of an ice cube tray.
- Fill the rest of the space in the ice cube tray compartments with water, leaving a little space at the top.
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer.
- Once the cubes are frozen, remove them from the tray and store them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze Basil Whole:
- Clean the leaves by gently rinsing them under cold water. Pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean cloth.
- Arrange the leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the leaves are not touching each other.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let it freeze for 2-3 hours or until they are completely frozen.
- Once the basil leaves are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label the container with the date and contents. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Feeze Basil in Oil:
- Wash and dry the leaves, removing any stems or damaged leaves.
- Chop the leaves finely or leave them whole, depending on your preference.
- Place the chopped or whole leaves in an ice cube tray, filling each compartment about ¾ full.
- Pour olive oil over the basil leaves, filling each compartment almost to the top.
- Cover the ice cube tray with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer.
- Once the basil and olive oil cubes are frozen solid, remove them from the ice cube tray and transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents and keep stored for up to one year.
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