the best way to freeze herbs

the best way to freeze herbs is in your ice cube tray!

herbs in oil in an ice cube tray

Freezing herbs in an ice cube tray is the BEST way to freeze herbs!

I’ve got lots of herbs. In pots. In baskets. Outside my front door.

And I’m in that end-of-season panic of what to do with all the herbs.

Cannot. Waste. The herbs. Basil’s an easy one – you just make a ton of pesto, right? And for years I’d dry any leftover herbs I had in my pots and planters. But I really wanted to try and preserve that “fresh herb” flavor that you just can’t replicate with dried.

Here’s a nifty trick for preserving most herbs – and I like it even better than just straight out freezing:

frozen herbs in oil

Freezing herbs in oil.

This is brilliance, my friends.

First of all, this method virtually eliminates the freezer burn that occurs when placing herbs directly into the freezer.

Second – and even more importantly – it preserves that fresh-herb flavor even better.

And it couldn’t be easier. Simply snip your herbs and fill the compartments of your ice cube tray. Add whatever oil you like to cook with, and pop in the freezer. If you’re freezing multiple varieties, a little “label” – made with some masking tape and a Sharpie – will keep everything clear.

chopped herbs in an ice cube tray

chopped herbs in an ice cube tray

Place your herb “cubes” into a ziploc bag and label.

To use, simply take a cube (each cube has about 2 tablespoons of oil; make note of how much yours contain) and place directly into your skillet, roasting pan or Dutch oven. Saute or bake, infusing your ingredients with the taste of fresh picked herbs – in February!

Which herbs freeze best? The ones that you would typically cook with – rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano are my favorites.

herbs in oil in an ice cube tray

frozen herbs in oil

Have you ever used this method? What do you think?

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8 Comments

  1. Sandra on August 7, 2013 at 5:51 am

    Brilliant as usual! I also never use up what I purchase in the winter. This’ll help hugely with not wasting.

    • sherisilver on August 7, 2013 at 6:55 am

      Yay! The first time you use a cube, you will LOVE the way your kitchen smells! 🙂

  2. Caroline on August 7, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    This is BRILLIANT. Sheri, my mom has an herb garden and she is going to DIE over this idea.

    You are a genius!

    • sherisilver on August 7, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      You are too kind – I can take NO credit for this idea; just the “share”! xo

  3. Deidree Lohr on November 13, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    Love this idea!! Thank you so much! I am “oil-free” so will just use water, but now I am worried about your comment regarding freezer-burn taste. You are absolutely correct! Ugh!?? Again, thanks for posting fabulous idea!!

  4. Kirsten on September 16, 2015 at 6:31 am

    Sheri,
    Thanks for allowing me to link to this post in my ‘what to do with a bunch of herbs’ round up!

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Hi! I'm Sheri!

Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!