herbs, can they be frozen?

@IcyCucky (361)
United States
August 9, 2007 11:28am CST
I have two pots of basil, and I want to use them later in the year. Can I pick them, wash them, and freeze them? Is this a good idea? I love basil but I can't use them all right now. I need to find a way of preserving my herb. If you have any suggestion on how to keep them fresh, whole or crumble, I would like to know.
2 people like this
3 responses
@draconess (650)
• Canada
9 Aug 07
I've never had good luck freezing herbs, they come out tasteless and bland. I like to dry them instead- I pick a couple sprigs, tie them together and hang them upside down. After a few days they're completely dried, and can be kept in jar for months. The flavour stays good this way, just like dried herbs you can buy at the grocery store. Another great way to preserve some basil is to make a bunch of pesto and can it, it stays fresh for months until you open the jar. I love pesto and use it in tons of recipes, on everything from chicken to pasta!
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@IcyCucky (361)
• United States
9 Aug 07
Thanks for the ideas. I used to dry them, but the color turns to a much darker green. I thought this year I'll try freezing them to see how they will turn out, or if it is possible to freeze them.
@matte5 (1913)
• Sweden
9 Aug 07
Hello. Yes you can do that. I do it all the time and they are stil fresh when I hawe to use them I hawe alot of herbs that I do that with. So go on frezze the herbs.
@IcyCucky (361)
• United States
9 Aug 07
Thank you very much. Do they taste the same as fresh, and do they hold up after thawning?
2 people like this
@matte5 (1913)
• Sweden
9 Aug 07
Yes they do here in sweden you can buy all difrent kind of herbs frozzen.
2 people like this
• United States
9 Aug 07
That's good news! all I ever thought of was drying them, which of course is not as good as fresh! And frozen is always fresher than dried.
@wdiong (1815)
• Singapore
16 Aug 07
Herbs may be frozen. Rinse herbs in cold water and blanch in boiling, unsalted water for 5 seconds or until bright green. Cool quickly in ice water, package and freeze. Dill, parsley, chives and basil can be frozen without blanching.
1 person likes this
@IcyCucky (361)
• United States
16 Aug 07
Thank you very much for replying.