Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Yes, you can freeze basil and cilantro, and it’s actually one of the easiest ways to keep these fresh herbs on hand without watching them wilt in your fridge.
Both basil and cilantro freeze beautifully when you use the right method, and they’ll hold onto that fresh-picked flavor for months.
Whether you’ve got a bumper crop from the garden or just grabbed too much at the store, freezing is a simple, no-stress solution.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to freeze basil and cilantro, the best methods for each herb, and a few tips so they don’t turn into a mushy mess when you thaw them.
Let’s get into it.
Can You Freeze Basil and Cilantro? Here’s the Answer
You can freeze basil and cilantro, and both herbs handle the process surprisingly well when you prep them correctly.
The key difference is how you plan to use them afterward, because freezing changes their texture just a bit.
Fresh basil and cilantro are mostly water, so when that water freezes, the cell walls break down slightly.
That means thawed herbs won’t look as crisp as the day you bought them, but their flavor stays intact.
So if you’re tossing them into soups, sauces, stews, or curries, you won’t notice a thing.
Here’s why freezing basil and cilantro works so well:
1. Freezing Locks In Flavor and Color
When you freeze basil and cilantro quickly, you pause the clock on their freshness.
The volatile oils that give these herbs their bright, distinctive taste stay locked inside.
That’s why a handful of frozen cilantro dropped into a pot of chili tastes almost as good as fresh.
2. It Prevents Waste
Let’s be honest, fresh herbs are notorious for going slimy within days.
Freezing basil and cilantro means you can buy or harvest a big batch and use it at your own pace.
No more rushing to use up that bunch of cilantro before it turns to mush.
3. It’s Quick and Budget-Friendly
Freezing herbs takes just a few minutes of prep, and it costs way less than buying those tiny plastic clamshells week after week.
Once you learn how to freeze basil and cilantro, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
How to Freeze Basil
Basil is a little diva when it comes to cold, so it needs a bit of special care.
Here are the two best ways to freeze basil so it keeps that sweet, peppery punch:
1. The Blanching Method
Blanching basil first helps preserve its bright green color and prevents it from turning black in the freezer.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, then dunk your basil leaves in for just 2 to 3 seconds.
Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
Pat the leaves dry, chop them up, and pack them into ice cube trays with a little water or olive oil.
Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in a freezer bag.
2. The Olive Oil Cube Trick
This is my favorite way to freeze basil because it doubles as a flavor base for cooking.
Chop your fresh basil and spoon it into an ice cube tray, filling each slot about two-thirds full.
Top each one off with olive oil, then freeze until solid.
Now you’ve got ready-to-go basil cubes that melt right into a hot skillet for pasta, pesto, or sautéed veggies.
3. Whole Leaf Freezing
If you want to keep basil leaves whole, you can freeze them flat on a baking sheet.
Lay the dry leaves in a single layer, freeze for a couple of hours, then transfer them to a bag.
Just know that whole frozen basil leaves will wilt when thawed, so use them in cooked dishes rather than as a garnish.
How to Freeze Cilantro
Cilantro is a bit more forgiving than basil, and freezing it is incredibly straightforward.
Here’s how to freeze cilantro so it stays vibrant and flavorful:
1. Chop and Freeze in Bags
Wash your cilantro and dry it thoroughly, because excess water leads to ice crystals and freezer burn.
Chop the leaves and tender stems, then spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually.
Once frozen, scoop the pieces into a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and seal it up.
This way, you can grab a handful whenever you need it without the whole clump freezing together.
2. Cilantro Ice Cubes
Just like basil, cilantro freezes beautifully in ice cube trays.
Pack chopped cilantro into the trays, cover with water or olive oil, and freeze.
These cubes are perfect for dropping into soups, salsas, and rice dishes.
3. Freezing Cilantro Stems Too
Don’t toss those stems.
Cilantro stems carry tons of flavor and freeze just as well as the leaves.
Chop them up and freeze them separately to use in curries, marinades, and stocks.
4. How Long Do They Last?
Frozen basil and cilantro will keep for up to 6 months in a well-sealed container.
After that, they’re still safe to eat but start losing their punch.
Label your bags with the date so you always know what you’re working with.
Tips for Freezing Basil and Cilantro Like a Pro
A few small habits make a big difference when you freeze basil and cilantro.
Always start with dry herbs, since moisture is the enemy of good frozen texture.
Freeze in small portions so you only thaw what you need.
And remember, frozen herbs work best in cooked dishes rather than as a fresh garnish.
So, Can You Freeze Basil and Cilantro?
You can freeze basil and cilantro, and doing so is one of the smartest ways to keep these herbs on hand all year round.
Both freeze well with a little prep, whether you blanch basil, chop cilantro, or pack them into olive oil cubes.
The flavor stays bright, the color holds up, and you’ll never waste another wilting bunch again.
So go ahead and freeze basil and cilantro with confidence, because your future self will thank you every time dinner needs a fresh pop of flavor.