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You can store basil in several simple ways that keep its incredible flavor fresh for weeks or even months.
The best method for storing basil really depends on how soon you plan to use it, whether you have a bunch of fresh leaves or a whole plant, and if you want to preserve that vibrant taste for the long haul.
Whether you’re dealing with a generous harvest from your garden or a bundle from the store, learning how to store basil properly is the secret to avoiding those sad, wilted leaves in the back of your fridge.
In this post, we’ll cover the best ways to store basil for short-term use, the freezer method for long-term storage, and some common mistakes to avoid so your basil always tastes garden-fresh.
Let’s dive in and make sure you never waste another leaf again.
Best Ways To Store Basil For Freshness
The absolute best way to store basil for short-term use is to treat it like a bouquet of flowers, not like lettuce.
Basil is an incredibly delicate herb that hates the cold, and it wilts fast when it’s stored incorrectly in the fridge.
If you want to store basil so it stays perky and flavorful for up to a week, this is the method you need.
1. The Jar Method Like Fresh Flowers
Start by trimming the very ends of the basil stems at a slight angle, just like you would with cut flowers.
Place the basil stems in a glass jar or a tall glass filled with about an inch of cool, fresh water.
Make sure the leaves are completely dry and none of them are sitting in the water, as submerged leaves will rot quickly.
Then, loosely cover the top of the jar with a plastic bag or a produce bag and secure it with a rubber band.
This creates a little greenhouse effect that keeps the humidity high while allowing the basil to drink up water through its stems.
You can store basil this way right on your kitchen counter, away from direct sunlight, and it will stay fresh for up to a week or more.
Just remember to change the water every couple of days so it doesn’t get cloudy and slimy.
2. The Damp Paper Towel Method
If you absolutely have to store basil in the fridge, the paper towel method is the gentlest way to protect it from the cold.
First, gently wash the basil leaves and dry them thoroughly with a salad spinner or by patting them with a clean kitchen towel.
Moisture is the enemy here, so make sure the leaves are as dry as possible before storing.
Lay the dry basil leaves in a single layer on a slightly damp paper towel.
Roll the paper towel up gently, like you’re rolling a sleeping bag, and place the roll inside a zip-top plastic bag.
Squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can before sealing it shut.
This method keeps the basil hydrated but not wet, and it’s a good way to store basil for about three to five days.
Just check on it every day and remove any leaves that start to look slimy so they don’t ruin the rest of the bunch.
3. Avoid The Crisper Drawer
While it might seem logical to store basil in the crisper drawer with your other vegetables, it’s actually the worst place for it.
The crisper drawer is often too cold and too humid, which causes the delicate basil leaves to turn black and mushy very quickly.
Instead of the crisper, store basil on a shelf near the top of the fridge where the temperature is slightly more stable and a bit warmer.
Even with the paper towel method, you want to minimize the time your basil spends in the cold environment of the fridge.
At room temperature in a jar of water, basil can thrive, but in the fridge, it’s fighting against the clock.
If you only plan to use the basil within a day or two, honestly, you don’t even need the fridge at all.
Just keep the bunch on your counter and it will be perfectly fine until you’re ready to cook.
How To Store Basil For Long-Term Use
When you have an abundant harvest or you just want to enjoy that summer taste during the winter, you need to store basil using the freezing or drying method.
Freezing is the absolute best way to store basil for long-term use because it captures the flavor beautifully, way better than drying does.
Drying is also an option, but you’ll lose a lot of that vibrant, fresh flavor that basil is famous for.
1. Freeze Basil Leaves Whole
To freeze whole basil leaves, start by washing and thoroughly drying them using a salad spinner.
Once the leaves are completely dry, lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Pop the baking sheet into the freezer for a couple of hours until the leaves are frozen solid.
Once they’re frozen, you can transfer the individual leaves into a zip-top freezer bag or an airtight container.
This process prevents the leaves from clumping together, so you can easily grab just one or two whenever you need them.
You can store basil this way for up to six months, and you can toss the frozen leaves directly into soups, stews, sauces, or stir-fries without even thawing them.
2. Freeze Basil In Oil Or Water
Another fantastic way to store basil for the long term is by freezing it in ice cube trays with either olive oil or water.
First, chop your clean, dry basil leaves finely, either by hand or in a food processor.
Fill each compartment of an ice cube tray about halfway with the chopped basil.
Then, top off each compartment with olive oil, melted butter, or water, completely covering the basil.
Place the tray in the freezer until the cubes are completely solid, then pop them out and store the cubes in a freezer-safe bag.
These frozen basil cubes are perfect for cooking, as they can be thrown straight into a hot pan or a pot of sauce to add a burst of fresh flavor.
If you use water, the cubes are great for adding to smoothies or for cooking down into dishes.
If you use oil, the cubes are ideal for sauteing or for making a quick basil-infused dressing.
3. Drying Basil The Traditional Way
Drying is a more traditional way to store basil, but it drastically changes the flavor profile, making it more earthy and less sweet.
If you still want to try drying basil, the best method is to use a dehydrator or to hang small bundles of the herb upside down in a warm, dark, and dry place with good air circulation.
Hanging it upside down helps the natural oils in the basil flow down into the leaves rather than settling in the stems.
When the leaves are completely brittle and crumble easily, strip them from the stems and store the dried basil in an airtight glass jar away from light and heat.
Dried basil will keep for up to a year, but just remember that you’ll need to use about three times as much dried basil as fresh to get the same flavor intensity.
Personally, I recommend freezing over drying any day of the week because you just can’t beat that fresh basil taste.
Common Mistakes When Storing Basil
Even with the best intentions, a lot of people still end up with a slimy, black mess when they try to store basil, and it almost always comes down to a simple mistake.
Let’s talk about the most common pitfalls so you can completely avoid them.
1. Storing Basil While It’s Still Wet
The most common mistake is storing basil while the leaves are still wet from washing.
If you wash your basil and then put it straight into a plastic bag or a container, you are basically creating a petri dish for mold and rot.
Water on the leaves will cause them to turn black and slimy faster than almost anything else.
Always dry your basil thoroughly using a salad spinner and then patting the leaves with a towel before you even think about storing.
This step is non-negotiable if you want your basil to survive for more than a day.
2. Packing Basil Too Tightly
Another huge mistake is packing your basil into an airtight container with no room for the leaves to breathe.
Basil needs a little bit of airflow, even when it’s in the fridge.
If you stuff the leaves into a tight container, they will get bruised, and those bruised areas will start to rot very quickly.
Treat basil with the same gentle care you’d give to fresh berries or delicate lettuce leaves.
Give them space and don’t pile them too high, and you’ll be amazed at how much longer they last.
3. Ignoring The Temperature
Basil is incredibly sensitive to cold temperatures, which is why we don’t recommend the fridge for short-term storage.
When you expose basil to temperatures below 50°F (10°C), it suffers from cold damage which causes the leaves to turn black and look unsightly.
The countertop method with the jar of water is always best for a few days.
If you have to use the fridge, make sure it’s the warmest part of the fridge, and don’t leave the basil in there for more than a few days.
For long-term storage, always go to the freezer directly rather than trying to keep a fresh bunch alive in the fridge for weeks.
So, How Can You Store Basil?
You can store basil easily using a few different methods, but the absolute best approach is to keep it on the counter in a jar of water like fresh flowers for immediate use.
If you want to store basil for the long term, skip the fridge and head straight to the freezer, either by freezing the whole leaves or chopping them into cubes with oil.
These methods will help you preserve basil’s vibrant flavor and ensure you always have some on hand for your favorite recipes.
Remember to always dry your basil completely before storing, and never pack it too tightly.
Now you know exactly how to store basil, so you can enjoy that fresh garden taste all year round.
Happy cooking, and enjoy your perfectly preserved herbs.