TIPS FOR STORING FRESH HERBS IN THE FRIDGE OR FREEZER

Having fresh herbs ready for whatever meal you’re cooking is a great way to elevate flavours and presentation. The question is, how do you keep herbs fresh so they last as long as possible? Keep reading to learn how to store different types of herbs, how to clean them, and what their expected lifespan is when properly stored.

HOW TO PROPERLY STORE TENDER AND WOODY HERBS

Understanding the difference between tender and woody herbs can help you determine how to properly store each type. 

The key difference is in the stem. 

• Tender herbs: Tender herbs usually have leaves that are choppable and grasslike stems.
• Hard herbs: Hard herbs typically have firmer leaves and stiff, woody stems that are unpleasant to eat.

WHAT ARE THE BEST HERBS TO GROW YOURSELF?

Growing herbs at home gives you access to the freshest ingredients for your meals. With the right supplies, care, and knowledge, you can grow the following at home:

• Rosemary

• Parsley

• Basil

• Mint

• Chives

• Thyme

• Lavender

• Oregano 

HOW TO WASH AND DRY HERBS

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying fresh herbs from the grocery store or they’re coming straight from your garden; you must wash and dry them properly to remove any dirt and bacteria.

Treat tender herbs the same way you would a bouquet of fresh flowers. Handle them with care and place them in a container with a little water. For woody herbs, roll them in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag.

STEP 1: WASH HERBS WITH COOL WATER

You should always wash your herbs with cool water. Because tender herbs are rather delicate, consider immersing them in a bowl of cool, fresh water, rather than rinsing them under water from the kitchen faucet.

STEP 2: RINSE AGAIN IN A FRESH BOWL OF WATER

Once the dirt has settled to the bottom of the bowl, rinse the herbs again in a new bowl of clean water. You can give hardier herbs a spin in a salad spinner, as they can stand up to a bit more rigour.

STEP 3: DRY HERBS THOROUGHLY

Once the herbs are properly washed, you need to thoroughly dry them. Give them a few shakes, then place them on a single layer of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Then, cover them with another layer of towels to absorb any moisture.

HOW TO STORE TENDER HERBS IN THE FRIDGE

It’s okay to store clean tender herbs in a mason jar or a deli container on a lower shelf in your fridge. You should snip off the ends like you would with fresh flowers and place them in an inch of water. Cover the herbs with a plastic bag or the container lid to keep out oxygen. Make sure to freshen the water when it begins to look cloudy. By storing tender herbs this way, they should maintain their freshness for up to three weeks.

STORE TENDER HERBS IN 6 SIMPLE STEPS

1. Wash and dry the herbs

2. Clean them up by snipping the ends and removing any discoloured leaves

3. Place them upright in a container with enough water to cover the ends of the stems, ensuring you don’t submerge the leaves.

4. Cover with a plastic bag or lid

5. Store on the lower shelf in your fridge

6. Replace water every few days or when you notice that it looks cloudy.

HOW TO STORE WOODY HERBS IN THE FRIDGE

Once your woody herbs are clean and dry, dampen a paper towel or cheesecloth and roll your herbs in it as you would a burrito. Then, tuck them in a plastic bag or plastic container to keep out oxygen. Fresh woody herbs can typically be stored in this manner in your crisper drawer for up to three weeks.

STORING WOODY HERBS IN 6 SIMPLE STEPS

1. Wash and dry the herbs

2. Remove any discoloured leaves

3. Roll herbs in a damp paper towel

4. Place in a plastic bag or sealed plastic container

5. Store in the crisper drawer in your fridge

6. Moisten the paper towels when they start to dry out

WHERE IN THE FRIDGE SHOULD I STORE FRESH HERBS?

Except for basil, fresh herbs like cool air, so store their containers on a lower shelf where air is coolest and the herbs have enough height to stand upright. Woody herbs are best kept in crisper drawers. You want to clean your refrigerator drawers and shelves regularly to prepare them for herb storage.

KitchenAid brand offers refrigerators specially designed to help maintain the peak freshness of produce. Select models come with an Herb Tender^® Container. Simply fill this cylindrical container with some water and place your tender herbs upright in it for easy storage. Be sure to shop KitchenAid^® refrigerators with solutions for fresh food organization.

HOW TO STORE HERBS IN THE FREEZER

Freezing is a great way to make sure you have herbs on hand year-round, and knowing how to properly store them in your freezer can extend the herbs’ lifespan for up to a year.

Portioning frozen herbs makes it easier to use them when you’re ready to cook. One method is to chop a tablespoon or two of herbs and freeze them in water or olive oil in your ice tray. By freezing them in olive oil, they can go straight from an ice tray to a sauce or a soup. If you’re freezing them in water, don’t forget to allow the ice to melt and soak up any extra liquid with a paper towel before using your herbs as you would any fresh herb. Also, if you don’t have an ice tray, a plastic bag works too.

Woody herbs can also be frozen whole, using the same method you would use to store them in the fridge. Simply, wrap them in a paper towel and seal them in a plastic bag.

STORING HERBS IN THE FREEZER IN SIX SIMPLE STEPS

1. Wash and dry the herbs

2. Remove any discoloured leaves

3. Chop herbs into one or two-tablespoon portions

4. Place chopped herbs in an ice tray or a plastic freezer bag

5. Fill the tray or bag with water or olive oil

6. Freeze for up to a year

HOW TO BEST USE FRESH HERBS

Fresh herbs are an amazing way to elevate the taste of a variety of recipes. You can muddle herbs for cocktails for your next party, blend fresh parsley into an herbaceous soup, or garnish bruschetta. 

Fresh rosemary can add a flavourful twist to baked potato chips, or add greater depth of flavour to an apple tart with fresh thyme. If you have a large amount of fresh herbs, whip up a batch of pesto to add to grilled meats, pasta, or veggies for an injection of flavour.

HOW LONG DO STORED HERBS LAST?

If stored properly, fresh herbs should be able to last for roughly 1-3 weeks in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer.

Here is a quick snapshot of some popular tender and woody herbs, and their average “lifespans” in the fridge:

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