How To Freeze Basil
If you're a fan of using basil for pesto, soups & more, then you'll definitely want to know how to freeze basil to retain its freshness & reduce waste.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of basil
Instructions
If the basil leaves are blanched:
- Wash the basil leaves.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Place the basil leaves to a colander that fits the pot.
- Dip the colander into boiling water for 5 seconds.
- Transfer the leaves in a bowl of ice water.
- Spin the leaves dry in a salad spinner.
- Lay the leaves out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze for 12 hours.
- Transfer the leaves quickly in a ziplock bag and keep in the frizzer until ready to use.
If the basil leaves are unblanched:
- Wash the basil leaves.
- Spin the leaves dry in a salad spinner.
- Lay the leaves out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze for 12 hours.
- Transfer the leaves quickly in a ziplock bag and keep in the frizzer until ready to use.
For freezing basil in oil cubes:
- Wash the basil leaves.
- Spin the leaves dry in a salad spinner.
- Chop the basil leaves.
- Place the chopped basil in ice cube tray.
- Cover with olive oil and freeze.
For freezing basil in water cubes:
- Wash the basil leaves.
- Spin the leaves dry in a salad spinner.
- Chop the basil leaves.
- Place the basil in ice cube tray.
- Cover with water and freeze.
Notes
- Avoid using wilted or damaged basil leaves.
- For the most vibrant color, blanched basil leaves are the best.
- Unblanched basil leaves will be slightly darker in color.
- Remove excess moisture from the basil leaves before freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Label the container with the date of freezing to keep track of its freshness.