Freezing Basil

If you enjoy using basil on a regular basis, but you grow your basil in an outdoor garden, you may want to find a way to keep the basil fresh for longer than just the summertime. Freezing the basil is an excellent way to do this. Not only will it keep it fresher than dried basil, you are able to keep it for longer periods of time. There are many recipes that call for fresh leafy basil as opposed to dried basil, so you may want to consider freezing some to have on hand when your dish calls for it. Before freezing the basil make sure that you wash the leaves thoroughly.

Just like drying basil, there are many ways to freeze basil too. Basil is a delicate leaf that can be ruined easily so you want to take caution in finding a way that works best for you. The first method that many herb aficionados recommend is to place your basil in an ice cube. You should take about 1 teaspoon of basil and add it to unfrozen water in your ice cube trays.

You can then freeze as many as you'd like and when you're ready to use it, just take out an ice cube and add it to whatever dish you are making. The water will evaporate, leaving just the fresh taste of basil to spice up your recipe. This works especially well with homemade spaghetti sauce. Another popular method is to throw the leaves into a food processor with enough oil to make a thick or thin paste depending on your taste preference. You then put the paste in a zip-lock freezer bag and lay it flat in the freezer.

When you are ready to use the paste you can break off a piece and put it into the recipe. You would want to use this for dishes that have some form of liquid in it, such as a sauce, soup, or salad dressings. This is also a wonderful way to make pesto in a hurry. You can also just let it thaw and remove the basil from the oil to add to your meals. Another basic method for freezing basil is simply placing it on a cookie sheet and putting it in the freezer. After they are completely frozen you can take the leaves and put them in a zip-lock freezer bag. Freezing basil can be a great way to preserve your leaf basil for the cold winter months.

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