How to Preserve Fresh Basil Without Oil

There is nothing better than having an abundance of fresh basil during the summer until you realize you have way more than you can possibly use before it starts going bad! Instead of letting those beautiful basil leaves go to waste, I love preserving them so I can enjoy that fresh basil flavor all winter long.

Most methods for freezing fresh basil involve chopping it up, mixing it with olive oil, and freezing it in ice cube trays. While that works great for some recipes, I don’t always want extra oil in everything I’m cooking. Plus, sometimes I just want to grab a handful of basil leaves and add them directly to whatever I’m making, especially our favorite Thai Basil Chicken recipe!

That’s why I use this incredibly simple 3-step method to freeze fresh basil without oil. All you need to do is wash the leaves, make sure they’re completely dry, remove them from the stems, and place them in a freezer-safe container.

That’s it!

The basil leaves freeze beautifully, keep their fresh smell and bright green color, and can last in the freezer all winter long. When you’re ready to cook, simply grab the leaves you need and put the container right back into the freezer, they thaw quickly!

Why You’ll Love This Method for Freezing Fresh Basil

This is one of those simple kitchen tricks that makes me wonder why I ever complicated it in the first place! Take your garden abundance and preserve it to enjoy all winter in delicious recipes!

• No oil needed which can get expensive fast and make your recipe too oily
• No ice cube trays needed
• No chopping required
• Takes just 3 simple steps to prepare
• Easy to grab exactly the amount you need when cooking
• Helps preserve fresh garden basil all winter
• Basil keeps its beautiful color and fresh aroma and works for any basil
• Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan

Why Freeze Basil Without Oil?

The popular ice cube tray method of preserving herbs usually involves chopping the basil and covering it with olive oil or water before freezing. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that method, it isn’t always practical for every recipe.

Some recipes simply don’t need extra oil or you need to add basil at the end of a recipe, and I personally don’t love adding more oil than necessary just because I wanted to preserve some herbs.

Freezing the leaves on their own means you can use them however you want later. Grab a few leaves for soup, pasta, sauces, casseroles, or any recipe that calls for fresh basil. You get the convenience of having basil ready all winter without committing to extra oil in every recipe!

The 3 Simple Steps to Freeze Fresh Basil Without Oil

Step 1: Start with fresh basil. Remove any damaged leaves, then gently wash the basil to remove dirt or anything else from the garden.

Step 2: Completely dry the basil!! This step is super important! You can use a salad spinner or gently pat the leaves dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and allow them to air dry for a little longer if needed. Any excess water can cause the leaves to stick together and collect extra ice in the container and also turn the leaves black, so taking a few extra minutes to dry them well makes a big difference.

Step 3: Once the basil is clean and completely dry, simply pick the leaves off the stems and add them to a freezer-safe, sealable container. Do NOT over pack the basil leaves, you want them a little loose like the photo shows below. Seal the container tightly and place it directly into the freezer towards the middle shelves for best freezing.

No chopping. No oil. No water. No ice cube trays. No extra steps. Just fresh basil!

Pictured below is fresh Italian basil leaves ready for the freezer!

How to Use Frozen Basil

One of my favorite things about this method is how easy it is to use. Whenever you’re making a recipe that calls for basil, open the freezer, grab the number of leaves you need, and immediately place the container back in the freezer. The basil leaves thaw quickly, so there’s no need to leave the container sitting on the counter. Simply add the leaves directly to your recipe or chop them, as needed.

Frozen basil is especially delicious in:

• Pasta dishes and Italian recipes
• Soups and slow cooker meals
• Chicken dishes like our favorite Thai Basil Chicken
• Homemade sauces and tomato-based dishes
• Homemade pesto
• Pizza
• Casseroles

Pictured above is a frozen basil container! I know it’s hard to tell the difference, but that’s the beauty of this method. This container has a mix of purple basil, Italian basil, and Thai basil.

Does Frozen Basil Look Like Fresh Basil?

Frozen basil won’t have exactly the same texture as freshly picked basil once it thaws. The leaves become softer, which makes frozen basil best for cooking rather than using as a fresh garnish. However, when added to soups, sauces, pasta, and other cooked recipes, it still adds that delicious fresh basil flavor you love. Plus, freezing the leaves this way helps maintain their beautiful green color and wonderful aroma.

How Long Does Frozen Basil Last?

When stored properly in a tightly sealed freezer-safe container, basil can last throughout the winter and beyond. For the best flavor and quality, I recommend using it within several months. The best part is opening that container in the middle of winter and getting that wonderful fresh basil smell that instantly reminds you of summer and it makes every dish 1000x better!