How to Preserve Fresh Basil Without Using 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! 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. 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!
Ingredients
- handfuls of fresh basil leaves (works with any basil)
Instructions
- Start with fresh basil. Remove any damaged leaves, then gently wash the basil to remove dirt or anything else from the garden.
- Dry the basil completely!! 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.
- 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.
Notes
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
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