How To Preserve Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs do not last forever and in order to preserve the integrity of one of your most flavorful cooking supplies, you need to act fast, as the quicker you dry the herbs – the more flavorful the results. There are several different ways to satisfy this task, including: the conventional oven, air-drying, microwave-drying, and freezing. When preserving herbs, one of the best rules of thumb to follow is to avoid heat, moisture and light, which is known to weaken the flavor of herbs. Below you will find instructions on how to complete some of the most popular methods of preserving fresh herbs.


Conventional Oven

1. Place clean, dry herbs sprigs on a baking sheet lined with foil.
2. Bake the herbs at the lowest setting of the oven until they become dry and brittle.
3. Continue to dry the herbs for about 12 hours.
4. Once completed, separate the leaves from the stems and place them in a small airtight storage container.

Air-Drying

1. Tie small bunches of herbs with string and hand upside down by the stems. This should take place at a location that is dry and warm (but out of direct contact with the sun). Air should be able to easily circulate about the branches.
2. Let the leaves dry until they are brittle, which depending on the thickness of the leaves – may take a couple of days to a week
3. Pick off the dried leaves and store in a tightly sealed container within a cool, dry place for about two weeks or until the leaves are completely dried.


Microwave-Drying

1. Just as the dew disappears from the leaves, pick your desired herbs.
2. Place them on paper towels that are situated on a plate made for the microwave.
3. Cook the herbs on high for a minute just as they possess the appearance of being "wet."
4. Stir the leaves and cook them for another minute, making sure to reposition them. This should last for another 30 seconds or until they are dry and crumbly.
5. Rub the herbs between your hands to break up.
6. Pick out any "twiggy" parts, storing the newly dried herbs in small jars or Ziploc baggies.

Freezing Herbs: With Water

1. Wrap the fresh herbs in foil or plastic wrap.
2. Place herbs in the freezer, which may last for several weeks. 

Freezing Herbs: Without Water

1. Chop up cleaned herbs and place them in ice cube trays.
2. Fill the trays with water and place in the freezer.
3. To use, remove the herb ice cubes and drop them in hot water.

When freezing herbs, it is quite common to notice discoloration, which is normal.