How to Preserve Herbs for Winter to Enjoy Them All Year Around
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, we’re seeing the end of our flourishing herb gardens. Although we will be growing some herbs indoors, we’re still trying to preserve as much of our outdoor herbs as possible. Because we love cooking with herbs, we preserve them in many different ways, including freezing, drying, and more. Let’s explore the different ways we like to preserve our herbs.
1. Freezing
This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to preserve herbs. It’s so easy to grab some from the freezer and add them to different dishes. For the most part, you do not need to defrost them because they usually thaw pretty quickly when added to warm food. To freeze herbs, just wash and pat them dry, chop them finely, and place them in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the herb cubes to a freezer bag for easy storage.
2. Drying
Drying herbs is a classic preservation method. We like to store our dried herbs in small jars alongside our other spices.
There are two effective methods for drying herbs:
- Bundle Method: Tie them into small bundles and hang them upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area. Once dry, remove the leaves from the stems, crumble them up with your hands, and store them in airtight containers.
- Dehydrator/Oven Method: For a faster drying process, use a dehydrator or dry them in an oven on low heat. I dry them whole and crumble them up with my hands once they are dry.
3. Herb-infused Oils and Vinegar
Infusing oils and vinegar with herbs is so much fun and a wonderful way to capture their essence. Pack a jar with fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or basil, and cover them with oil or vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few weeks to allow the flavors to meld, then strain out the herbs and transfer the infused oil or vinegar to a clean bottle.
4. Herb Butters
Also known as compound butter, herb butter is butter mixed with herbs. When added to dishes or used for making garlic bread, it is a luxurious way to preserve the flavors of your favorite herbs. To make herbed butter, soften and mix in finely chopped herbs, such as garlic, parsley, chives, dill, or tarragon. You can also use a food processor to make it easier to mix. Once mixed, roll the flavored butter into a log using parchment paper and freeze it. Slice off portions as needed to add flavor to cooked dishes.
5. Herb Pesto
We love pesto! Most people don’t know you can make pesto from many herbs—not just basil but also dill and cilantro. Pesto is a versatile condiment; we use it for pasta, to add extra flavor to lasagna, in tomato sauces, or to make fancy toast. To make pesto, blend fresh herbs, such as cilantro, mint, or arugula, with garlic, nuts, vegan cheese or nutritional yeast (or parmesan cheese if not vegan), and olive oil to create a flavorful paste. I like to store the pesto in small jars, covering the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation. Refrigerate it for several weeks or freeze it for extended storage. I also like to freeze pesto in ice cube trays and then transfer them to bags for perfect portions.
By using these preservation methods, you can savor the fresh summer flavors of herbs throughout the winter months. Whether adding a cube of frozen cilantro to a soup pot or drizzling herb-infused oil over a salad, these preserved herbs will bring a taste of summer to your winter meals.
Here are more tips for using herbs:
