Fresh basil is tender and bruises easily, so storage methods that work for woody herbs are not always a good fit. For short-term use, keep freshly cut stems like a bouquet at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve basil for sauces, soups, and cooked dishes.
Frozen basil will not have the same crisp texture as fresh leaves, but it can retain useful flavor for cooking.
Store Fresh Basil on the Counter
Trim the stem ends and place basil in a jar with a small amount of water, much like cut flowers. Keep it out of harsh direct sun and change the water as needed. Avoid crushing or tightly packing the leaves.
Freeze Whole Basil Leaves
Wash the leaves gently and dry them thoroughly. Spread them in a single layer on a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Use the frozen leaves directly in cooked recipes rather than expecting them to thaw with a fresh-leaf texture.
Freeze Chopped Basil
Chop or puree basil and freeze it in small portions. A little olive oil can be mixed in when the frozen basil is intended for savory cooking, but keep the mixture refrigerated or frozen rather than storing herb-and-oil mixtures at room temperature.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation provides guidance for freezing herbs, including washing, draining, packaging, and freezing methods.
Grow Basil for Repeated Harvests
Regular pinching keeps basil branching and provides more leaves to use or preserve. Sweet Italian basil is a classic culinary type for pesto, tomato dishes, and freezing.
Use Preserved Basil in Cooking
Frozen basil works especially well in sauces. Our fresh tomato sauce recipe is one easy place to use a frozen portion.
Grow More Culinary Herbs
If basil is only one part of your kitchen garden, our Italian herb garden guide covers oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, and other useful companions.