Trim the cut ends, put the bunch in a glass, jar, or vase of water that will fit in the fridge, and cover the whole thing, or at least the basil leaves, with a plastic bag. Put the whole in in a refrigerator. Basil kept that way will stay vibrant and green for up to a week.
Here is what we found. To keep basil fresh, trim the stems and place them in a glass or jar of water, just like cut flowers. Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and leave it on the counter. Although certain herbs, such as parsley and cilantro, can be stored this way in the fridge, basil does better at room temperature. Refrigeration can turn the leaves black .
One more question we ran across in our research was “Does Basil go bad if not refrigerated?”.
Oh, if you’re not using your basil over a few days, it’s a good idea to take it out of the refrigerator and take off its ‘ventilator’ bag for an hour or so. This will evaporate any condensation on the leaves that can accelerate spoilage .
How long does Basil last in the fridge?
Fresh basil will last one to two weeks when stored this way. Another popular method for storing basil is the plastic bag method (it sounds far less exciting than “basil bouquet,” I know). If you prefer to keep your basil stored in the fridge like salad greens, this method protects it from the harsh elements.
You may be asking “How long does Basil last in a plastic bag?”
Exposed basil doesn’t do well in the cold. Once you’re ready to enjoy, wash and dry the leaves. Fresh basil will last one to two weeks when stored this way. Another popular method for storing basil is the plastic bag method (it sounds far less exciting than “basil bouquet,” I know).
Can you freeze fresh basil paste?
If you don’t plan to use your basil within one to two weeks, there are two methods for long term preservation: freezing and drying. Because basil isn’t as hardy as herbs like rosemary or mint, it does best when frozen as a paste.
Is fresh basil raw or cooked?
Raw or cooked , fresh basil adds its own distinct, beloved flavor to any number of dishes. It’s one of those herbs that home cooks turn to so often that many have found it more convenient to grow their own so they always have a supply on hand.
One source stated that while dried basil takes time to soak up liquids and release its flavor, fresh basil leaves will simply wilt and lose their potency if cooked too long. With soups, stews, sauces and sautees, add the fresh basil in the last stages to add a final fillip of flavor—don’t count on it to be the base that other flavors build upon.
Our chosen answer was trim the leaves from the bottom of the stems and place the basil in a glass of water, much like you would flowers. Then just leave it on your countertop, out of direct sun, for a fragrant and pretty bouquet that’s ready whenever you need to add a leaf to your dish.
Some articles claimed cut the leaves and put them shortly in cold water to refresh. Let the leaves dry Chop the basil up Mix the basil with olive oil Freeze basil mixed with oils as ice cubes 🙂 Lasts for ages like this and the leaves don’t get brown because of the oils protecting the basil . Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 6 ’13 at 21:27.
How to dry Basil in the oven?
Here’s how: 1 Wash and thoroughly dry the basil. Remove the stems. 2 Set your oven to 200 degrees F, or the lowest temperature. Add the basil to a parchment-lined baking sheet on the upper rack of the oven. 3 Allow the basil to cool completely, crumble, and store in an airtight container for up to a year .