For long-term freezing , say longer than 2 to 3 months, blanching is highly recommended because it helps preserve the bright green color. Here is our simple guide to freezing basil leaves.
Freezing fresh basil allows you to keep it on hand for your favorite recipes all year round . To freeze basil, blanch the leaves, flash freeze them separately, then combine and freeze them long-term in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
If you don’t need to preserve individual leaves, you can also freeze basil without blanching and flash freezing it , or you can freeze basil in puréed form. Pinch or snip off each basil leaf and discard the stems.
Another common question is “Can I freeze basil oil or pesto?”.
One answer was put them in a blender or food processor and puree, adding enough extra-virgin olive oil to make a smooth, somewhat liquid paste, or simply use the blanched leaves to make your favorite pesto recipe before freezing. If you dump your oil or pesto into a big freezer container and freeze it,.
You should be thinking “Can you freeze herbs?”
One source proposed don’t just freeze basil in cubes. Mix with other herbs, spices or flavourings. An Italian mix of basil, garlic and chilli can be the perfect mix for stirring into pasta sauce. An Asian mix of lemongrass, coriander, garlic and ginger is great for curries and stir-fries. If you have frozen multiple herbs , then make sure you label each of them.
Can you pick Basil from frozen?
Pureed and Frozen If you are growing basil , then you will need to know how to harvest basil. You may begin picking basil when the plant is only 6-8 inches tall. Harvesting leaves actually encourages the plant to produce more leaves and continue growth.
You could be asking “What do you do with Basil after you pick it?”
We should dig in! after picking the basil leaves , clean them thoroughly and let them completely dry on paper towels or cheese cloth. After they’ve dried (might take an hour or so), either cut off the stems and chop the leaves into bits or leave them whole to preserve the entire basil leaf.
What size ice cubes do I need to freeze Basil?
Measure your ice cube tray to figure out how much yours holds. If you want bigger cubes, use a two-inch cube ice cube tray. Each cube will hold about a half cup of basil. It’s also a great size for freezing leftover broth, wine, and buttermilk .
What is the best way to preserve Basil?
Making butter basil is an excellent way to preserve the fresh herb. It can stay for up to two months in the fridge. For freezing, wrap the butter in wax or parchment paper, pack in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to six months. How do you preserve basil pesto?
This begs the question “How to grow fresh basil at home?”
One source proposed you can actually pick only a few leaves at a time to use as fresh basil. Cut or pinch off at the node where you see baby leaves growing out from the larger leaves and then give you basil a good drink of water. Don’ t fret by doing this, I promise this will encourage your plant to grow bushier and larger. You’ll be happy you did.
We learned dip basil leaves in colander into the boiling water for 3-5 seconds and quickly remove. Remove basil from boiling water and immediately immerse into ice bath. Using tongs (I have these) remove basil leaves from ice bath, dry well in a salad spinner and lay out in a single layer on a cookie sheet – I use this one. Freeze for 24 hours or until firm.