What is the best way to preserve fresh basil?

Question

I've grown a lot of basil in my herb garden; now I need to harvest it. Can it be preserved after harvesting? Can I freeze the leaves?

Answer 1

Ziploc and freeze

Answer 2

One thing you can do is make Pesto sauce (Basil, Garlic, Oil and Pignoli Nuts, in a blender) and freeze it in an ice cube tray. Then when you make pasta, just take a cube or two out and toss it in with your hot pasta. YUM!!

Also, Basil is best harvested by cutting the whole plant off at the base. Picking it leaf by leaf is not the way to go.

Answer 3

If you wish to keep some fresh basil aside, gently wash leaves and place in a zip lock bag with a dampend paper towel and seal. I would suggest hanging the rest to air dry then crumble into left over spice jars or tight fitting container. I wouldn't freeze it.

Answer 4

You can freeze it in zip loc freezer bags in small quantities but it does turn to mush but is still edible. You can also chop it and put it in olive oil and freeze that or keep in fridge for several weeks. You can also make pesto in a blender and freeze that or keep in fridge for several weeks.
Pesto: fresh basil, fresh garlic, olive oil, walnuts or pine nuts and salt. Put in blender and make a paste.
I have the same problem and I am giving it away as well.

Answer 5

Basil is not known to freeze very well. How about up rooting some and repotting it and giving it to friends. Or make a load of nice sauces that require basil and freeze them

Answer 6

I certainly have been making pesto without the pine nuts or the cheese - in simple terms basil and oil, salt and slightly lemon (garlic if needed). freeze it in small jam jars and then i can decide regardless of if to make genuine pesto, or in simple terms to apply it in cooking. I dry it interior the sunlight, yet you additionally can dry it on paper towels in a convection oven. I additionally deliver it interior whilst the nights get cool and many times can save it till finally Thanksgiving... (having clean basil)

Answer 7

Bag it an freeze it. Chop off what you need without letting it defrost and you should be able to use it over the winter. You can also tie it in bunches and hang it in a warm dry room to dry.

Answer 8

I agree with drying it. And you have to be quick about it. I mean the drying process. This way, you can seal in the freshness of the leaves. Then keep in air-tight container.

Answer 9

freeze it in paper towels then put it in parchment paper then in a freezer proof zip lock bag. make sure you put the date on the bag. It will keep for 6-9 months

Answer 10

i freeze it but dehidrating is a better long term method
also try making a pesto
basil fresh garlic and olive oil freze what you dont have an imediate use for