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Can You Freeze Basil?

You CAN freeze basil.

Not only can you freeze basil, it is arguably the best method to preserve the herb for long-term storage when considering freshness. Basil freezes well and produces an end product as close to fresh basil as possible when preserving the herb. 

Harvesting Basil

Don't wait until the end of the season to decide to preserve your basil. For optimal results, harvest and freeze basil at its peak of freshness, which is prior to the plant flowering. Cut just above a set of leaves to promote continued growth throughout the season.

Freezing Basil

Inspect your basil and remove any dead or injured leaves. Wash the basil to remove any dirt and debris prior to freezing. You can freeze the entire plant and cut as needed or chop and freeze.

Freezing whole: Lay your basil sprigs on a cookie sheet in a single file and freeze. Once fully frozen, the sprigs can be transferred to a plastic storage bag and frozen.

Freezing chopped: You can measure out individual serving size portions of basil and freeze them in individual ice cube trays. Simple measure out a quantity of basil per cube compartment, cover with water, and freeze. This method works especially well when using in soups and sauces.

Roughly, one tablespoon of the fresh herb will equal one teaspoon of the dried.