Should you refrigerate fresh basil?
Fresh basil should not be refrigerated, but kept in a cool place, preferably with stems in fresh water, out of the sunlight. Use within a week or so. The chef probably just had it in there for convenience, but it does send the wrong message!
How long does fresh basil last in the fridge?
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Can You preserve fresh basil?
Toss in a basil cube. This is one of my favorite ways to preserve basil or any other fresh herbs. Cut basil leaves in the food processor and drizzle in enough olive oil to form a paste. Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray, freeze, and store the delicious flavor cubes in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag.
How to store fresh basil?
To store fresh basil that you plan on cooking with soon, just rest it in a glass of water so the stems are submerged and set it somewhere away from direct sunlight. If you want to store fresh basil for longer, start by pulling all of the leaves off the stems. Then, dry the leaves completely and spread them out on a baking sheet or tray.
Why should you not refrigerate basil?
Should you refrigerate fresh basil? No, refrigerating fresh basil is not recommended, as it can cause the leaves to turn black.
How do you store fresh basil leaves?
How to Store Fresh BasilCut: Cut your basil about half an inch from the bottom of the stems. ... Fill: Fill the jar you are using to hold the basil with enough cold water to cover the stems by about an inch. ... Store: Loosely cover the top of your basil leaves with a GLAD Food Storage Zipper Quart Bag to help keep it fresh.
Can you leave basil at room temperature?
Leave the basil bouquet out at room temperature, replacing the water every few days. Whatever you do, don't refrigerate it. Exposed basil doesn't do well in the cold. Once you're ready to enjoy, wash and dry the leaves.
How long will basil last in the fridge?
How long does basil stay fresh in the fridge? This depends on how you store it. It will last up to 2 days when wrapped in a paper towel and put in a plastic bag. If you cover the leaves with olive oil, they can last up to 2 months.
How do you keep basil fresh in the fridge?
If you have to, you can store your basil in a plastic bag, just as it is, in the fridge, for a few hours.
Do basil leaves go bad?
When properly stored, fresh basil can last up to 10 days. However, when you preserve it, you can keep it for much longer. What is this? Even though well preserved basil doesn't really go bad, it will start to lose its flavor over time.
How do you know when basil goes bad?
Some common traits of bad fresh basil are discoloration, a moist texture and a rotten smell. Basil will first become limp and then the green leaves turn black. Dried basil that is going bad will change color from dark green to brown as it looses its natural oils with age.
Is wilted basil still good?
If it is only just a bit limp but not completely dry or black, it can be rescued with a very simple trick! Just submerge the wilted basil in cold (not too cold) clean water and wait. The water has to be clean, because the basil will take on any bad smells or tastes from the water.
How to store basil in the fridge?
If you prefer to keep your basil stored in the fridge like salad greens, this method protects it from the harsh elements. Go ahead and remove the leaves from the stems.
How long can you keep basil leaves in a plastic bag?
Wrap the basil leaves in a dry paper towel and place inside a plastic bag. Seal and store for one to two weeks . Fresh basil on paper. Credit: Carson Downing/Meredith.
How to make a basil bouquet?
Place basil in a jar filled with a few inches of water. Loosely cover the tops of the basil with a plastic bag (unfortunately, your basil bouquet won't make a beautiful centerpiece). A thin, produce bag works great for this. Leave the basil bouquet out at room temperature , replacing the water every few days.
How long to cook basil in oven?
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. Bake for two to four hours, or until dry and crumbly. Allow the basil to cool completely, crumble, and store in an airtight container for up to a year .
How to dry basil for freshness?
Here's how: Wash and thoroughly dry the basil. Remove the stems. Set your oven to 200 degrees F, or the lowest temperature.
How long does basil last in a food processor?
To use frozen basil, add it to hot dishes straight from frozen, or thaw and drain before adding to cold dishes. Frozen basil will last for up to three months .
How to dry basil?
You never know how long store-bought dried basil has been sitting on the shelf, so drying your own is going to be the fresher (and cheaper) option. 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. Bake for two to four hours, or until dry and crumbly. 3 Allow the basil to cool completely, crumble, and store in an airtight container for up to a year .
How to keep basil from turning black?
Water spots on the leaves will turn them black. Fold a barely misted paper towel in a zip bag and place the basil in between the fold of the paper towel and remove as much air as possible and place in the fridge/crisper drawer. If you don't put them in the fridge you'll have dried basil in a day or two.
Can fresh basil be refrigerated?
In my meanderings around the internet, it seems the consensus is that fresh basil should be refrigerated, but there ARE a few renegades out there who agree with me: <click here> to read from Farmer John's Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Vegetables where he says that "basil is a warm weather crop and is very sensitive to cold temperatures. Do not refrigerate fresh basil; it will turn black very quickly." He then gives directions for storing on the kitchen counter.
Various Ways to Freeze Basil
Freezing is always an easy, go-to method to preserve almost any kind of food at home, including the bountiful basil leaves.
Thawing and Using Frozen Basil
Frozen basil leaves are very convenient to work with. When it comes to thawing, simply leave them on the counter while you are preparing other ingredients.
How Long Can You Freeze Basil?
Basil leaves are best to use within 4 to 6 months after freezing for their best flavor. But, they are generally fine to keep up to 12 months. It is possible to stretch the storage time a little longer. But, prolonged freezing is more prone to freezer burn and a decrease in flavor.
How to keep basil fresh at room temperature?
Basil will keep better at room temperature. 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.
How to store basil?
One of the most effective ways to store fresh herbs and keep them fresher longer is to put them in a glass of water, then in a plastic bag, and put the whole thing in the fridge. Not basil, however! Basil will keep better at room temperature.
What is the mistake of using dried basil instead of fresh basil?
Mistake #2: You’re not using enough basil. If you’re substituting fresh basil for dried, adding it too soon is only one possible misstep—the other is not using enough. Drying concentrates the flavor of the herb, so you need less of it to produce the same flavor.
How to use fresh basil leaves?
One option is to cut them fine and stir them into rice or couscous along with some butter and a little bit of salt.
What is the most common type of basil?
One of the most common types of basil is sweet basil. It’s so common that it’s usually just labeled as basil. This is what you’ll usually find at the grocery stores. If a recipe simply calls for “basil,” sweet basil is the way to go.
Which is stronger, Thai basil or cinnamon basil?
Thai basil is stronger, with an anise flavor, while lemon and cinnamon basil are aptly named for the flavors they bring to the table. These varieties are growing in popularity, although more at farmer’s markets and for home garden growing.
How to harvest leaves from a plant?
Start picking leaves early, and keep picking them! The best approach is to harvest a few leaves from each plant, rather than cutting off an entire stem from a single plant. If you need to harvest a larger amount—say, for a tasty pesto —work from the top down, cutting about a third of the plant’s height.
