How to Store Fresh Herbs So They Last Longer

You buy a bunch of fresh herbs for one recipe, use a little, and a few days later the rest has turned brown and slimy in the fridge. Here's how to make them last much longer.

For Soft Herbs Like Parsley, Cilantro, and Mint

Treat them like flowers. Trim the ends slightly, place them stem-down in a jar or glass with a little water, and loosely cover the leaves with a plastic bag. Keep the jar in the fridge and change the water every couple of days. Stored this way, these herbs can easily last one to two weeks.

For Hardier Herbs Like Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage

These don't need water. Instead, wrap them loosely in a slightly damp paper towel and place them in a bag or container in the fridge. They'll keep well for a week or more.

For Basil

Basil doesn't like the cold. Keep it in a jar of water on the counter, just like flowers, rather than in the fridge. Cold temperatures turn basil leaves black and slimy faster than almost any other herb.

Got Too Much and Won't Use It in Time?

Chop the extra herbs, place them in an ice cube tray, cover with a little olive oil or water, and freeze. Pop a cube into a pan whenever you're cooking and need a quick boost of flavour.

A little bit of storage know-how goes a long way toward not wasting money on herbs you end up throwing away.