Fresh herbs can make even the simplest dish taste better, but we’ve all had that bunch of basil, rosemary, thyme, or parsley sitting in the refrigerator that we just didn’t use quickly enough. Before those herbs end up in the trash, your Kitchen Hero skills can come to the rescue!
One of the easiest ways to preserve extra fresh herbs is to freeze them with olive oil. It takes just a few minutes, helps cut down on food waste, and gives you ready to use portions of herbs and olive oil the next time you cook.
How to Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
Start by washing your herbs and allowing them to dry thoroughly. Remove any tough stems, then chop the herbs to the size you would normally use for cooking.
Divide the chopped herbs among the sections of an ice cube tray. You can use one herb in each section or create combinations you know you’ll use together. Rosemary and thyme, basil and oregano, or your own favorite blend can all work well.
Pour your favorite Olive Oil Divine olive oil over the herbs until they are covered, then place the tray in the freezer. Once the cubes are completely frozen, remove them from the tray and transfer them to a freezer safe container or bag. Label them with the herbs and date so you’ll know exactly what you have waiting for you.
Ready When You Are
When you’re ready to cook, grab a cube and add it directly to your pan, pot, or recipe as appropriate. As it warms, the olive oil melts and your herbs are ready to add flavor to your dish.
Try your herb and olive oil cubes as a flavorful start for soups and sauces, sautéed vegetables, pasta dishes, chicken, marinades, and plenty of other everyday favorites.
You can even experiment with different Olive Oil Divine olive oils to create combinations that complement the herbs and dishes you cook most often.
A few minutes today can save fresh ingredients from going to waste and make dinner a little easier down the road. That sounds like a Kitchen Hero win to us!