Tuesday, August 13, 2013

How to Preserve Basil in Olive Oil

Somewhere online (maybe on Pinterest), I read that you can preserve herbs in oil.  It was one of those "Aha/Duh" moments because it was so simple!

Freshly harvested basil
So, last year we attempted this trick for the first time and it worked perfectly!  This year, with an abundance of basil on hand, we've already begun the process of harvesting, chopping, pouring and freezing.

Chopped basil

Chopped basil soaked in olive oil

Frozen basil in olive oil

Each cube contains:
  • 1 TBSP roughly chopped basil
  • 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

Once it's all solidified in the freezer, I simply pop them out of the ice cube trays, place them in a labelled zip lock bag and put them back the freezer.

By the end of the summer this bag will be full (it's gallon sized) and we'll be all set for countless basil inspired meals throughout the cooler months.

All bagged up, labelled and ready to go back in the freezer!

Now, to date, I've only attempted this trick with basil, but I'm guessing it could be done with other herbs as well.  Have you ever frozen basil in olive oil?  Have you attempted to freeze any other herbs in live oil?  What's your favorite way to preserve your herbs? Please share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

xoxo,
M

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13 comments:

  1. Kueche und GartenAugust 14, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    This is so timely, I just thought today about doing this. I have done this with other herbs, NOT with basil. So yes, it does work with other herbs very well. Dill I actually freeze the same way with boiled water, not oil. There are many recipes were I use dill with out oil, so I like that too.

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    Replies
    1. Bee GirlAugust 17, 2013 at 9:53 AM

      Ooohhh...I had not thought of freezing dill in water before! Do you have a ratio that you've found works best for you? And why the boiled water? So exciting!

      Delete
  2. UnknownAugust 20, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    LUV LUV your Blog!
    Which of the two methods would you suggest to be used for sage? My family enjoys this herb so much with pork and butter sage dishes and this year our garden has an over abundance of it.

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    Replies
    1. Bee GirlAugust 21, 2013 at 5:43 PM

      I prefer to dry my sage and use it as a rub! I, too, love sage...it always feels like such a rich herb to me :-)

      Delete
  3. UnknownAugust 21, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    This is a great tip! Think I might have to harvest some basil this weekend just to try it out. Followed you from Mostly Homemade Monday.
    Love for you to come by Wildcrafting Wednesday and share.
    http://www.herbanmomma.com/2013/08/wildcrafting-wednesday-8-21-13/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bee GirlAugust 21, 2013 at 6:27 AM

      Thanks for the invite! I just hopped over and linked up :-) Hope you're having a great week!

      Delete
  4. AmyGAugust 23, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    This is great! I do have bushels of basil and plan to make pesto, but freezing it in oil seems like a brilliant idea, too. Thank you very much!

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  5. Sue FrelickAugust 23, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Great idea! I do a similar thing with garlic scapes in the food processer with oil and then freeze. Visiting today from the Home Acre Hop. :-)

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  6. DianeAugust 25, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    I got a big bunch of basil yesterday and tried this. All the basil floated to the top of the oil. Mine wouldn't pop out. I had to pry them out with a knife, but they did pop out fairly easy. Maybe I needed to cut in smaller pieces? Don't know. I'm gonna freeze some in water for tomato basil soup. Tried this before and it worked well. Just seemed to take forever to thaw! I did put it in a big plastic container though. My bad.

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    Replies
    1. Bee GirlAugust 27, 2013 at 4:56 AM

      Interesting. I definitely chop mine up...not too fine, but fairly small. Then I simply pour the olive oil over the top. If any basil floats to the top, I just push it down with a butter knife before sticking it in the freezer. Not sure why they wouldn't pop out of the ice trays, though...I've never had a problem there :-( I hope you figure out how to make it work, it's such a great way to save your basil for later :-)

      Delete
  7. UnknownAugust 27, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    Great post!! I have tons of basil and thought about drying it, but this seems so much easier!! Thanks for sharing over at the Homeacre Hop! We hope you join us again soon!
    Mary :)
    www.homegrownonthehill.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousAugust 28, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    I just wanted to stop by and let you know that your post will be featured at Thursday's The HomeAcre Hop. I will also tweet, facebook, and +1 your post. Please stop by and grab the featured button at:

    http://summersacres.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-homeacre-hop-34.html

    Congrats!
    ~Ann

    ReplyDelete
  9. Allison Thomas, Personal Pet Care AssistantSeptember 3, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

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