Today’s how-to is all about preserving garden herbs for winter. Did you know that was a thing? If only my teenage self could see me now. She’d be horrified that I not only keep a garden, but take extra steps to preserve my herbs for the Winter. It’s all good, teenage Allison, chill out.
Learning how-to preserve your herbs to use in the cold months of the year is a thing, and it’s a super easy thing at that. Also, tasting *fresh* garden herbs in the depths of frozen Winter? I don’t want to go Martha on you, but it’s a good and lovely thing, a very wonderful thing, so let’s get to it.
I planted a lot of herbs in my Summer garden this year, and had rosemary and basil coming out my nose so I’m grateful there’s a way to preserve that business. (although don’t try to preserve basil, it’s a wimpy plant for the freezer) Let’s get started, shall we?
How-To Preserve Garden Herbs For Winter
Items needed:
- chopping knife
- cutting board
- fresh rosemary
- ice cube trays
- extra virgin olive oil
- Saran-Wrap
- freezer
Step 1:
Pick rosemary from your garden. Or from the grocery store shelves.
Step 2:
Wash rosemary really well, towel dry on a dish towel.
Step 3:
Separate rosemary leaves from plant stalks
Step 4:
Using a large chopping knife, chop rosemary finely
Step 5:
Fill ice cube tray with chopped rosemary. Fill at least 3/4 of each individual cube.
Step 6:
Pour olive oil into each cube until rosemary is completely submerged
Step 7:
Tightly cover ice cube tray with Saran Wrap
Step 8:
Place ice cube tray in freezer on a flat surface
Step 9:
Et voilà! Frozen rosemary cubes.
Step 10:
Very carefully remove the cubes from the ice cube tray + place in a Zip-Lock bag to keep airtight in the freezer until ready for use. I used a small paring knife to remove mine. They melt while you’re working so do it fast.
Can you believe you now know how-to preserve those delicious summer herbs? You should be very proud of your homemaker-y skills. Let’s make that with a ‘z’, homemaking SKILLZ, yo, you’ve got them.
When you’re ready to use the rosemary for cooking, pop a couple cubes of herbs into a pan and simmer on low heat until frozen olive oil is melted in pan. I made the most delicious rosemary chicken just like this, using frozen garden herbs and it may have been the most delicious chicken I’ve ever made. I’m just saying.
Go forth and preserve! You have no excuse now that you have the how-to bookmarked and ready to go.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
