Wondering how to make your parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme stay fresh longer? Follow these easy tricks.
How to Store Fresh Herbs the Right Way
Updated on Oct. 07, 2024
A bright bunch of fragrant herbs is so exciting to bring home. You know you’re in for some serious flavor, whether they’re sprinkled over potatoes, paired with citrus on roast turkey breast, or stirred into dip. While we all have the best of intentions of using every last bit of these fresh herbs, sometimes we falter. Learn how to keep these garden-picked herbs fresher for longer.
How to Store Herbs the Right Way
There are a few ways you can store herbs to ensure maximum freshness.
Storing Herbs in the Fridge
After washing and trimming your herbs, place them in a glass of water, cover the top with a plastic bag and cinch it at the bottom. You can pop this in the fridge and keep for a week or more.
You can also lay a few sprigs of herbs between sheets of dry paper towel. Seal this in a plastic bag and store in the fridge. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture.
If you want to skip the plastic bags, opt for a reusable herb keeper like this one. It works similarly to the glass and plastic bag method. Just fill the very bottom with water and replenish as needed. It will keep your herbs fresh for twice as long.
Storing Fresh Herbs on the Counter
You can also store your fresh herbs right on the countertop, much the same as you’d keep fresh flowers. Trim the stems and remove the leaves at the bottom before popping in a glass of water. You can top with a plastic bag to maintin more mosture. Be sure to keep this out of direct sunlight.
Test Kitchen tip: Store fresh basil this way. It doesn’t keep as well in the cold.
Don’t Forget About Them
Check your fresh herbs each day and remove leaves that have yellowed or are darkening. Change the water in the glass daily for herbs stored at room temperature, and every other day for herbs stored in the refrigerator. Hardy herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme can last up to two weeks stored in the fridge, and more delicate herbs like cilantro, dill and mint will last about one week. On the counter, they’ll be good for seven to 10 days.
Most importantly, enjoy them! Make a batch of savory rosemary-cheddar muffins, pluck some fresh parsley in Mom’s Swedish meatballs, or use stems from herbs to add flavor to soups like dilled potato-leek soup. Fix yourself an iced melon Moroccan mint tea, then kick back and think about what you’ll make next.
Get Started With These Fresh Basil Recipes
Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp
This recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, California
Caprese SaladA Caprese salad is the tastiest way to make use of all those tomatoes and basil that seem to multiply in your garden overnight. Just add fresh mozzarella and a homemade vinaigrette, and you're set!
Bella Basil Raspberry TeaGive iced tea a grown-up twist. Fragrant basil lends flavor and the raspberries give it a bright red color. Tou’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience! —Laurie Bock Lynden, Washington
Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast StrataI'd never tried prosciutto before this recipe, and it instantly made me a die-hard fan! The layers of flavor in this dish are brilliant, making it well worth the time and a must for your recipe box. Leftover pesto? Use it up in these recipes using pesto. —Vicki Anderson, Farmington, Minnesota
Mango Chicken Thighs with Basil-Coconut SauceThis recipe brings the restaurant to my home kitchen. And it’s easy, too! The meal comes together quickly and fills my kitchen with wonderful aromas. If there are any leftovers, they're just as good reheated the next day. —Kathi Jones-DelMonte, Rochester, New York
Peanut Butter, Chicken and Basil SandwichStay with me, here. These classic Thai flavors work on so much more than noodles...try 'em on a sandwich and you won't be disappointed. —James Schend, Dairy Freed. Looking for more recipes? Learn how to make Thai basil chicken.
Sue’s Spicy Tomato Basil TortelliniA friend remarked about a similar baked tortellini dish at a restaurant, so I wanted to try re-creating it for her at home. My stovetop version makes it weeknight easy. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Basil Tomato TartI received this tomato tart recipe from a good friend of mine. It's a fun way to use up fresh tomatoes from the garden, and it reminds me a lot of pizza.—Connie Stumpf, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Shrimp Pesto PastaGarden-fresh basil and plump shrimp combine for a shrimp pesto pasta bursting with alfresco vibes.
Nectarine, Basil and Clementine Infused WaterNectarine and basil may sound a little strange, but trust us, this combination is a real winner. A few slices of clementine seal the deal. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Grilled BruschettaThis is my go-to appetizer in the summer when tomatoes and basil are fresh from the garden. The balsamic glaze takes this bruschetta recipe over the top. I like to use a Tuscan herb- or basil-infused olive oil for this. But, it's great with just plain olive oil, too. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Meat Lover's Pizza Rice SkilletFor a quick dinner, I threw this together from what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza toppings you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. My son loves this and calls it pizza rice. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
BLT Quinoa BowlsI absolutely love a BLT with sliced avocado and an egg. Recently, I've been trying out grain bowls, and I thought the flavors of my favorite sandwich would work really well. My family agreed! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Italian Cloud EggsDrop egg yolks on nests of whipped Italian-seasoned egg whites, then bake in a cast-iron skillet. Dreamy!—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Chicken Pesto MeatballsThese tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They're short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
Grilled Basil ChickenThis cinch of a marinade gives the chicken lots of Italian flavor. Serve the chicken with a tossed green salad and garlic breadsticks, or put slices on a ciabatta roll along with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella cheese for a zesty handheld meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Orzo with Parmesan & BasilDried basil adds its rich herb flavor to this creamy and delicious skillet side dish that's table-ready in just minutes! —Anna Chaney, Antigo, Wisconsin
Marinated TomatoesIn just about 10 minutes, you can prepare these tasty marinated tomatoes, a quick, light and family-friendly recipe.
Shrimp Pasta PrimaveraThis no-stress shrimp pasta primavera highlights the flavors of spring with the freshest seasonal veggies. It's a weeknight-friendly meal that'll get you fed quickly, so you can go out and enjoy the warm weather.
Grilled Basil Chicken and TomatoesRelax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Caprese Pasta SaladWhen life hands you tomatoes, make... Caprese pasta salad. It captures the flavors of the classic Italian salad in a more durable form, perfect for taking to block parties and barbecues.
Lemon Basil SalmonMy husband came up with this easy, foil-packet recipe for flaky, fork-tender salmon. This recipe is a winner. —Marianne Bauman Modesto, CA
Lemon Chicken OrzoLemon chicken orzo is a one-pot wonder. It's easy enough to make for a weeknight meal, but fancy enough to serve for guests. Customize it with different pasta shapes and your favorite vegetables.
Caprese SkewersLight, satisfying and healthful in one impossibly easy-to-make dish? Yes, please! Enjoy these Caprese skewers as an app, side dish—truly perfect paired with grilled meat or poultry—or a convenient snack. Every bite is a little taste of summer.
Basil-Tomato Grilled CheeseThe tastes of summer abound in this easy Italian-style grilled cheese sandwich. Not only is it delicious, it's super-fast, so you can get back to those summer outdoor activities. —Sylvia Schmitt, Sun City, Arizona
Tomato FocacciaTomato focaccia bread is a fantastic side for all sorts of dishes, such as roasted chicken, pork chops, sea bass, and more. It's also fantastic on its own or topped with a fried egg.
Peach-Basil Lemonade SlushThis chilly slush with peaches, lemon juice and garden-fresh basil is hands-down the best lemonade ever. It tastes just like summer. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Eggplant ParmesanWe really like eggplant and would rather have it baked than fried. This can be served as a side or a main dish. —Donna Wardlow-Keating, Omaha, Nebraska
Tomato SoupIf you're looking for the best tomato soup recipe, you've found it! Bursting with bright tomato flavor, this easy-to-make soup is the perfect partner for a gooey grilled cheese.
Chicken CapreseIf you can pan-fry a chicken breast, you can upgrade to chicken Caprese with ease. It’s a quick, flavorful weeknight recipe with a pleasant combination of sweet, sour and salty.
Parsley PestoHomemade pesto always makes a thoughtful hostess gift. Mix things up with this parsley pesto variation. It's delicious served with pasta or in one of these recipes using pesto. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Baked SpaghettiThis baked spaghetti is one of our top-rated pasta recipes ever (and we have lots of pasta recipes). It may be the rich trio of cheeses or the bubbling brown top, but we suspect the real reason is that it's just so easy to make.
Over-the-Rainbow MinestroneThis vegetarian soup features a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Feta Tomato-Basil FishI rely on my husband for the main ingredient in this fuss-free dish. He fills our freezer after his summer fishing trip. —Alicia Szeszol, Lindenhurst, Illinois
Balsamic ChickenTangy, juicy and delicious balsamic chicken is what's for dinner.
Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted PotatoesA few ingredients and 30 minutes are all you need for this incredibly satisfying meal. A simple basil butter gives these steaks a very special flavor. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Apricots with Herbed Goat CheeseAfter ending up with bunches of apricots one summer, I created this quick and simple dish. My friends were blown away with its fresh taste and uniqueness. —Wendy Weidner, Ham Lake, Minnesota
Basil Citrus CocktailFruity, fantastic and lighter in calories! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken Florentine CasseroleCreamy and comforting, this chicken and spinach bake is sure to be a hit at dinnertime. The toasty bread crumb topping delivers a bit of a crunch. —Dori Jackson, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil DressingA slightly savory dressing really complements the sweet fruit in this recipe. I also use the dressing on salad greens. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Spicy Shrimp Orzo with Lemon and BasilThis shrimp pasta is made in just one pot. Creating a broth with the shrimp shells is an extra step, but it's totally worth it for a flavorful final dish. The lemon adds a brightness that pairs well with fresh basil. —Ed Spangler, Timberlake, North Carolina
Basil Chicken with Smoked Tomato JamI grow my own herbs and veggies in the summer, and when they are at peak, I incorporate them into my recipes. This is one I developed using fresh basil, parsley and tomatoes when they were at their best and ripest. —Sheryl Little, Cabot, Arkansas
Peach Mango Caprese SaladSummer in the Midwest offers a bounty of fresh produce. I wanted to come up with a new recipe for the harvested goods, and this bright, flavorful salad is the refreshing end result. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois
Pine Nut and Basil GuacamoleGuacamole is typically a Mexican dish, but that doesn’t mean you can't try to make it with other global flavors. For an Italian-inspired basil guacamole recipe, top it off with toasted pine nuts and fresh herb ribbons. You can also substitute the traditional lime for lemon juice.—Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Cinnamon-Basil Ice CreamI started experimenting with herbal ice creams when I was teaching classes at our local college. Not only were the ice creams popular with my students, but my family loved them as well! One of our favorites is made with a variety of basil called cinnamon basil; however, unless you grow the variety yourself, it can be rather difficult to find. I decided to try to re-create the flavor, and this delicious basil ice cream recipe is the result! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Basil Chicken Spirals with Mango SalsaI love this recipe! It is one of my favorites to wow a crowd. Most of its wow factor comes from all the fresh ingredients. I always pick up fresh herbs, garlic, cucumbers, and hot peppers—as well as honey and onions when I can— at my local farmers market. All those ingredients give this dish a punch of flavor. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Honeydew & Prosciutto SaladFor parties, I turn melon and prosciutto into an easy salad with a honey mustard dressing. To add zip, stir in fresh basil and mint. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Eggplant SandwichThis eggplant sandwich with tomato and goat cheese is grilled to perfection and layered on a crusty ciabatta roll for a delicious meatless meal.
