{"id":1468661,"date":"2020-05-20T08:40:04","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T13:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1468661"},"modified":"2024-10-01T04:01:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T09:01:04","slug":"how-long-do-fresh-herbs-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-long-do-fresh-herbs-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Fresh Herbs Last in the Fridge?"},"content":{"rendered":"
We've all been there: You grab a bag of fresh herbs on your weekend grocery run and by Wednesday, they're wilted and lifeless. Suddenly those tasty tacos<\/a> you were so looking forward to have lost their flavor spark without the fresh cilantro.<\/p>\r\n Fresh herbs add bright flavors and vibrant colors to our favorite dishes. The only problem? They often don't last as long as we need them. Here are a few ways to help your herbs last longer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n During your weekly meal planning time, decide which days you'll be cooking with fresh herbs<\/a> so that you can take advantage of their peak freshness. Once you arrive home from the grocery store, immediately remove your fresh herbs from their plastic container and place them in a jar of water. Cover the jar with a plastic bag and cinch the bottom with a rubber band. Make sure to change the water every few days. This method can keep herbs fresh anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the herb. (For more details, check out this guide on how to store herbs<\/a> the right way.)<\/p>\r\n If you know someone in your house is bound to knock over that jar of water, place your fresh herbs in a plastic bag between sheets of dry paper towel. The paper towels will absorb extra moisture, preventing premature wilting.<\/p>\r\n Fresh herbs can also be kept in a jar of water on your kitchen counter. Think of them as flowers and trim the ends before placing them in your vase. This countertop method is perfect for more delicate herbs like fresh basil<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n By storing your fresh herbs in water, you can extend their freshness by weeks. More delicate herbs like basil and cilantro can be kept for about 1 week but heartier herbs like rosemary and oregano may last up to 3 weeks.<\/p>\r\nHow to Store Fresh Herbs<\/h3>\r\n
How Long Do Fresh Herbs Last in the Fridge?<\/h3>\r\n
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<\/a><\/div>Herbed Feta Dip<\/a>Guests can\u2019t get enough of this thick, zesty dip that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavor. The feta cheese and fresh mint complement each other beautifully, creating the perfect sidekick for crunchy carrots, toasted pita chips, sliced baguettes or any other dipper you fancy.\u2014Rebecca Ray, Chicago, Illinois \r\n
<\/a><\/div>Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Butter<\/a>The spicy heat of the chicken pairs beautifully with the flavorful cilantro butter in this original recipe from Diane Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas. We added spicy chocolate cinnamon cane sugar to the chicken, which complemented the other spices that are brushed over the chicken before grilling. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Frozen Strawberry-Basil Margarita<\/a>Fresh, fruity and oh, so cool, this strawberry-basil margarita may be the perfect summer cocktail. \u2014James Schend, Taste Recipes<\/i> Deputy Editor
<\/a><\/div>Rosemary Focaccia<\/a>The savory aroma of rosemary in this classic bread is simply irresistible. This rosemary focaccia bread tastes great as a side dish with any meal, as a snack or as a pizza crust.
<\/a><\/div>Creamy Chive Rings<\/a>When I brought this savory ring to an extension luncheon, club members\r\nlet me know how much they enjoyed it. Next meeting I had to bring copies of the recipe for everyone there! \u2014Pamela Schlickbernd West Point, Nebraska
<\/a><\/div>Rosemary Salmon<\/a>This rosemary salmon is a favorite, thanks to the savory herb that adds unbelievable flavor to the fish as it bakes. Cooked with asparagus and red peppers, it's a healthy and quick dinner option that pulls in rave reviews too.
<\/a><\/div>Orange Blossom Mint Refresher<\/a>I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This version has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness, and the orange blossom water gives the tea a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. \u2014Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
<\/a><\/div>Pine Nut and Basil Guacamole<\/a>Guacamole is typically a Mexican dish, but that doesn\u2019t 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.\u2014Taste Recipes<\/i> Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Cauliflower Dill Kugel<\/a>I enjoy cauliflower and kugel, so it made sense to combine the two into one special dish. The ricotta cheese adds a distinctive creaminess and lightness. \u2014Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
<\/a><\/div>Cinnamon-Basil Ice Cream<\/a>I 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
<\/a><\/div>Chicken and Broccoli with Dill Sauce<\/a>I've had this chicken and broccoli recipe for so many years, I don't remember when I first made it. Serve it with a side of couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add some sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies. \u2014Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
<\/a><\/div>Cheesy Mashed Potatoes<\/a>Forget everything else you know about mashed potatoes. These creamy, rich, cheesy mashed potatoes are the ultimate decadent side dish for get-togethers and gatherings.
<\/a><\/div>Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread<\/a>I received this recipe as part of a gift, along with a lemon thyme plant and a fresh loaf of this pound cake-like bread. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. \u2014Jeannette Mango, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania\r\n
<\/a><\/div>Rosemary Beef Roast over Cheesy Polenta<\/a>I love beef roast in the slow cooker, and it's fun to pair it with something a little different than potatoes! This is true comfort food. \u2014Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
<\/a><\/div>Syrian Green Beans with Fresh Herbs<\/a>This is how my mom always made green beans. She got the recipe from a neighbor when we lived in Turkey. Make a double batch as they make an excellent healthy snack straight from the fridge. Add a thinly sliced onion and red bell pepper if you like. \u2014Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
<\/a><\/div>Golden Beet and Peach Soup with Tarragon<\/a>One summer we had a bumper crop of peaches from our two trees, so I had fun experimenting with different recipes. After seeing a beet soup recipe in a cookbook, I changed it a bit to include our homegrown golden beets and sweet peaches. \u2014Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
<\/a><\/div>Rosemary and Ginger Infused Water<\/a>Aromatic and slightly spicy, this infused water is great for winter holidays and celebrations. \u2014James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
<\/a><\/div>Basil Chicken Sandwiches<\/a>I got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home. My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch. \u2014Kerry Durgin Krebs, New Market, Maryland
<\/a><\/div>Roasted Asparagus With Thyme<\/a>This is good-for-you spring-time side dish is so easy to prepare, yet the simply seasoned spears look appealing enough to serve guests or take to carry-in dinner. \u2014Sharon Leno, Keansburg, New Jersey
<\/a><\/div>Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad<\/a>This is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests\u2014or yourself\u2014by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. \u2014Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
<\/a><\/div>Shrimp Lime Cilantro Skewers<\/a>Grilled shrimp lime cilantro skewers are beginner-friendly and bursting with the fresh, zippy flavors of cilantro, jalapeno and citrus.
<\/a><\/div>Dilly Cheese Ball<\/a>My whole family devours this herby cheese spread\u2014even my son, the chef. Serve it with your favorite crackers. \u2014Jane Vince, London, Ontario
<\/a><\/div>Green Beans and Radish Salad with Tarragon Pesto<\/a>Whichever way my garden grows, I usually build my salad with green beans, radishes and a pesto made with tarragon. That adds a hint of licorice. \u2014Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
<\/a><\/div>Peach-Basil Lemonade Slush<\/a>This chilly slush with peaches, lemon juice and garden-fresh basil is hands-down the best lemonade ever. It tastes just like summer. \u2014Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
<\/a><\/div>Honey-Thyme Butter<\/a>Laced with honey and fresh thyme, this butter is perfect for either sweet or savory dishes. It's amazing on bread and rolls fresh out of the oven but equally as good on a stack of blueberry pancakes. \u2014Taste Recipes <\/I>Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Thai Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing<\/a>I created this salad to replicate one I tried on a cruise several years ago. It goes over very well at family gatherings and potlucks year-round. We love the spice of the Thai chile, but if your family isn't into spice, feel free to leave it out. It will still be delicious! —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
<\/a><\/div>Pineapple and Mint Infused Water<\/a>This pineapple and mint water is like a tropical cocktail but without the sticky-sweet taste. \u2014James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
<\/a><\/div>Salmon Dill Soup<\/a>This is the best soup I have ever made, according to my husband, who loves salmon so much that he could eat it every day. It's a treat for both of us, so when I get some, I try to make it a very special dish like this one. \u2014Hidemi Walsh, Plainfield, Indiana
<\/a><\/div>Apricots with Herbed Goat Cheese<\/a>After 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. \u2014Wendy Weidner, Ham Lake, Minnesota
<\/a><\/div>Brussels Sprouts in Rosemary Cream Sauce<\/a>Brussels sprouts in a rosemary-infused cream sauce have the power to bring friends together \u2013 but watch out for fights over who gets the last of the sauce. \u2014Liz Koschoreck, Berea, Kentucky
<\/a><\/div>Strawberry Tarragon Chicken Salad<\/a>After thinking about creating this salad for some time, one spring I used my homegrown strawberries and fresh tarragon to do a little experimenting. It didn't take me very long to come up with a winner! My husband enjoyed my creation as much as I did, and now we can't wait for strawberry season to come around each year. \u2014Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
<\/a><\/div>Herby Pea Salad<\/a>We love spring vegetables. One Mother's Day I came up with this flavorful green salad that everyone enjoyed. You could increase the dressing and mix in some cooked small pasta, like acini de pepe, to make it a more robust salad. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
<\/a><\/div>Cilantro-Lime Chicken<\/a>A bright cilantro-lime chicken marinade soaks bone-in chicken thighs in flavor before they're slow-cooked till they're fall-apart tender.
<\/a><\/div>Tangerine and Thyme Infused Water<\/a>Who doesn't love the bright and juicy flavor of tangerine? The addition of thyme really rounds out this infused water. \u2014James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
<\/a><\/div>Strawberry-Rosemary Yogurt Pops<\/a>We planted strawberries a few years ago and these tangy-sweet frozen yogurt pops are my very favorite treats to make with them! The options are endless. Try using other yogurt flavors like lemon, raspberry or blueberry. \u2014Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
<\/a><\/div>Cheese and Fresh Herb Quiche<\/a>With herbs from the garden to use, I created a quiche with basil, parsley and dill along with feta, Swiss, Gruyere and mozzarella. Goat cheese is also yummy. \u2014Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
<\/a><\/div>Cherry Tomato Salad<\/a>In this cherry tomato salad, juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes are dressed lightly with a little oil, vinegar and herbs and given their moment to shine.