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    Home » Cooking Tips

    Basil Ice Cubes - Easy Freezing Tip for Summer Basil

    Published: Jul 30, 2020 · Modified: Aug 8, 2021 by Lois · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

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    Now that I've shared tips for growing basil, let's talk about preserving basil. Today I'll share with you a three different ways on how to freeze basil. My favorite way is to make frozen basil ice cubes with olive oil to use in recipes long after summer is over.

    Frozen basil and olive oil ice cube.

    Basil Ice Cubes are a great method to use so you have fresh basil on hand for any soup, stew or tomato based recipe you'll be making over the next few months.  Make sure you check out the recipes I share at the bottom of this post that you can use with the basil ice cubes. 

    Before we even begin with the tips on freezing basil, I need to point out that storing fresh basil leaves in any type of oil in the refrigerator is not recommended.

    Refrigerating fresh basil leaves or any other herb in oil can lead to botulism. Please be aware of this very important fact.

    Fresh Basil Closeup and freezing tips.

    Helpful Kitchen Tools

    This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, click here.

    • Salad Spinner
    • Ice Cube Trays
    • Stainless Steel Veggie Chopper
    • Stainless Steel Veggie Chopper - works great too if you don't have a food processor.

    How to Prepare the Basil for Freezing

    After you have picked all the basil from your garden, take it off the stem, wash and dry it.  Using a salad spinner helps make sure all the water is removed and you have completely dry basil leaves.

    Fresh Basil in Salad Spinner and Water

    How to Chop the Basil

    Using either a food processor or a sharp knife, cut the basil leaves into small pieces and place in an ice cube tray.

    How Much Olive Oil to Add

    Pour about 1 tablespoon of olive oil into each individual ice cube holder. Freeze the tray until each cube is frozen solid.  This could take a few days.

    Fresh basil chopped in ice cube trays.

    How to Remove Frozen Basil Ice Cubes

    Remove the frozen basil ice cubes from the ice cube tray and store in a freezer safe plastic container or bag for up to 6 months.  Don't forget to label the container so you know exactly what's inside!

    Frozen Basil Ice Cube in Olive Oil

    How to Flash Freeze Basil

    Once the basil leaves have been washed and dried, lay them flat on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

    Place the baking tray in the freezer and "flash freeze" the basil leaves for about 15 minutes. Place the frozen leaves in a freezer-safe bag and use as needed.

    How to Blanch Freeze Basil

    You could also blanch the basil leaves first by adding them to boiling water for about 15 seconds, then put them directly into a bowl filled with ice cubes and water.

    Then lay the basil leaves out on a baking tray to dry completely before flash freezing the leaves for 15 minutes. Store in freezer safe plastic bags and use as needed.

    How long does frozen basil last?

    Frozen basil should last 4 to 6 months.

    Recipes with Frozen Basil Ice Cubes

    When you're ready to use the frozen basil ice cubes, just remove one or two ice cubes from the freezer and add them to a recipe. Here are a few family favorites:

    • Homemade Tomato Sauce
    • Pasta Fagioli Soup
    • Homemade Tomato Soup

    Tried any of these tips? Let me know in the comments!

    How to Freeze Basil Fresh from the Garden from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

    This cooking tip has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos and new information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them! 

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leslie says

      July 03, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      It’s really yummy to use the cubes as a bread dip in the wi tee months or for a caprese salad

      Reply
      • Lois says

        July 04, 2022 at 5:15 pm

        That sounds like a great idea!

        Reply
    2. Ann says

      August 09, 2020 at 3:10 pm

      I freeze the leaves, but this is another great option. Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's.

      Reply
    3. Ruth says

      September 02, 2018 at 12:12 pm

      I will definitely do this after I'm done doing pesto, we love our pesto

      Reply
      • Lois says

        September 02, 2018 at 5:05 pm

        Thank you for visiting!

        Reply
    4. Ruth says

      September 02, 2018 at 11:30 am

      I am definitely going to do this if I have any bsail left after doing pesto and freezing it in ice cube trays then putting in freezer bags, thanks for the info

      Reply
    5. Debrashoppeno5 says

      August 09, 2018 at 7:15 pm

      I am so excited to see this because my basil is still alive. I may have a chance to freeze some basil.

      Reply
      • Lois says

        August 10, 2018 at 7:31 pm

        I hope this process works for you! My basil is doing pretty good too this summer! Thanks for visiting!

        Reply
    6. Richella Parham says

      August 09, 2018 at 9:12 am

      Thank you for these tips! I have loads of basil right now, but had no idea that I could freeze it. I'll follow your example!

      Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I'm featuring you this week!

      Reply
      • Lois says

        August 09, 2018 at 12:13 pm

        Thank you!!! I just went over to see and join again this week.

        Reply
    7. Amanda Kolb says

      September 11, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      Great idea to use up the basil I have coming out of my ears. Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!

      Reply
    8. Phil says

      September 01, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      This is amazing! Thank you for sharing such a handy tip.

      Reply

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