Put fresh basil leaves into a colander that fits into the pot (it's important to have the basil in something so you can quickly remove it all at once). Place the paper towel in a plastic bag and you can store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Get Our Best Recipes, Life Hacks, DIY Ideas & More… Delivered Right to Your Inbox. Instead of bringing it indoors here are some options for how you can preserve basil. Then, pour olive oil over them and freeze. Sign Up. Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil per 1 cup of basil. Store Fresh Cut Basil – make it last in your kitchen for a couple of weeks. Use a food processor to coarsely chop washed basil leaves.Add a drizzle of olive oil and pulse to lightly coat the leaves with oil; this will keep the basil from turning black in the freezer. Scoop the resulting mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Share. Propagating supermarket basil through cuttings is a relatively simple process. You can also tear the basil leaves and put them in an ice cube tray. You can simply freeze the whole basil leaves or chop them and store them in a container or freezer bag, but keep in mind that they might shrink a little. Clean the leaves and rub them with olive oil before putting them in a plastic bag and freezing. The Spruce / Cara Cormack Chop and Freeze . Hang Basil to Dry. Once cold again in you can dry the basil leaves with a kitchen paper (squeezing the leaves as well to remove any excess water) and place it in a plastic bag in the freezer. The best way to store basil for the short term is to put the stems into a vase of water, and keep it at room temperature. Make Basil Pesto. Keep your basil fresh for weeks with this super simple tip! Freezing fresh basil leaves is a very effective method of preserving their taste and aroma. Once grown to a large enough size, store bought basil can also be used to take cuttings. If any of the leaves are touching the water, they will quickly turn black. First, remove the lower leaves, and use those up first. This method can keep your basil looking green and fresh for a week or longer. Alternatively, you can pick the basil leaves, lay them in a single file in a paper towel, and roll up the towel around them. You can also try blanching them: Remove basil leaves from the stem and toss them in a pot with boiling water for 3-5 seconds. However, it is the one that requires a bit more work and more time. How to blanch & freeze basil leaves: Wash & dry basil leaves. Place the leaves on damp paper towels and roll them up. Email. By signing up, I agree to the Terms & to receive emails from the “Rachael Ray” show. Tweet. Place the rolls into a zip lock bag. Dry Basil in a Dehydrator. Like many herbs, the more frequently basil is pinched or cut, the more leaves that will be produced. Pin It. Puree: Use a food processor to puree the fresh basil leaves with olive oil. One of the easiest ways to preserve basil is to freeze the basil leaves. 4 – Dried Drying is another popular method to preserve your basil. Roll up in paper towels. Puree and freeze fresh basil in these 3 easy steps: Prep: Remove the basil leaves from the stem, then wash and dry completely. Dry Basil in the Microwave. Want More? Wash your basil leaves in a colander or salad spinner. Basil in plastic bag Store the basil in a plastic bag. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. You can use paper towels to keep your basil fresh while also conserving space in your refrigerator.