How to Dry Preserve Basil

Basil is one of the herbs that grow at an exponential rate to keep up with its demand. Once you’ve cut some off, that same branch seems to reappear the next day! You may be wondering how you can preserve basil to prevent the abundance from going to waste, and I’m here to help. The easiest and most economical method that I’ve tried is to hang, dry, and freeze.

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Preserve Basil – Step 1: Gather the Harvest

Before your basil plant begins to flower, cut some large stems off of the bush. Be sure to leave about half an inch at the base of the stem available, because that is where you’ll tie the string later. Place your bundles into a basket and bring inside.

Step 2: Rinse the Basil

Using a clean sink, bowl, or colander, gently rinse your basil to rid the leaves of dirt and bugs. You don’t want any of that lingering once your basil is preserved! You can also swirl the bundles in some water before gently rinsing them off to be sure they’re completely clean.

Step 3: Lay the Basil Out and Dry

Lay the basil on a clean tea towel and use another one to gently dry the leaves. You don’t want to skip this step, because any excess moisture will put the herb at risk for mold development. Once dried, I like to allow the bundles to lay on a dry towel for a couple of hours to absorb the remaining water. Be sure that the bundles are completely dried off before moving on!

Preserve Basil – Step 4: Tie it up

Grab some sturdy string like jute, and cut each piece about 10 inches long. You’ll need one piece of string for each bundle. Lay the string on your towel, locate the center, and place the base of the stem on the center of the string. Tie a double knot around the stem, and you’ll be left with two long strands on either side. This excess string is what you’ll use to hang them up.

Step 5: Hang up the Bundles

Pick a dry spot with good air circulation to hang up the basil. Be sure it’s not too close to open doors or windows so that bugs aren’t attracted to the herbs. Use the remaining string to tie the basil around a bar or some hooks, and let the air do the rest! Basil takes about 2 weeks to completely dry this way, give or take depending on the climate of your home.

Step 6: Store Preserved Basil

Pick the leaves off of the stem, and store in an air tight container such as a mason jar. These spice jars with labels are perfect! You can store the leaves whole, or you can crush the leaves into your jar for ready-to-use basil. Storing them whole and then crunching them up as they’re used will help maximize the flavor in your dish. You’re able to store this jar in your spice cabinet, but placing the jar in the freezer helps ensure that it lasts as long as possible and decreases risk of molding.

How to Use Dried Basil

If you’re using a recipe that calls for fresh basil, use 1 teaspoon of dried basil for every tablespoon of fresh basil. Basil can be used in such a wide variety of dishes! It tastes wonderful in soups, pastas, and most winter dishes, such as roasted vegetables and gnocchi!

I have a mouth-watering recipe for homemade pesto, which calls for fresh basil leaves. You might also love some refreshing basil mint tea during the summer!

How to Preserve Fresh Basil

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Learn how to preserve fresh basil with just a few supplies in 6 simple steps!

Active Time 1 minute

Additional Time 14 days

Total Time 14 days 1 minute

Materials

• Garden scissors
• Bowl or colander (For Washing)
• Clean tea towels
• 10" pieces of string (One piece per bundle of basil)

Instructions

1. Cut a couple of large stems off of your basil bush before the plant begins to flower. Leave about half an inch at the base of the stem available for step 4!
2. Gently rinse the basil in a clean sink, bowl, or colander.
3. Lay the basil on a clean tea towel and use another towel to completely dry the leaves.
4. Take one piece of string and place the base of the basil stem at the center of the string. Tie a double knot around the stem.
5. Pick a dry spot with good air circulation to hang up the basil. Tie the basil around some hooks, and let the air do the rest!
6. Once the basil is completely dried (to a crunch), pluck the leaves off of the stem, and store in an air tight container such as a mason jar.

Notes

- Basil takes about 2 weeks to completely dry once it's hung up, give or take depending on the climate of your home. Be sure the basil is completely dry in Step 3, because any excess moisture will put the herbs at risk for mold development!

- Pick a dry spot with good air circulation to hang up the basil. Be sure it’s not too close to open doors or windows so that bugs aren’t attracted to the herbs. 

-  You can store the leaves whole, or you can crush the leaves into your jar for ready-to-use basil. Storing them whole and then crunching them up as they’re used will help maximize the flavor in your dish.

- You’re able to store the jar in your spice cabinet, but placing the jar in the freezer helps ensure that it lasts as long as possible and decreases risk of molding.

Now you get to enjoy your preserved basil in home cooked meals, all thanks to your newly acquired preservation skills! Don’t forget to share your favorite basil-filled recipes in the comments below!

Have you gone blueberry picking lately? You can check out my post to learn how to preserve blueberries in the fridge or freezer!

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