{"id":23021,"date":"2025-05-06T15:47:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T22:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/blogs\/how-to-keep-fresh-herbs-fresh-and-avoid-waste\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T16:02:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T23:02:20","slug":"how-to-keep-fresh-herbs-fresh-and-avoid-waste","status":"publish","type":"blogs","link":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/blogs\/how-to-keep-fresh-herbs-fresh-and-avoid-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Keep Fresh Herbs Fresh?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who doesn\u2019t love fresh herbs for the bright flavour and colour they add to meals? But keeping them fresh can be tricky! Too often, those beautiful bunches end up wilted or slimy before we\u2019ve had a chance to use them. Not anymore! With a little care, you can extend the life of your herbs and make sure none go to waste. Here\u2019s how to store fresh herbs to get the most out of every sprig.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-22919\" src=\"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/How-to-Keep-Fresh-Herbs-Fresh-and-Avoid-Waste-300x165.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"498\" height=\"274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/How-to-Keep-Fresh-Herbs-Fresh-and-Avoid-Waste-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/How-to-Keep-Fresh-Herbs-Fresh-and-Avoid-Waste-768x422.png 768w, https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/How-to-Keep-Fresh-Herbs-Fresh-and-Avoid-Waste.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>How to Store Fresh Herbs\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all herbs are the same. Some are soft and tender while some are woody and much more hardy. How you store them depends on which kind you have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Soft, Tender Herbs (Cilantro, Parsley, Dill, Basil, Mint)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tender herbs need moisture and air circulation to stay fresh. Here are two storage methods that work well:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Jar of Water Method<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trim stems and place them in jar with an inch or two of water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loosely cover the top with a plastic bag to trap humidity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Store cilantro and parsley in the fridge, but keep basil at room temperature\u2014it turns black when too cold.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change the water every few days.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Damp Paper Towel Method\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrap herbs in a slightly damp (not wet) paper towel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place them in a resealable bag or airtight container and store in the fridge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check for moisture buildup and replace the paper towel if needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Hardy Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Chives)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hardy herbs last longer than tender ones but still need proper storage. Many of them have woody stems (except chives) and do better when kept dry. To store them:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrap loosely in a dry paper towel and place in an airtight container in the fridge.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>When to Wash Fresh Herbs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a general rule, wait to wash herbs until you\u2019re ready to use them &#8211; especially hardy herbs, which prefer being kept dry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if your herbs are quite dirty or gritty, (we\u2019re looking at you cilantro!), go ahead and wash before storing. Just dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or patting with a towel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTE:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All herbs exposed to moisture will spoil faster. Once washed, aim to use them within 3-4 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Use or Preserve Fresh Herbs Before They Go Bad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you suspect you have more fresh herbs than you\u2019ll be able to use, here\u2019s how to get ahead of the game:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Freeze Them:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chop herbs, pack into ice cube trays, and cover with water or olive oil. Once frozen, transfer to a bag and use as needed in soups, stews or saut\u00e9s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dry Them:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use a dehydrator or hang them in a warm well-ventilated spot or quickly dry them in the microwave.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To dry in a microwave, place a single layer of herb leaves between two paper towels and microwave on high at 20 second intervals, checking between bursts. It may take 1-2 minutes in total, but short bursts prevent scorching. Once dry store in an airtight container.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more inspiration read <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/5-ways\/wilted-herbs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 Ways to Use Wilted Herbs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Choose Living Herbs to Reduce Waste<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living herb plants will last longer than cut herbs &#8211; give them a try. Or, why not try to grow your own this spring? Start with potted herbs from your local garden center. The five easiest herbs to grow are:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf31<\/span> <strong>Basil<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf31<\/span> <strong>Chives<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf31<\/span> <strong>Mint<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf31<\/span> <strong>Parsley<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udf31<\/span> <strong>Thyme<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To keep them healthy and productive:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use good-quality potting soil in a pot with good drainage.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Place them in a sunny location\u2014at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, most herbs don\u2019t like wet feet.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Harvest often to encourage fresh, new growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few small pots of fresh herbs mean you always have flavour at your fingertips\u2014without the waste!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With these simple storage and growing techniques, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy fresh herbs for longer\u2014and say goodbye to wasted greens!\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":22581,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[656,701],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23021","blogs","type-blogs","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-how-do-i"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogs\/23021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blogs"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogs\/23021\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovefoodhatewaste.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}