Freeze Fresh Basil in Ice Cube Trays: Step-by-Step Guide

Freezing basil in ice cube trays is an excellent way to preserve fresh basil’s bright flavor for use all year. This simple method locks in the herb’s peak aroma and creates convenient portions you can drop into sauces, soups, pastas, or sautés whenever you want a fresh basil boost.

Blending basil with garlic, Parmesan, salt, and olive oil yields savory, ready-to-use cubes. These frozen basil cubes save time in the kitchen and bring a burst of fresh flavor to many dishes with almost no prep.

(If you want to make traditional pesto, add pine nuts.)

These ingredients combine into a flavorful basil blend that freezes well and preserves the taste of fresh basil so you can enjoy it through the colder months.

How to Freeze Fresh Basil

Follow these straightforward steps to harvest and freeze basil for long-term use:

1. Prepare the basil:
   • Trim several large stems and wash thoroughly.
   • Remove the leaves from the stems and let them drain to remove excess water.
2. Measure:
   • Pack about 2 cups of basil leaves, firmly but not overly compressed.
3. Chop:
   • In a food processor or chopper, combine the basil leaves with 7 garlic cloves, ½ cup grated Parmesan, and ⅔ cup olive oil. Pulse until well combined.
4. Season:
   • Stir in ½ teaspoon salt and mix thoroughly.
5. Fill trays:
   • Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray, filling each compartment. This yields about twelve cubes.
6. Freeze:
   • Place the tray in the freezer and freeze until solid (a couple of hours or overnight).
7. Store:
   • Pop the frozen cubes out of the tray and transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. Label and date the bag; cubes will keep well for up to nine months.
8. Use:
   • Add one or two frozen cubes to sauces, soups, pastas, roasted vegetables, or grains while cooking. Allow the cubes to melt and stir to distribute the flavor.

Having basil cubes in the freezer makes it easy to add fresh herb flavor to meals with almost no effort.

(A good chopper or food processor saves time when making the mixture.)

Home gardeners often have excess basil during summer, and freezing basil cubes is a practical way to preserve that abundance for use when outdoor plants are no longer producing.

Preserving Basil

Freezing basil in oil is one of the best methods to preserve its fresh flavor for winter. Drying basil or buying dried basil are options, but they won’t match the bright taste of fresh leaves. Freezing basil blended with oil keeps the herb’s flavor close to fresh and prevents oxidation during storage.

How to Use Frozen Basil Cubes

Basil cubes are extremely versatile. Drop a cube or two into a simmering tomato sauce or soup and let them melt to infuse the dish with basil, garlic, and Parmesan flavor. They also work well stirred into hot pasta, mixed into cooked grains, or added to a pan when sautéing vegetables.

Ideas for using basil cubes:

• Sauces: Stir one or two cubes into marinara, pizza sauce, or other tomato-based sauces while cooking.
• Soups and stews: Add a cube during simmering so the flavor distributes throughout the dish.
• Pasta: Toss a cube with hot pasta so it melts and coats the noodles.
• Vegetables: Add a cube to the pan when roasting or sautéing vegetables for instant seasoning.
• Grains: Mix a cube into cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous for a quick flavor boost.

Do the Amish Eat Italian Food?

Although this site focuses on Amish traditions, Amish families often enjoy a variety of cuisines, including Italian dishes. While classic Amish meals tend to be hearty and centered on meat and potatoes, many households also serve spaghetti, meatballs, and the occasional lasagna. Frozen basil cubes are handy for adding fresh flavor to any dish you want to elevate, regardless of cuisine.

Growing up, our family ate a mix of traditional Amish dishes and occasional non-Amish favorites, so versatile pantry items like preserved basil are useful across many recipes.

More Amish Preserving Recipes

• Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
• Amish Pickled Chow Chow
• Canned Pizza/Spaghetti Sauce
• Apple Butter

These basil cubes pair well with recipes like Amish beef stew or hearty hamburger soup, adding an easy hit of herb flavor. If you try this method for freezing fresh basil, please consider leaving a comment or rating to share your experience.

Freezing Basil in Ice Cube Trays