The Best Way to Store Fresh Herbs So They Last Longer 🌿

Fresh herbs are great—until half of the bunch turns limp and brown in the refrigerator a few days later.

If you regularly buy cilantro, parsley, mint, or other fresh herbs, there’s a simple storage trick worth trying.

Treat Them More Like Flowers

For leafy herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and mint, trim a little from the stems.

Put them in a small glass or jar with a little water at the bottom, just enough to cover the stems.

Then loosely cover the herbs with a plastic bag and place them in the refrigerator.

The important part is not to pack the bag tightly. A little airflow helps prevent excess moisture from turning the leaves slimy.

What About Basil?

Basil is a little different.

It doesn't usually do well in a cold refrigerator.

Instead, keep the stems in a small glass of water and leave it at room temperature, somewhere away from direct sunlight.

Change the water every couple of days.

Don't Wash Everything at Once

This is an easy mistake to make.

Washing herbs before storing them can leave extra moisture on the leaves. If you're not using them immediately, it's often better to wash them right before you need them.

If you do wash them ahead of time, dry them thoroughly first.

One More Little Trick

If you know you won't use the whole bunch soon, freeze the extra.

Chop the herbs, put them into an ice cube tray, cover with water or olive oil, and freeze.

Then you can drop a cube straight into soups, sauces, pasta, or other cooked dishes later. 🧊

Fresh herbs don't have to disappear into the back of the refrigerator after three days.

Sometimes a small change in how you store them is all it takes to get several more useful days out of the same bunch.