Can basil go in the fridge?
In this brief, we are going to answer the query, “can basil go in the fridge?”. We will also discuss the proper way of storing basil to keep it fresh for longer and talk about alternate options for long term storage.
Can basil go in the fridge?
Yes, basil can be stored in the fridge and can be kept fresh for a few days by following proper storing methods. Basil is a delicate herb that needs good handling or else the leaves will bruise and go black.
Storing basil in the fridge can be done by following the following tips.
Rolled in a towel
Wash the basil leaves and pat them dry and layer them in a paper towel or kitchen towel and roll the towel. Place the rolled towel in a ziplock bag and place it in the fridge. This method will keep the basil leaves fresh for 5-6 days.
Plastic bag (salad bag)
After you have bought basil from the supermarket, pick the leaves and wash them, pat dry and place them in a plastic bag loosely, and place it in the fridge just as you would do with the salad leaves. This method will keep the basil fresh for 3-4 days.
How long will basil stay fresh in the fridge?
Basil stored in the fridge can stay fresh for 5-6 days. After that, the leaves will slowly start to change colour and smell funny. Basil doesn’t like to be in the fridge for a long period of time.
How to store basil at room temperature?
Basil is a super delicate herb and is a bit difficult to store with a lot of risks of bruising the leaves if wrongly handled. Basil is best stored at room temperature as a flower bouquet. This process will help basil to stay fresh for a minimum of 10 days if looked after with care.
In a vase or a jug place water and put trimmed basil leaves with stems as you would do to flowers. But in the case of basil, one has to cover the leaves with thin plastic to keep them fresh. You should change the water of the vase every two days to keep it fresh for longer.
Also keep in mind that no leaves should be submerged in water, if any leaves are touching the water, the leaves will start to look slimy and change in colour to black. The best place to put the vase is where there is plenty of light but not too hot in the room. This will help the basil to remain fresh for a long time.
How can you store basil for longer?
There are a few ways to consider when storing basil for long term use. Here we have discussed different methods.
Freeze
Freezing the basil leaves for use when fresh ones are not available is a smart way of using the techniques of preservation. Freezing basil leaves in whole or pureed or chopped leaves in olive oil does the trick.
When freezing whole leaves, blanching the leaves and putting them in ice water will help retain the green colour of basil, or else the basil leaves will go black. Place the blanched leaves in a tray and freeze for 1 hour. Once frozen, put them in zip lock bags and keep them sealed.
Another way of freezing basil leaves is to put chopped basil in the ice cube trays and pour olive oil into them to freeze. Once frozen, store the cubes in an airtight container or zip lock bags and use them when needed. This method reduces the loss of colour, taste, and texture of frozen basil leaves when thawed.
Drying
Basil leaves after drying will not be the same as the fresh leaves but will definitely do justice to the taste and flavour it adds to any recipe. Pick fresh leaves of basil and wash them thoroughly. Pat each leaf dry or if you have a salad spinner, use it to make the leaves completely dry.
Place the leaves on parchment paper and pop them in the oven at 200F for 2 hours or until dry and crumbly. Once dried, crush the leaves and store them in a glass container and seal it airtight. Doing this will be way cheaper and hygienic than compared to those supermarket bought dried basil leaves.
Pureeing
Pureeing basil for storing in the freezer for long term use or in the fridge for short term use is probably the best way to get as much flavour and taste as compared to its fresh leaves. Adding a bit of olive oil when pureeing helps in retaining the colour too.
While at it, the addition of garlic, pinenuts, and parmesan cheese will result in a tasty pesto to use at will.
Conclusion
In this brief, we answered the query, “can basil go in the fridge?”. We also discussed the proper way of storing basil to keep it fresh for longer and talked about alternate options for long term storage.
I hope you find this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
