How to Freeze Basil in Olive Oil (Basil Cubes)
Too much basil on hand? Try freezing basil in olive oil to preserve its fresh, vibrant flavor. It's a convenient way to incorporate basil into your soups, pasta dishes, sauces, and more!Freeze your basil in ice cube trays (or a mini muffin pan) to make it easy to grab just enough for your next recipe. It's the easiest way to add the flavor of fresh basil in the middle of winter!
Equipment
- mini muffin pan or ice cube tray
- Sheet pan
Ingredients
- fresh basil amount varies
- olive oil amount varies
Instructions
Puree Method
- Place the clean basil leaves and stems into the bowl of your food processor and blend to break the leaves into small pieces. (It can help to start with just some of the basil first, then add more after it starts to break down.)
- Drizzle olive oil slowly into the food processor and blend until the mixture becomes a creamy puree.
- Transfer the blended basil into an ice cube tray or mini muffin pan and level out the top with the back of a knife or a bench scraper.
- Freeze solid then remove the cubes and transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 3-6 months.
Sliced Leaves Method
- Instead of pureeing the basil leaves, cut them into strips or pieces (your preferences) using a very sharp knife.
- Pack the cut basil into the ice cube trays and then cover with a little olive oil. The oil will fill in any gaps. If needed, poke your finger or the tip of a knife into the mixture to submerge any leaves on top.
- Freeze solid then remove the basil ice cubes and store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag.
Notes
These methods can be made with any amount of basil. The oil is just to be used as a binder to hold everything together.