How to Keep Herbs Fresh for 22 Days
Did you know that with a few simple tricks, you can keep herbs fresh for a much longer time? When I was a young beginner and hadn’t learned how to cook yet, I had a very simple solution. I would clean the herbs and put them in the refrigerator. But after a short time, the carrots would become old, the cucumbers would spoil, and my herbs would become wilted and limp.
These exact reasons helped me start searching for proper solutions to keep herbs and fruits fresh for a longer time. I try to write practical and useful tips for every type of fruit and herb, so that you, like me, can enjoy fresh produce while avoiding the need for daily shopping.
Excellent Tricks to Keep Herbs Fresh in the Refrigerator for Up to 22 Days
To keep herbs fresh, all you need to do is control moisture and airflow. This is the only secret and key to keeping herbs fresh. Therefore, use these simple, practical, and low-cost tricks.
1. First Trick: Storing Washed Herbs
Generally, storing herbs that have not been washed or cleaned is easier. However, if you are like me and have a small child at home who leaves you with little free time, and you don’t want to clean herbs every day, follow this method.
Clean your herbs (if you want to clean them properly and reduce waste, I have prepared an article on how to clean herbs—be sure to read it), then wash and disinfect them.
Herbs usually grow in natural environments and therefore require thorough washing and disinfection. They may be exposed to fertilizers and pesticides, or if they are not grown in greenhouses, they may be cultivated in places where animals such as cats and dogs pass through. That is why washing herbs is extremely important.
I have explained how to wash and disinfect herbs without using chemical or toxic substances in the article How to Wash and Disinfect Our Vegetables.
To apply this trick:
- Wash and disinfect the herbs.
- Place the washed herbs on a clean cotton cloth, preferably light-colored, for one hour.
(Light-colored fabrics help you notice any remaining dirt.) - After the herbs are completely dry (turn them over several times and gently remove moisture with the cloth), place them in a dry cotton cloth.
- Put the wrapped herbs into a zip-lock bag and leave the zipper about 2 centimeters open so air can still circulate.
- This trick helps herbs last between 14 and 21 days. The type of herb also matters; basil and cress usually last about 10 to 14 days.
2. Second Trick: Store Stemmed Herbs Like Flowers
This is a professional method for stemmed herbs. Herbs such as basil, mint, leek, cilantro, and leek can last up to 22 days using this method.
- Slightly trim the ends of the stems.
- Take a glass or jar and pour 2 to 3 centimeters of water into it.
- Place the herbs into the water.
- Cover the herbs with a plastic bag and loosely tie it underneath.
- Place the herbs in the refrigerator.
Change the water every two to three days, and make sure to remove yellow or wilted leaves. This is very important to prevent the rest of the herbs from becoming yellow or mushy.
Basil is one of the herbs that stays fresher at room temperature. You can use this method to store basil while also adding more greenery to your living space.
3. Third Trick: An Old but Effective and Affordable Method
For this method, use newspapers that do not have colored printing.
- Wash your herbs and dry them completely.
- Place the herbs layer by layer between the newspaper sheets and put them in a lidded container. The newspaper absorbs excess moisture and prevents the herbs from spoiling.
- Remember not to close the lid completely, because air must be able to circulate.
With this method, herbs remain fresh for 15 to 20 days.
4. Fourth Trick: Storing Herbs in a Lidded Glass Container
A lidded glass container is another suitable option for storing herbs.
- Wash the herbs and dry them completely.
- Place them inside a lidded glass container.
- Close the lid loosely or halfway.
- Place the container in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
Storage Method | Shelf Life
| 🥬 Storage Method | 🧊 How to Store | ⏳ Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Cloth + Zip-lock Bag | Herbs wrapped in a dry cotton cloth, placed in a zip-lock bag with airflow | 14–21 days |
| Glass Jar with Water (Stemmed Herbs) | Upright storage in water, loosely covered | Up to 22 days |
| Newspaper + Container | Herbs layered in non-colored newspaper, lid slightly open | 15–20 days |
| Lidded Glass Container | Completely dry herbs, lid loosely closed | 12–18 days |
Golden Tips That Double the Shelf Life of Herbs
The key point in storing herbs is this: you should not place herbs next to fruits or foods that release ethylene gas. Apples, bananas, pears, avocados, peaches, nectarines, mangoes, tomatoes, onions, and garlic are among the foods that should not be stored near herbs. By releasing ethylene gas, these foods cause herb leaves to yellow and rot.
Mushrooms release a high level of moisture and absorb odors quickly. Raw chicken and meat should also not be stored near herbs, as they transfer unpleasant odors and pose a risk of contamination.
Placing herbs in the vegetable crisper drawer, which maintains higher humidity, increases their shelf life. However, the herbs must be completely dry, and they should be wrapped in paper so the paper absorbs excess moisture.
Every two to three days, remove yellow and wilted leaves and replace the paper wrapped around the herbs.
Using these methods, you can keep your herbs healthy. In other articles, we share excellent and practical tricks for storing various fruits, potatoes, and onions. To read the article on long-term fruit storage, click here.
Conclusion
By following these simple tricks, you can keep herbs fresh and healthy for up to 22 days without using chemical substances. Controlling moisture, allowing airflow, and keeping herbs away from ethylene-producing foods are the key factors for successful long-term herb storage.