If you’re wondering how to freeze fresh rosemary, you’ve come to the right place. One way to freeze fresh rosemary is to separate the individual leaves and sprigs and freeze them in freezer-safe containers.
This article will tell you how to freeze fresh rosemary, its shelf life, and other rosemary-related information. Split them by size and keep them in airtight plastic bags or ice cube trays to prevent them from freezing again. Alternatively, store the leaves and sprigs in zip-top bags.
How to Freeze Fresh Rosemary?
There are several ways to freeze rosemary. One method is to chop the rosemary into small pieces and put them in ice cube trays. You can freeze rosemary leaves suspended in filtered ice cube trays and use water or olive oil.
Another method for creating “herb roll-ups” is to stuff freezer bags with rosemary leaves, squeeze out any excess air, and roll the bags up from the bottom to the top. Once frozen, these rosemary cubes can be added to a dish for flavor. You can also add these cubes to stews or pasta sauces.
Another method is to store rosemary sprigs in water. To do this, you will want one to two inches of water for each sprig. When ready to use it, take it out of the water because it might start to degrade. You can also place a plastic bag over a glass in the refrigerator. This method will help you preserve the fresh rosemary for about two weeks.
1. Dry your Rosemary
When dried, rosemary naturally maintains its flavor, color, and texture, unlike more delicate herbs like parsley or basil. It is also really simple to dry. The three most widely utilized techniques, oven drying, dehydrating, and air drying, are all excellent choices.
Set the oven to the lowest setting and arrange the sprigs on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Rosemary sprigs should be washed, dried, and then wrapped together, tied at the bases, and hung in a place with good ventilation to air dry. Also evenly dried in the oven is rosemary.
If you have a gas oven, select the “warm” setting or let the pilot light do its thing. In a food dehydrator, place rosemary sprigs, choose the lowest temperature, and wait a few days. It may take a little longer to dehydrate rosemary than it would other herbs because of its thicker texture.
2. Trying Out a Rosemary Infusion
It’s a good idea to infuse vinegar or olive oil with rosemary. Consider all the salad dressings, marinades, and rubs you can whip up in a flash. I let numerous grapefruit peels, and rosemary sprigs steep for two to three weeks. After the sediments have been strained, a few drops can be added to hot tea or a gin-based drink.
3. Construct Rosemary and Citrus Salt
The salt with rosemary and citrus is the one to keep on hand when grilling. Add a fair handful of fresh rosemary leaves, one lemon zest, and one cup of coarse sea salt. In a food processor, pulse frequently to get a fine texture. Use an airtight container for storage.
This improvisational recipe tastes fantastic on grilled chicken, veggies, lamb, or steak and pairs nicely with other resinous herbs like sage or thyme. To make a fragrant after-gardening hand scrub, I take a handful of rosemary and citrus salt and mix it with some olive oil or sweet almond oil.
4. Use an Ice Cube Tray to Freeze Fresh Rosemary
One of the easiest ways to freeze fresh herbs for year-round use is with ice cubes. The herbs in ice cubes retain fresh flavor and won’t form ice crystals like dried herbs. For the best results, ensure the herbs are completely dry and roughly chopped before putting them into the ice cube trays. Then mix them with good quality olive oil, cover them with plastic wrap, and freeze them for several hours.
Before freezing herbs, make sure they are dry and thoroughly washed. Remove the stems, but don’t crush them. Next, chop the leaves of the herbs into small pieces. Add the leaves to the ice cube tray about two-thirds of the way filled. Then, smear the leaves with the butter that has just melted. The more finely you chop the herbs, the more flavor they’ll release.
5. Use a Tightly Sealed Container to Freeze Fresh Rosemary
To store rosemary for later use, it is best to wrap it in plastic or a tightly sealed container. This will help it retain freshness. Fresh rosemary can be held in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It will last for about 10 to 14 days when stored correctly.
Ideally, you should harvest rosemary sprigs just before they flower. This will preserve its freshness and ensure its flavor. For maximum freshness, keep fresh rosemary in the refrigerator. Dried rosemary will keep for two or three years if properly stored.
6. Using a Dehydrator to Freeze Fresh Rosemary
Rosemary is often dried on the stem or as individual leaves. When dried, rosemary will release a beautiful smell as it slowly dries. Place the rosemary in the dehydrator at a low temperature. The drying process will last from one to two hours, depending on the type of rosemary you use. While drying, use a wooden spoon to lower the heat and prevent the rosemary from overcooking.
The rosemary can be dried in a regular oven if you don’t have a dehydrator. To speed up drying, you can detach the leaves from the stems. Once the rosemary is dried, you can place the sprigs on the dehydrator trays. If you like, you can also place the sprigs on a window screen, but cover them with a paper bag to keep the moisture out. You can also hang rosemary sprigs on cinder blocks, a wooden block, or on the eaves of your home.
Can you Freeze Fresh Rosemary?
Freezing fresh rosemary isn’t too difficult. The herb can withstand freezing temperatures and freeze for months. The perfect way to store it is in an airtight container. You can also freeze it in ice-cube trays with olive oil and water. Alternatively, you can flash-freeze it. This process can be done by laying the sprigs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then placing them into the freezer.
Another method for storing rosemary is to chop it into small pieces. This way, it will be easier to store the rosemary. You can also put the rosemary sprigs in an ice cube tray. After that, you ought to put them in a freezer bag and cover it. This will prevent the rosemary from going bad in the freezer. Once frozen, you can use the rosemary sprigs in marinades, soups, and sauces.
Is Drying Rosemary Preferable to Freezing it?
Although it won’t be as fragrant as fresh rosemary, dried rosemary lasts longer than either freezing or refrigeration. The rosemary sprigs should be placed on a plate in a dry area and left to stand for a few days to dry.
Can you Freeze Thyme and Rosemary?
You most certainly can; the ice cube method is the most effective. Just combine equal portions of rosemary and thyme, press the mixture into your ice cube tray, top with water or olive oil, and freeze.
How can Rosemary be Defrosted?
The good news is that, with either of the methods above, you don’t have to. Take it out of the freezer as you require it. If you’re using rosemary in a stew, soup, or sauce, remove it from the freezer and add it to the pan along with the rest of the ingredients. It is optional to keep it in the refrigerator all night. You can gradually defrost it in warm water.
What is the Shelf Life of Rosemary in the Freezer?
In the freezer, rosemary will keep for about a year. There is a slight possibility that the flavor will deteriorate quickly. It’s good to use frozen rosemary within 4 to 6 months. If the shelf life of the chilled rosemary is coming to an end, you should also carefully inspect the stems for any indications of mold.
It’s surprising to throw away fresh rosemary; however, you shouldn’t utilize any leaves that have turned a deep brown color or are delicate. Although it will still be completely safe to eat after these 3 to 4 months, you might find that it doesn’t add much rosemary flavor to your food.
This study set out to find out how tocopherol, rosemary essential oil, and ferulago affected the oxidative stability of mayonnaise while it was being stored.
Conclusion
Rosemary is a hardy herb that is not easily affected by low temperatures. One way to preserve your rosemary is to chop it finely and place the sprigs in ice cube trays. You can keep it in a freezer bag if you want to wait to use it. Rosemary has a long shelf life and is resistant to freezer burn. It can be held frozen for up to a year. However, it does lose its flavor when left in the freezer for too long. This is why it’s advisable to use it within three months of freezing. Alternatively, you can put it in a glass of water or place it in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer.
