How to Store Basil

This is one of my favorite times a year, when I can eat a simple fresh heirloom tomato salad with basil everyday for lunch. If you are like most people, after a couple days you open the fridge and pull out the basil only to find that it is wilted and started to turn black. So frustrating! Whether you grow your own, buy at a local farmers market, or grab at the grocery there is a lot of debate on the proper way to store your basil. I have narrowed it down to my top 3 ways that all have great results.

Top 3 ways to store basil:

1. Trim, Water, Plastic Bag

When you get your fresh basil, trim 1/4 inch off the stem. Use kitchen shears, and not a knife to make a clean cut.

Place the trimmed stems into a vase of cool water, making sure that no leaves are immersed.

*This is the key: cover with a perforated plastic bag (such as a veggie bag) and place on the counter in a cool area away from direct sunlight. Change water everyday.

2. Tupperware and Rack

Cut 1/4 inch off the stems. Place a cooling rack on top of a shallow tupperware container. Carefully arrange the basil where the stems are in the water, and leaves are spread out on top of rack – away from the water. Change water every other day.

3. Basil stored with Sea Salt

Cover the bottom of an airtight food storage container with sea salt, and alternate single layers of clean, dry basil with more sea salt. This keeps the moisture out and can be stored indefinitely.