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What to Do When You First Buy Basil to Make It Last for Months

What to Do When You First Buy Basil to Make It Last for Months

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🌿 What to Do When You First Buy Basil to Make It Last for Months

Fresh basil is a magical herb that elevates everything from pasta and salads to pizzas and cocktails. But if you’ve ever bought a bunch of basil only to have it wilt and brown within days, you’re not alone. The good news? With a few simple steps, you can make your fresh basil last for weeks — even months!

Here’s how to care for your basil right from the moment you bring it home so you can enjoy that vibrant, aromatic flavor well beyond the store shelf.

1. Treat It Like Fresh Flowers

Basil is delicate and needs moisture to stay fresh, much like cut flowers. When you bring your basil home:

  • Trim the stems about half an inch with clean scissors.
  • Place the stems in a jar or glass of fresh water (room temperature works best).
  • Cover the basil loosely with a plastic bag to create a humid environment, but don’t seal it completely.
  • Keep the jar on your countertop away from direct sunlight.

Change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh.

2. Avoid Refrigeration (At Least Initially)

Basil doesn’t love the cold! Refrigerators can cause the leaves to turn black and wilt quickly.

  • If you plan to use the basil within a week, keep it on your countertop as described above.
  • Only refrigerate if your kitchen is very warm or if you’ve already used the jar method and need to store it longer. Wrap basil gently in a slightly damp paper towel and place it in a loose plastic bag in the fridge’s crisper drawer.

3. Harvest and Prune Regularly

Just like a living plant, basil stays healthiest if you snip leaves regularly:

  • Use clean scissors to cut stems just above a leaf node (where leaves branch off).
  • This encourages new growth and keeps the plant bushy and productive.
  • Avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to prevent stress.

4. Freeze for Long-Term Storage

If you want to keep basil for months, freezing is your best friend:

  • Blanch leaves in boiling water for a few seconds, then plunge them into ice water to preserve color.
  • Pat dry and chop the basil, then freeze in ice cube trays with a little olive oil or water.
  • Pop out cubes as needed to add fresh basil flavor to sauces, soups, and more.