How to Freeze Herbs & Aromatics

Method20 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: For cilantro: trim the bottom stems. Soak in a bowl of cold water to loosen dirt or sand, then wash in fresh water a couple more times until clean.

   Uses Fresh cilantro, any amount to freeze · Cold water for soaking and fresh rinses; discard after washing

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Dry the washed cilantro leaves and stems thoroughly in a salad spinner and/or on a clean kitchen towel.

   Uses Washed cilantro, lifted from the washing water

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Pack the dry cilantro in a freezer bag, press out the air, seal and freeze.

   Uses Thoroughly dried cilantro

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Use the frozen cilantro directly in cooked dishes without thawing; chop it first if your chosen recipe calls for it.

   Uses Frozen cilantro

5. 5

   Step 5: For ginger: peel the whole piece with a vegetable peeler, paring knife or spoon. Keep the ginger dry during preparation.

   Uses Fresh ginger, any amount to freeze

6. 6

   Step 6: Slice the peeled ginger into discs.

   Uses Peeled ginger

   
7. 7

   Step 7: Put the ginger discs into a freezer bag, press out the air, seal and freeze. Avoid adding water, which can make the slices freeze together.

   Uses Ginger discs

   
8. 8

   Step 8: Chop or mince the frozen ginger as needed and add it directly to cooked dishes without thawing. It can also be used where your chosen recipe calls for raw ginger.

   Uses Frozen ginger discs

9. 9

   Step 9: For scallions: wash them and dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel.

   Uses Fresh scallions, any amount to freeze · Cold water for washing scallions; discard after washing

   
10. 10

    Step 10: Trim the root ends from the clean, dry scallions.

    Uses Clean, dry scallions

    
11. 11

    Step 11: Dice, julienne or slice the trimmed scallions as needed. You may keep the white and green parts in separate bags, or cut some into 2-inch lengths. Pack in freezer bags, press out the air, seal and freeze.

    Uses Trimmed scallions

12. 12

    Step 12: Add the frozen scallions directly to cooked dishes without thawing.

    Uses Frozen prepared scallions

13. 13

    Step 13: For chilies or peppers: keep them whole and wash them under cool running water.

    Uses Fresh chilies or peppers, any amount to freeze · Cool running water for washing whole chilies or peppers

14. 14

    Step 14: Dry the washed chilies or peppers thoroughly on a clean kitchen towel.

    Uses Washed whole chilies or peppers

15. 15

    Step 15: Transfer the dry whole chilies or peppers to freezer bags, seal and freeze.

    Uses Thoroughly dried whole chilies or peppers

16. 16

    Step 16: Small Thai bird chilies can be thawed for dishes that call for raw chilies. For larger chilies or peppers, thaw only enough to cut them, then chop and add to cooked dishes.

    Uses Frozen whole chilies or peppers

17. 17

    Step 17: For lemongrass: trim off the ends and woody tops, then remove tough or old outer leaves.

    Uses Fresh lemongrass, any amount to freeze

    
18. 18

    Step 18: Cut the tender remaining lemongrass stalks into 4-inch lengths.

    Uses Trimmed lemongrass stalks

19. 19

    Step 19: Transfer the lemongrass lengths to freezer bags, seal and freeze.

    Uses Lemongrass lengths

20. 20

    Step 20: When a recipe uses whole lemongrass lengths, add them without thawing. If you need to chop them or process them into a marinade, thaw enough to do that preparation first.

    Uses Frozen lemongrass lengths