12 Easy Ways to Preserve Your Herbal Harvest

Whether you're growing basil on your balcony or harvesting bundles of lavender from your garden, herbs don’t stay fresh forever. Luckily, preserving them is easier than you might think.

With just a few basic tools and techniques, you can enjoy your herbal bounty long after the growing season ends.

Air Drying

One of the oldest and easiest methods, air drying works great for herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme. Simply tie bunches together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry spot.

Dehydrating

Using a dehydrator speeds up the drying process and helps preserve flavor. It’s especially useful for tender herbs like mint or basil that can mold when air dried.

Freezing in Ice Cubes

Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil or water in ice cube trays. These cubes are perfect for tossing into soups, sauces, and sautés.

Making Herbal Vinegars

Infusing vinegar with fresh herbs adds a gourmet touch to salads and marinades. It also extends their flavor for months while looking pretty on your shelf.

Creating Compound Butters

Blend chopped herbs into softened butter, roll into a log, and freeze. Slice off a piece anytime you want to add a burst of herbal goodness to meals.

Storing in Salt

Layering herbs in salt draws out moisture and preserves both the flavor of the herb and the salt. This method works especially well with rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

Herb-Infused Oils

Steep herbs in oil for a fragrant, flavorful addition to cooking. Just be sure to store in the fridge and use within a week to avoid spoilage.

Drying for Herbal Teas

Dry gentle herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, and mint for custom tea blends. Store in airtight containers and enjoy soothing sips year-round.

Infusing in Alcohol

Preserve herbs in vodka or brandy to create tinctures or homemade extracts. It’s a powerful way to concentrate both flavor and potential wellness benefits.

Mixing Into Honey

Blend fresh herbs like thyme or lavender into raw honey for a sweet, soothing infusion. It’s perfect for sore throats, desserts, or tea.

Making Tinctures

Steeping herbs in high-proof alcohol for weeks creates potent herbal tinctures. A few drops can deliver concentrated herbal support when you need it.

Creating Herbal Salves

Combine dried herbs with oils and beeswax to make salves for skin care. Calendula, comfrey, and lavender are perfect for this soothing DIY project.

Don’t let your herbs wither away! With these easy preservation methods, you can stretch your herbal harvest all year long.