Can You Freeze Rosemary? 2 Freezing Methods

Rosemary is a popular herb that is used in many cuisines to give them an added flavor and fragrance. If you enjoy cooking with rosemary, you may buy a packet of rosemary since most supermarkets don’t sell just 1 sprig. These herbs need to be stored in the fridge to remain fresh, but rosemary doesn’t last very long stored in there. What if you want to keep it fresh longer? Can rosemary be stored in the freezer?

So can you freeze rosemary? Yes, you can freeze rosemary. You can freeze this herb using the flash freezing or the ice cube method. Both methods will keep the rosemary fresh for up to 6 months in the freezer. However, you’ll want to use them within 3-4 months for best taste.

Contents show

Does Rosemary Freeze Well?

Rosemary has a thin texture and for that reason, this herb will freeze well. You can either freeze them fresh or using the ice cube method.

Once frozen, rosemary will stay fresh in the freezer for a very long time. The shelf life of rosemary is 6 months in the freezer.

However, you will want to use them before then for the best taste.

How To Freeze Rosemary

There are two methods of freezing rosemary. It will depend on what you’ll be using the herb for.

For roasting potatoes, vegetables, or chickens, you can use the flash freezing method. This will help prevent the herb from sticking to each other while it’s frozen. Also, it will be easier for you to take the right amount of rosemary you need without having to thaw the entire container.

On the other hand, for recipes that require mixing or blending such as stews, soups, or making sauces, you can freeze rosemary as ice cubes.

Below are the instructions for preparing and freezing rosemary:

Flash Freezing Rosemary

Place the rosemary under running water to remove any dirt and debris from it.
In a colander, place the herb in there for about 5 minutes to let them drip dry.
Using a dry paper towel, pat the herb gently to remove any excess water from it.
On a clean tray, lay a sheet of baking or wax paper on it.
Place each rosemary onto the tray, keeping them spaced between each other.
Put the tray of rosemary into the freezer.
Flash freeze the herb for 2-3 hours.
Once it’s completely frozen, remove them from the freezer.
Immediately transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure it’s big enough to accommodate the herb.
If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove any excess air from it.
Seal the bag or airtight container tight and label it with the freezing date.
Place them into the freezer.

Using this method, it’s best to freeze the rosemary with the springs. This will make it easier to handle them.

Freezing Rosemary As an Ice Cube

Start by removing the leaves from the sprig of the rosemary.
You can either finely dice the leaves or use the leaves as a whole.
In the ice cube tray, pack the leaves in each slot.
Pour olive oil in the slot, making sure rosemary is fully submerged.
Cover the entire tray with a cling wrapper.
Place it into the freezer for about 5-6 hours.
Once completely frozen, remove the herb from the freezer.
Immediately transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove excess air from it.
Seal the freezer bag or the airtight container tight.
Label the bag or container with the freezing date and place them into the freezer.

How Do You Defrost Rosemary?

With rosemary, you don’t need to defrost them whether it’s frozen as a fresh herb or an ice cube.

Due to their thin texture, you don’t need to thaw them overnight or place them in warm water.

For using rosemary in soups, stews, or stir-fry, you can take as much as you need from the freezer and place it straight into the pan while it’s cooking.

For making dipping sauces, you can place the herb last once all the ingredients have been mixed.

How Long Can You Freeze Rosemary?

Rosemary will last 4 to 6 months in the freezer. If you freeze them as an ice cube, they tend to last a little longer than flash-freezing them.

After about 6 months, the herb will still be safe to eat, but the quality of it will deteriorate. You may notice the rosemary is a little bland.

Therefore, for the best quality, it’s best to use rosemary within 3 to 4 months.

Can You Refreeze Rosemary?

It’s not recommended to refreeze rosemary. Like most other herbs, rosemary should only be frozen once. After it thaws, it will lose some of its flavor and texture.

By refreezing the herb again, the texture and taste will deteriorate even further. For that reason, it’s best to only remove as much rosemary that you need from the freezer to avoid having to refreeze them.