Fresh herbs are a great way to enhance the flavor of your cooking, but their shelf life can leave something to be desired. If your herbs keep going bad before you can use them up, worry not! There are a variety of different ways you can preserve your fresh herbs and increase their life span. Here are 4 brilliantly simple hacks that will keep your herbs tasting fresh for longer!

Herb Hack 1: Keep Basil Hydrated

Basil is one of the most versatile herbs around. It can be used to make a delicious pesto sauce, sprinkled on pizza and sandwiches, or paired with fresh mozzarella for a savory caprese salad. To keep your basil tasting fresh, simply store it in a Mason jar full of water at room temperature. Then, pluck off leaves whenever you want, leaving the rest of the basil in the water to stay hydrated.

Herb Hack 2: Roll Up Hearty Herbs

One of the best ways to store hearty herbs like rosemary and thyme is also one of the most simple! Simply roll up your herbs in a damp paper towel and place them in a resealable plastic bag. Then, keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to start cooking. For extra style, add labels to the bags to keep your herbs organized, and store the baggies in a transparent tray.

Herb Hack 3: Preserve Soft Herbs In a Mason Jar

For softer, more fragile herbs like parsley and cilantro, skip the paper towel and grab a Mason jar instead! Fill each Mason jar halfway with water, add the herbs to the jar, and then cover them loosely with plastic. Unlike basil, these herbs should be kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.

Herb Hack 4: Make Herb Butter

Perhaps the tastiest way to keep fresh herbs preserved is to make herb butter! Start by using a fork to cream room temperature butter, then mix in your favorite herbs. Parsley, rosemary, and thyme make for a particularly delicious combination. For an extra flavor boost, feel free to mix in some minced garlic as well. Once the butter is well-mixed, roll it up in wax paper, twist the ends, and refrigerate or freeze the butter. You can use herb butter for cooking or simply spread it on bread for a delicious appetizer.

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