Can you freeze mint leaves? Mint is a versatile herb. It can be used for cooking, baking and blending drinks. Mint adds a delicious kick to any drink or dish, and we’re happy to report that this herb freezes so well.
In fact, mint leaves can be frozen in a variety of ways. In today’s post we will outline 4 ways of freezing mint leaves. How you choose to freeze the herb is entirely up to you! These methods apply to a variety of herbs with the exception of mint leaves.
Preparing the coin sheets for freezing
To start, always choose the freshest, healthiest mint leaves you can find at your local supermarket or in your garden. Since herbs are at their most flavorful in the morning, we recommend freezing the mint leaves at this time.
After picking the best mint leaves you can find, rinse the herbs well but do so gently. Mint leaves are prone to bruises. Remove any wilting leaves and other debris. When the mint leaves are clean, pat them dry with a paper towel. If you have time, let them air dry for a few minutes. You want to make sure the herbs are as dry as possible before moving on to the next step.
Cut off the stems of the leaves and set aside. At this point you can cut the leaves to the desired size. You can also leave them uncut. Now the mint leaves are ready to freeze.
How do you freeze mint leaves?
Freezing the mint leaves
This is a great freezing method if you’re pressed for time and don’t plan to store the herbs long-term. Spread the clean and dry mint leaves on a lined baking sheet or baking sheet. Be careful not to touch the mint leaves as you place them on the baking sheet. If you’re freezing a lot of mint leaves, do it in batches.
Stick the baking sheet or baking sheet in the freezer and allow the herbs to freeze for an hour or two. After an hour or two, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the frozen mint leaves in a resealable plastic bag. Before sealing, squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the bag. Write the storage date and tape the baking sheet flat in the freezer.
Freezing the mint leaves in the water
This is a great freezing method if you plan to prolong the freshness and color of the leaves. Also ideal for the production of drinks!
After preparing the mint leaves for freezing, you can either chop them roughly or leave them whole. Take out some ice cube trays and use a spoon to scoop the herb pieces into each section of the tray. Repeat this process until all of the ice cube sections are filled with the mint leaves. Pour a little filtered water into each ice cube, do not fill the section to the brim. The mint leaves will float if there is too much water and they will make a mess.
After filling the ice tray with water, pop the trays into the freezer. Let the herbs freeze solid for at least 2 hours. Once the herbs are frozen solid, remove the bowl from the freezer. Remove the herb cubes from the bowl and place them carefully in a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing and closing the dish. Write down the storage date and lay flat in the freezer.
Read Also: Can you freeze baked beans?
Freezing the mint leaves in oil
This freezing method is perfect for storing herbs used in soups, stews and sauces. You can also use this trick to freeze oregano or thyme.
After preparing the mint leaves for freezing, place the herb in a food processor, add about ¼ cup of olive oil and mix on a pulse until slightly lumpy. Prepare an ice cube tray. Pour the blended mint leaves into each section of the ice cube tray. Again, don’t fill each section to the brim or the mix will overflow and create a mess.
Once the ice cube tray is filled with the blended mint leaves, place in the freezer. Let the herbs freeze solid for at least 2 hours. Once the herbs are frozen solid, remove the bowl from the freezer. Cut the herb cubes into cubes and carefully place in a resealable plastic bag. Work quickly because the warmth of your hands will melt the frozen oil.
Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing and then sealing. Write down the storage date and lay flat in the freezer.
Drying and freezing the mint leaves
This technique helps to intensify the herb’s flavor while extending its shelf life. After cleaning the herbs, place the leaves on a microwave-safe dish. Pat the leaves dry or allow them to air dry for at least an hour. Once the herbs are nice and dry, place the bowl in the microwave, then let it burn on high for 1 to 3 minutes, pausing every 30 seconds to turn each leaf over to dry evenly.
After the leaves have dried, gently place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Write down the storage date and then stick them in the freezer.
Storage and freezing tips
Aside from using a microwave to dry the mint leaves, you can also use a food dryer. You can also roast the mint leaves in the oven at 170 degrees for 2 to 3 hours until completely dry.
Release the aroma of thawed mint by crushing it between your palms before adding it to your favorite dish or drink.
Air-drying the mint leaves before packaging them for freezing is also a great way to extend the herbs’ shelf life. Simply allow the mint leaves to air dry for 1 to 2 weeks, then bag to freeze.
Always use distilled water or sparkling water when freezing the mint leaves with water. This minimizes the risk of contamination after thawing.
Shelf life and thawing suggestions
Frozen fresh mint leaves can be stored in the freezer for at least 3 months. If dried, dehydrated, or roasted before freezing, the herbs will keep for at least 6 months.
It is not necessary to thaw the mint when using it in cooking or as an ingredient in drinks. Simply place the deep-frozen herbs directly into the cooking bowl and the intense heat will defrost the herbs by themselves. For the drinks, it is best to use mint leaves frozen in water or dried mint leaves. Simply add a mint leaf cube to your drink and it will slowly thaw as it cools your drink!
summary
Can you freeze mint leaves? Fresh mint leaves are not available year-round, so it’s good to know that this herb freezes so well! Any of the freezing methods we’ve outlined above will work regardless of the time of year. Just choose the method that suits the drink or recipe you’re making!