Cooking with fresh herbs is truly special. Their bold flavors and smells make any dish better. But what if you could keep that fresh taste even after the growing season ends? You can! Preserving herbs in oil or butter is a great way to hold onto their goodness. You will have them ready when you need a burst of flavor in your cooking. It’s easy to do with some extra virgin olive oil, your favorite herbs, and a few basic kitchen tools. Get ready to make your meals shine with preserved herbs!
Best Herbs for Oil Preservation
Some herbs are better for preserving in oil. Herbs that are sturdy and have less moisture last longer and keep their flavor well when covered in oil.
These herbs make the oil fragrant and also keep their feel and taste for a long time. So, the next time you have a lot of these lovely herbs, think about saving their fresh scent in a bottle of tasty oil.
Understanding Oil’s Preservation Properties
Olive oil is great for keeping herbs fresh. It has a natural chemistry that helps stop spoilage. The antioxidants in olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, are important for making herbs last longer.
Olive oil also creates a barrier that keeps the herbs’ essential oils inside. This barrier stops moisture from getting in. Moisture can let bacteria and mold grow, which ruin the taste and quality of the herbs.
By reducing exposure to air and light, olive oil keeps the herbs’ bright color and flavor. This way, your herbal infusions stay fresh and smell good for a long time.
Top Herbs Suited for Oil Preservation
Many herbs do well when preserved in oil. Rosemary, thyme, and oregano are some of the best choices. These hardy herbs have strong flavors and keep their taste and smell really well in oil. Basil, which has a sweet and slightly peppery flavor, can also be preserved in oil. It adds a nice Italian touch to your meals.
Here are some top picks:
Basil: Drizzle over grilled or roasted vegetables, tomatoes, or pasta. Use as a base for pesto or marinades.
Oregano: Add to pizza, pasta sauces, or grilled meats. Use in Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Thyme: Season roasted poultry, lamb, or fish. Add to soups, stews, and sauces.
Rosemary: Flavor roasted potatoes, lamb, or beef. Use in marinades for grilled meats.
Sage: Add to stuffing, sausage, or pork. Use in dishes with poultry or seafood.
Marjoram: Use in Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as lamb kebabs or Greek salad. Add to soups and stews.
Pick high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and to keep your oils fresh. Also, clean your jars very well before using them. This stops germs and helps your herb-infused oils last longer.
How To Preserve Herbs In Oil
- Sterilize containers: Wash jars or containers with hot soapy water, then rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
- Pack herbs: Add fresh or dried herbs to the sterilized containers. For fresh herbs, you can use whole leaves, chopped leaves, or sprigs. For dried herbs, use a combination of whole and chopped herbs.
- Pour oil: Pour extra virgin olive oil over the herbs, making sure they are completely covered.
- Seal and store: Seal the container tightly and store in a cool, dark place, such as the refrigerator.
One convenient way to store herbs in oil is to put them into cube trays, chill, top with a little more oil, and then freeze. Here are some cube trays that would be perfect for this.
Best Herbs for Butter Preservation
Oil is great for keeping hearty herbs fresh. Butter, on the other hand, is a creamy choice that holds the lighter flavors of other herbs very well. The herbs that work best with butter usually have more moisture and get help from the fat in butter.
When you mix these herbs with butter, you make tasty additions that can boost many meals. You can use them in spreads, sauces, or on roasted meats and veggies.
Why Butter is a Great Preservative
Butter is high in fat, which helps it keep delicate herbs fresh. The fat molecules wrap around the herbs and protect their flavors. This stops the flavors from going bad over time. This protection also helps keep the herbs’ color, smell, and strength. As a result, your flavored butters stay fresh even after weeks in the freezer.
Keeping herb-infused butters in the freezer is best because it stops oxidation. This helps to keep their quality for a long time. Unlike herbs in oil, which can stay at room temperature for a shorter time, herb butters should be frozen to keep their best flavor and texture.
Using butter’s ability to preserve along with freezer storage is a great way to make your favorite herbs last longer. You can enjoy their strong flavors all year round.
Ideal Herbs for Butter Infusion
Herbs that have gentle flavors and soft leaves are great for mixing into butter. Their light scents and textures go really well with the rich and creamy butter. You can use these flavored butters in many ways. For example, you can mix them into creamy pasta, spread them on crusty bread, or use them on grilled meats and vegetables.
Here are some tasty herbs that do well when mixed with butter:
Parsley: Spread on sandwiches or toast. Use as a finishing touch for roasted vegetables or fish.
Dill: Serve with smoked salmon, potatoes, or fish. Use in Scandinavian-inspired dishes.
Chives: Add to mashed potatoes, omelets, or scrambled eggs. Use as a finishing touch for soups or stews.
Tarragon: Use in French-inspired dishes, such as chicken or fish. Add to vinaigrettes or aioli.
Lemon Verbena: Flavor desserts, such as cakes or cookies. Use in citrus-infused dishes.
These herbs bring out their flavors nicely in butter. This creates a mix of tastes that can make both simple and fancy dishes even better.
How To Preserve Herbs In Butter
- Soften butter: Let butter soften to room temperature.
- Chop herbs: Chop fresh herbs finely.
- Combine: Mix chopped herbs with softened butter until well combined.
- Pack into container: Pack the herb-butter mixture into sterilized containers.
- Seal and store: Seal the container tightly and store in the refrigerator.
while you can just make a roll of herb butter and store that, you can also fancy it up by using butter molds. These don’t affect the flavor, but definitely punch up your presentation.
Preserving herbs in oil or butter is a simple yet rewarding culinary technique.
By understanding the properties of these mediums and selecting the appropriate herbs, you can elevate your dishes with fresh, vibrant flavors throughout the year. Whether you prefer the robust taste of oil-infused herbs or the delicate nuances of herb-infused butter, this method offers a convenient way to enjoy the bounty of nature’s aromatic gifts. Experiment with different combinations and discover new flavor profiles to enhance your cooking experiences.
