How to store fresh herbs, from mint and rosemary to dried herbs
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 7-10 days
Store fresh herbs in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and count the 7 to 10 days from the day you buy them.
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Freezer
Keeps for 1-2 months
Freeze fresh herbs for 1 to 2 months from the date of purchase.
Watch out USDA FoodKeeper warns that freeze damage will appear on mint, rosemary, oregano, and chives.
Fresh herbs last 7 to 10 days in the fridge and 1 to 2 months in the freezer, counted from the day you buy them. Mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and chives last longer, 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge or 1 to 2 weeks in the pantry. USDA FoodKeeper warns that freeze damage will appear on mint, rosemary, oregano, and chives. Dried herbs keep 1 to 2 years in the pantry.
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Fresh herbs last 7 to 10 days in the fridge and 1 to 2 months in the freezer, counted from the day you buy them. Those are the USDA FoodKeeper times for herbs in general, and some herbs have longer times of their own.
Mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and chives last 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge. Lemongrass keeps 7 to 9 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer. Basil, cilantro, and parsley each have a guide of their own.
How long do fresh herbs last?
Fresh herbs in general last 7 to 10 days in the fridge, while mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and chives last 2 to 3 weeks. The table shows the USDA FoodKeeper times for each kind.
| Herb | Pantry | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh herbs in general | No time given | 7 to 10 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Mint | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | Freeze damage will appear |
| Rosemary | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | Freeze damage will appear |
| Thyme | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | No time given |
| Oregano | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | Freeze damage will appear |
| Chives | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | Freeze damage will appear |
| Lemongrass | No time given | 7 to 9 days | 6 months |
| Dried herbs | 1 to 2 years, opened or not | No time given | No time given |
How to store fresh herbs
Store fresh herbs in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. The FDA names herbs among the perishable produce that belongs there.
Pick herbs that aren’t bruised or damaged. If you buy them pre-cut or packaged, choose ones that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice, and keep them in the fridge at home.
How to store mint
Store fresh mint in the fridge, where it lasts 2 to 3 weeks. In the pantry it keeps 1 to 2 weeks, so the fridge buys you more time, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
How to store fresh rosemary
Fresh rosemary lasts 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 weeks in the pantry. Like mint, it keeps longer in the fridge than at room temperature.
How to store fresh thyme
Fresh thyme keeps 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge or 1 to 2 weeks in the pantry. Oregano and chives have the same FoodKeeper times.
How to store lemongrass
Lemongrass lasts 7 to 9 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer. Both times count from the date of purchase.
How to store dried herbs
Keep dried herbs in the pantry, where they last 1 to 2 years from the date of purchase. Once you open them, they still keep 1 to 2 years.
Can you freeze fresh herbs?
Yes, fresh herbs keep 1 to 2 months in the freezer, counted from the day you buy them, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Lemongrass lasts longer frozen, 6 months from the date of purchase.
Can you freeze mint, rosemary, and chives?
You’ll see freeze damage if you do, USDA FoodKeeper warns, and it gives no freezer time for mint, rosemary, chives, or oregano. The fridge keeps them for 2 to 3 weeks instead.
How to wash fresh herbs
Wash fresh herbs under plain running water before you prepare or eat them, rubbing them gently as you rinse. Skip soap, detergent, and produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them, the FDA explains.
Dry the herbs with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further. Washing lowers the number of bacteria but doesn’t remove all of them.
When to throw fresh herbs away
Throw fresh herbs away when they look rotten, as the FDA advises for all produce. If only some leaves are bruised or damaged, cut those away before you prepare or eat the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How long does mint last in the fridge?
Mint lasts 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. In the pantry it keeps 1 to 2 weeks.
How long does rosemary last in the fridge?
Rosemary lasts 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Do fresh herbs need to be refrigerated?
The FDA advises storing herbs in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and chives also keep 1 to 2 weeks in the pantry, versus 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Do dried herbs go bad after opening?
Dried herbs keep 1 to 2 years in the pantry after opening, the same time USDA FoodKeeper gives them unopened.
Do you need soap to wash herbs?
No, there's no need for soap or produce wash, the FDA says. Rub the herbs gently under plain running water instead.
