If you grow oregano in your garden and find yourself having an abundance of it, then today is your lucky day, as we’re going to answer the question, “can I freeze fresh oregano?” Freezing this incredibly versatile herb is one way of the best ways to keep it fresh for a while longer. However, there are different ways you can freeze oregano leaves. In this article, I’ll go in-depth about freezing oregano and discuss the different ways you can do so. Then, I’ll explain the different methods of freezing oregano leaves step-by-step. Finally, I’ll share how you can add frozen oregano leaves to your recipes with (or without) thawing the herb.
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If you want to keep oregano for a long time or you have extra that you want to store, then freezing it is a great option. However, there are a few ways you can freeze oregano, so you can pick which one best suits your needs.
3 Options for Freezing Oregano
If you decide to freeze your oregano leaves, there are three ways you can go about it. Here are three typical ways that you can freeze oregano:
- Freeze oregano leaves individually
- Freeze oregano leaves with water
- Freeze oregano leaves in oil
All of the methods above are easy enough to do and will make your oregano last longer.
Once you harvest (or buy) your oregano leaves, first wash them. Then, thoroughly dry them in a salad spinner or pat them with a clean tea towel. Once the herb is completely dry, you can begin the freezing process. You can use a paper tea towel, but I find that reusable ones are more eco-friendly – here’s my guide to more eco-friendly tea towels.
How to Freeze Oregano
Freezing oregano is one of the easiest methods to keep oregano as fresh as possible. It’s a matter of rinsing the herbs, taking them off of their stems, and then letting them freeze in your freezer.
How to Freeze Fresh Oregano Leaves Individually
- Rinse oregano leaves in the sink. Then pat dry with a clean tea towel or dry them in a salad spinner.
- Once completely dried, lay parchment or baking paper on a baking sheet. Then, place the oregano leaves on the baking sheet without layering them or having them touch one another.
- Put the baking sheet inside your freezer and let the leaves freeze.
- Once frozen, you can put them in a plastic bag to keep inside the freezer. Only take out what you need when you need it. Seal the plastic bag without air and label the herbs with the date.
How to Freeze Oregano Leaves in Ice Cube Trays with Water
- Take the oregano leaves off their stems and then rinse thoroughly in the sink. Dry the leaves in a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean tea towel.
- Once completely dry, chop the oregano leaves as finely as you want. Some can be chopped fine, while other leaves can be chopped into bigger pieces if you like using different sizing for your recipes.
- Then, fill your ice cube tray halfway with water. Place the herbs inside each cell of the ice cube tray. Measure the number of herbs you add to each cell (such as a tablespoon). Freeze.
- Once frozen, fill the other half of each cube with more water and freeze again.
- As soon as your herbs are completely frozen, pop them out of the ice cube tray and put them into a plastic bag.
- Seal the bag tightly with no air, label the herb, and date it.
How to Freeze Oregano Leaves in Ice Cube Trays with Oil
- Strip the oregano leaves off their stems and wash them in the sink. Then, thoroughly dry them by patting with a clean tea towel or putting them in a salad spinner.
- Chop the oregano leaves finely, mixing them with the oil of your choice (such as olive oil) inside the ice cube trays. Measure how many herbs you put in each cube, so you know the measurement of oregano when cooking later.
- Once frozen, pop out the cubes and put them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly with no air. Then, label the herb and date it.
When using ice cube trays, make sure to take the herbs out of the ice cube trays as soon as they’re completely frozen. Otherwise, they could get freezer burn at the bottom of the tray or be exposed to too much air when the freezer door opens frequently.
How to Thaw Oregano (and use it)
You can pretty much skip thawing out frozen oregano. The frozen herb can thaw while it’s cooking with the recipe.
If you freeze individual oregano leaves, you can take them out of their bag and use them immediately. They don’t need much time to thaw out at all, and you can easily grab the amount you need.
If you freeze oregano leaves in ice cube trays with water or oil, you can pop out the ice cube and melt it in a frying pan.
It won’t take long. All you need to do is allow the ice cube to simmer on a frying pan on low heat so you can take the herbs out and use them for the recipe.
Alternatively, if you’re making a soup or stew, you can toss the ice cubes straight into the pot without thawing. They’ll melt inside the pot while cooking, and you’ll still get the flavour from the oregano.
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FAQs on Freezing Oregano
Got questions about freezing oregano? Or want to know more about how to freeze oregano and we haven’t answered your questions? Check out our frequently asked questions about freezing oregano below, or ask us yours in the comments.
Should you Freeze Dried Oregano?
Dried oregano lasts for about two to three years, but begins to lose its potency and flavour after six months or so. However, if you freeze oregano it can last for about a year without losing its flavour
So, can you dry out your oregano and then freeze it?
Yes, you can. Freezing dried oregano will elongate its shelf life by about half a year. However, it might be easier to skip the drying process and go straight to freezing.
How long does Frozen Oregano Last?
Frozen oregano will last about one year. Whether you freeze the leaves individually or put them in ice cube trays with water or oil, the oregano leaves will last you one year.
So, if you have extra oregano to spare, you can simply freeze them to use in recipes in the future. Remember, though, frozen oregano will be limp when thawed out. So, you’ll want to use it within a recipe rather than as a garnish.
All My Herb Freezing Guides
Final Words on How to Freeze Oregano
So, can you freeze oregano? The short answer is yes, and it’s one of the easiest methods to use to preserve your fresh oregano for longer. Oregano is a very versatile herb and prolonging its freshness is a great way to continue adding flavour and taste to your cooking for months and perhaps years to come!
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