If you have an abundance of sage leaves and you want them to last as long as possible (without drying them out), then you can consider freezing them. This article will answer the big question, “can I freeze sage leaves?” Then, I’ll detail different ways you can freeze this herb and how to freeze it. After, I’ll share a step-by-step guide for my favourite way of how to freeze sage leaves. Finally, I’ll discuss how long it lasts and how to thaw it out for cooking.
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Can you Freeze Fresh Sage Leaves?
If you’re wondering, “Can I freeze fresh sage?” then this is the right place to be.
The short answer is yes. You can freeze sage leaves. In fact, freezing sage leaves is a great way to preserve this herb for much longer. There are many pros and cons to freezing sage leaves. Also, there are a few different ways to go about freezing this herb.
4 Different Options for Freezing Sage
If you’re looking to keep this herb for a much longer period, then you can easily store it in the freezer. The freezer will make the sage taste stronger, but it’ll begin to lose its flavour after about six months or so. Regardless, you can get creative when it comes to freezing sage. For example, you can do the following:
- Freeze full fresh sage leaves or crushed sage leaves in a plastic bag
- Place fresh full sage leaves or crushed sage leaves in ice cube trays with water
- Put the fresh full sage leaves or crushed sage leaves in an ice cube tray with cooking oil
- Mix fresh sage herbs (full leaves or crushed) with other herbs in an ice cube tray with water, oil, or put them in a plastic bag
You don’t need to stick with the one freezing method, either. If you have a lot of sage leaves, you can freeze some in a bag and others in an ice cube with water.
TOP TIP: If you know what you’re going to use the sage for, you can freeze them accordingly so that it’s easier for you to add them to your recipes later.
How to Freeze Sage Leaves
There are a few different methods you can use to freeze sage. As mentioned above, you can freeze sage alone, in water, oil, or mixed with other herbs.
One way you can freeze sage is to simply put the full sage leaves in a plastic bag or freezer-safe bag. Then, you can place it in the freezer.
That’s all there is to it. You don’t need to add paper towels to the bag or anything. The leaves on their own will be fine in the bag.
However, be sure to lay the sage leaves down in a single layer. Otherwise, if the sage leaves overlap one another, then they’ll get stuck together, and it’ll be harder for you to take them out when you need them.
My preferred method of freezing sage is to use the ice cube tray method.
How to Freeze Fresh Sage Leaves in Ice Cubes
Let’s talk about how to freeze sage herbs as ice cubes. You can customize this method as much as you want.
Step 1: Prepare your Fresh Sage Leaves for Freezing
First, you’ll want to make sure your fresh sage leaves are ready for freezing. If the leaves are not already picked off the stalk, pinch and pull them off the sage plant’s stem. There’s more on harvesting (and growing) sage in my full growing sage guide here.
After harvesting your fresh sage from your garden you’ll want to wash the leaves.
Simply run the leaves under cool, running water in your hand or a colander. Then, dry them thoroughly by patting them with a tea towel or using a salad spinner.
Now, you can leave the leaves whole or cut them into smaller pieces. Alternatively, you can chop them up into tiny pieces so that it’s easier to fit into the ice cube tray.
I recommend chopping them up so that you can measure out the amount as well.
Step 2: Measure the Amount of Sage To Add To The Ice Cubes
Before adding your chopped sage leaves to the ice cube cells, measure out the amount you want in each cube.
You don’t need to measure it out if you don’t want to, but adding one or two tablespoons of sage to each cube is a good idea.
This way, when you need to pop out the ice cubes and use the sage for cooking, you know how much you have in each cube. In addition, it’ll be easier for you to toss the sage into a recipe without needing to thaw out the ice cube and measure out the amount of sage you put in there.
Step 3: Add Water, Oil, or Other Herbs to The Ice Cubes
Once you’ve measured out your sage and put them in each ice cube cell, now it’s time to fill it with something else.
First, you can add other herbs with it if you want. Then, when you need them later for a dish, you can add mixed herbs to the recipe.
Whether you add other herbs or not, you need to decide whether to add water or oil for your sage leaves to freeze in.
Water will allow your sage to freeze well, and you can toss an ice cube into any recipe, such as soup or stew.
Alternatively, you can measure out cooking oil. Then, if you need the sage for flavouring another dish, you can toss it in a pan. The sage will thaw in the pan with cooking oil, killing two birds with one stone for your recipe. I *always* use olive oil. And a decent quality virgin olive oil. Not an extra virgin, just a regular virgin, with as little flavour as possible.
If you decide to add oil rather than water, make sure to measure it out. For example, if you have certain recipes in mind, you can measure the amount of oil and sage leaves to complete part of the recipe.
Step 4: Once Frozen, Store the Cubes in A Bag
Once your sage leaves are frozen solid in the ice cube tray, you don’t want to leave them there. If left in the tray, they could get freezer burn.
So, after about 24 hours or so, check on them. If they’re frozen, you can pop them out of the ice cube tray and put the cubes in a plastic bag. Then leave them in the freezer.
Label the plastic bag to know how long the sage has been frozen.
If you have more, now you can use the ice cube tray again to freeze more sage or other herbs.
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How to Thaw Sage (and use it)
Depending on how you freeze your sage leaves (and what you need to use them for), you won’t need to worry about thawing them at all.
For example, if you froze sage leaves in an ice cube and you need it for a soup or stew, then you can put the ice cube directly into the pot while it’s cooking.
It won’t hurt the recipe or the flavour of the dish to put the ice cube directly in the pot.
Alternatively, if you didn’t freeze your sage in an ice cube tray or you need the herb for meat, then you can thaw it as you would anything else.
For instance, you can leave the sage on the counter over a clean tea towel (don’t use a paper towel, it’s likely to go a bit mushy!) or plate. Then, when it’s melted enough, you can add your sage to whatever recipe you’re currently cooking. My guide to the best eco-friendly tea towels is here.
However, if it’s in an ice cube, you can leave it in a bowl or plate and wait for it to melt. Then, you can simply take the sage leaf and add it to the other ingredients.
Luckily, you won’t need to wait too long for it to thaw. If it takes a while, you can rinse it under some warm water. It won’t harm the herb at all.
Looking for more information on sage? My guide to the difference between using fresh and dried sage is here.
FAQs on Freezing Sage
Got questions about freezing sage? Or want to know more about how to freeze sage and we haven’t answered your questions? Check out our frequently asked questions about freezing sage below, or ask us yours in the comments.
Should you Freeze Dried Sage?
Dried sage leaves can last for one to three years. As long as they’re appropriately stored in a clear glass container or jar with a tightly closed lid, your dried sage does not need to be frozen. You can read about drying sage here.
You can, however, if you want, add dried sage to ice cube trays if you plan to use them for a soup or stew later on, especially since you can freeze sage in oil rather than water. However, it’s easier to store it in a container rather than in the freezer.
How long does Frozen Sage last?
Freezing sage will keep its flavour strong for up to six months. However, sage can last for about a year in the freezer. When putting sage leaves in the freezer, be sure to label the bag or whatever you freeze it in with the current date. Then, you can keep track of how long the sage leaves may last.
All My Herb Freezing Guides
Final Words on Freezing Sage
Freezing fresh sage leaves is a great idea to have them last longer. In addition, it’s a great way to pre-measure this herb for specific recipes and have it at the ready when you begin cooking. Luckily, freezing this herb is simple and easy to do.
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