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How Long Do Fresh Herbs Last in the Fridge?

Carrie Madormo, RNUpdated: May 20, 2020

Herbs in a jar

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Use these tips to help fresh herbs last weeks instead of days in the refrigerator.

We’ve all been there: You grab a bag of fresh herbs on your weekend grocery run and by Wednesday, they’re wilted and lifeless. Suddenly those tasty tacos you were so looking forward to have lost their flavor spark without the fresh cilantro.

Fresh herbs add bright flavors and vibrant colors to our favorite dishes. The only problem? They often don’t last as long as we need them. Here are a few ways to help your herbs last longer.

How to Store Fresh Herbs

During your weekly meal planning time, decide which days you’ll be cooking with fresh herbs so that you can take advantage of their peak freshness. Once you arrive home from the grocery store, immediately remove your fresh herbs from their plastic container and place them in a jar of water. Cover the jar with a plastic bag and cinch the bottom with a rubber band. Make sure to change the water every few days. This method can keep herbs fresh anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the herb. (For more details, check out this guide on how to store herbs the right way.)

If you know someone in your house is bound to knock over that jar of water, place your fresh herbs in a plastic bag between sheets of dry paper towel. The paper towels will absorb extra moisture, preventing premature wilting.

Fresh herbs can also be kept in a jar of water on your kitchen counter. Think of them as flowers and trim the ends before placing them in your vase. This countertop method is perfect for more delicate herbs like fresh basil.

How Long Do Fresh Herbs Last in the Fridge?

By storing your fresh herbs in water, you can extend their freshness by weeks. More delicate herbs like basil and cilantro can be kept for about 1 week but heartier herbs like rosemary and oregano may last up to 3 weeks.

Claire Krieger/Taste of Home

Try These Recipes with Fresh Herbs

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blueberry, basil and goat cheese pie

Taste of Home

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Herbed Feta Dip

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Lemon-Thyme Bread

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Honey-Thyme Butter

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Pineapple and Mint Infused Water

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Salmon Dill SoupThis is the best soup I have ever made, according to my husband, who loves salmon so much that he could eat it every day. It's a treat for both of us, so when I get some, I try to make it a very special dish like this one. —Hidemi Walsh, Plainfield, Indiana

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Strawberry Tarragon Chicken Salad

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Minted Beet Salad

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sliced cucumbers in a dish

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Originally Published: May 20, 2020

Carrie Madormo, RN

Now a freelance health and food writer, Carrie worked as a nurse for over a decade. When she isn't hunched over her laptop with a baby in hand, you will find her cooking her grandmother’s recipes, lacing up her running shoes or sipping coffee in the bathroom to hide from her three young children.