How to Keep Herbs Fresh: Make Them Last for Weeks

The secret to keeping herbs fresh in the fridge is knowing that soft herbs and hard herbs like to be stored differently. Here’s how to keep herbs fresh, both kinds:

1. Trim the stems: Snip a little off the bottom of the stems, just like you would with flowers. This helps them drink up water.
   
   
2. For soft herbs (parsley, cilantro, dill): Stand them upright in a glass jar with an inch of water, like a bouquet, then cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag.
   
   
3. For hard herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage): Wrap them gently in a slightly damp paper towel, then place them in a loose plastic bag or container.
   
   
4. Store them right: Keep the jarred soft herbs and the wrapped hard herbs in the fridge. Basil is the one exception, so leave it on the counter, because the cold turns it black.
   
   
5. Refresh the water: For herbs in a jar, change the water every couple of days to keep them crisp.
   
   
6. Wash only before use: Don’t wash herbs before storing, because extra moisture speeds up rot. Rinse them only when you’re ready to cook.