Pictured Recipe:Cucumber-Mint Spritzer
No matter how ambitious the cook, it seems like there are never enough ways to use mint before it wilts. As with many herbs, fresh mint has a very short shelf life, but you can extend it with a few different storing methods. Here, we’ll tell you how to store fresh mint four different ways so it doesn’t go to waste, plus two ways to freeze your fresh mint.
On the Counter
You can leave fresh mint on the counter in a bit of water. This method requires the least amount of effort.
If you change the water when it gets cloudy, the mint should last about a week.
In the Refrigerator
This method works really well, but requires a little more engineering.
You don’t have to change the water with this method. The leaves may start to droop a little after a week, but they should stay nice and green (and usable) for about three weeks.
Paper Towel and Plastic Bag
This method works well too—and skips the jar of water.
Your mint won’t have the same snap as it did when you bought it, but it will remain fresh and green for at least three weeks with this method.
Green Salad with Peaches, Feta & Mint Vinaigrette
Paper Towel and an Airtight Container
The leaves will stay green with this method for about two weeks.
Mint Vinaigrette
How to Freeze Fresh Mint
In Ice Cubes
You can also freeze mint, but don’t expect your frozen mint sprigs to turn out the same as they were when they were fresh. Frozen mint can still be used in sauces and drinks.
You can keep these in the freezer for up to six months, which makes the ice cube method practical, but uses are limited—thawing the cubes (place the cubes in a strainer over a bowl to drain the water) results in a soggy pile of mint. Rather than thawing mint ice cubes, keep them in cube form to use in smoothies or to chill a glass of lemonade.
On a Baking Sheet
With a baking sheet, you can freeze whole fresh mint leaves to preserve their shape, making it easy to snip with kitchen shears when you’re ready to use it—no thawing required.
Now that you know how to store mint, here are a few ways you can use it.
Green Jasmine-Mint Iced Tea with Lemon
Strawberry Chicken Salad with Mint & Goat Cheese
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