Can You Freeze Mint Leaves?
There might be a few reasons you have an abundance of mint leaves. It could be that you’ve had a bumper crop in your garden or that you’ve bought mint leaves for a recipe and then not ended up using them all.
Fresh herbs are one of those things that are so easy to buy with good intentions and then forget about in the fridge!
This post gives you two surefire methods you can use to freeze mint leaves so you can preserve them for another day and reduce food waste.
Can You Freeze Mint Leaves?
Yes, you can freeze mint leaves.
Like most herbs, mint leaves freeze well and will be fine in your freezer for up to six months.
You can freeze fresh mint leaves from your garden or mint that you have bought from the supermarket.
I find the best way to freeze mint leaves is to chop them up first and preserve them using a little water. They can then be popped straight into a dish from the freezer when needed.
You can also freeze whole mint leaves, which is perfect for using in cocktails such as mojitos where you want the appearance of whole mint leaves.
Of course, you could also allow the mint leaves to defrost before using too.
Either way, freezing mint leaves is a great way to preserve them for future use and prevent food waste.
Does Mint Freeze Well?
Yes, mint freezes well.
The main thing to remember is that frozen mint leaves may not look quite as fresh and vibrant as they did before freezing. Once defrosted, the leaves can become a little softer, so they are usually best used in cooking, drinks, sauces and desserts rather than as a fresh garnish.
Freezing mint is a great option if you have more than you can use straight away.
Can You Freeze Mint Leaves For Mojitos?
Yes, you can freeze mint leaves for mojitos.
Freezing whole mint leaves is actually a great way to preserve them ready for summer drinks. You can add the frozen mint leaves straight into your glass along with ice, and they will help keep your drink cold while releasing their flavour.
If you are freezing mint specifically for mojitos, I would recommend freezing the leaves whole rather than chopping them into ice cubes.
How To Freeze Mint Leaves
Freezing fresh mint is easy and there are just a few simple steps you need to follow.
Freezing mint leaves? Here’s what you’ll need:
- A knife
- A chopping board
- An ice cube tray
- Water
Using ice cube trays to freeze any type of herb is a great life hack. It means you can take out one or two cubes of herbs as needed, preventing waste.
Before starting this process, ensure all the leaves are still in a good, edible condition.
- Carefully wash the mint leaves and gently pat them dry with a tea towel.
- Remove any chunky bits of stalk and finely chop the mint leaves.
- Place the chopped mint into an ice cube tray.
- Before freezing, add a little water to each section of mint.
- Place the tray into the freezer until frozen.
Once frozen, you can pop out one or two cubes depending on how much mint is needed for a recipe.
That’s how I freeze mint leaves. This method can also be used for other herbs such as basil, parsley and chives.
A quick tip: If you use a plastic or white ice cube tray, be aware that herbs such as mint can sometimes stain them slightly. I personally prefer having a dedicated ice cube tray just for freezing herbs, as I wouldn’t want my normal ice cubes tasting like mint or looking a little green!
How To Freeze Whole Mint Leaves
The best method for freezing whole mint leaves (rather than chopped) is to use the flash freezing method.
To freeze whole mint leaves, lay the leaves out on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Place the tray into the freezer until the leaves are solid.
Once frozen, you can place the leaves into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container before putting them back into the freezer until needed.
This method works particularly well if you want to use the mint leaves in drinks, such as mojitos, where you want the leaves to stay whole.
How Long Do Mint Leaves Last In The Freezer?
Mint leaves will last for up to six months in the freezer.
After this time they will still be perfectly safe to eat but may begin to lose some of their mintiness or start to show signs of freezer burn.
I recommend always labelling your frozen mint leaves with the date they were frozen and when they need to be used up to avoid any confusion.
How To Defrost Frozen Mint Leaves
You could use your mint leaves straight from frozen, but if you need to defrost them first, the best way to do this is overnight in the fridge.
As mint leaves are quite small and delicate, they don’t take long to defrost, so you could also leave them to thaw on the countertop for an hour or two.
If you are adding frozen mint cubes into a hot dish, sauce or soup, there is usually no need to defrost them first.
How To Freeze Mint Leaves – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Freeze Fresh Mint From The Garden?
Yes, homegrown mint from the garden can be frozen as well as fresh mint from the grocery store.
In fact, freezing is a great way to preserve a bumper crop of mint if you have grown more than you can use.
Can You Freeze Mint Leaves Without Water?
Yes, you can freeze mint leaves without water.
The easiest way to do this is by flash freezing whole mint leaves on a tray before transferring them to a freezer bag.
However, I personally prefer freezing chopped mint with a little water in ice cube trays as it makes it really easy to add the perfect amount to recipes.
How Long Do Mint Leaves Last?
As they are, mint leaves will keep for around 7-10 days after they have been picked if kept in the fridge.
After this, they will start to deteriorate and may become inedible.
To increase the shelf life of your mint leaves, you can snip the stalks and place them into a small pot of water.
How To Freeze Other Herbs And Freezing Food Guides
If you’re looking for more advice on what foods can and can’t be frozen, take a look at our freezing food hub where you’ll find all of our freezing guides.
Mint isn’t the only herb that can be preserved in the freezer. You can also freeze many other fresh herbs using similar methods.
