If you’ve ever brought home fresh basil only to find it wilted and unusable a day or two later, you’re not alone. Fresh herbs can be tricky to store, but Rachael Ray has a simple trick to extend basil’s life significantly.
In a recent snippet from Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes shared on her Instagram, Ray teaches fans how to prepare Lucca-style pesto pasta inspired by her Tuscany travels. But the real highlight in the clip is her advice on preserving basil so it stays fresh for weeks.
Stop Storing Basil the Wrong Way
“When you bring basil home from the store, never ever just throw it in the fridge,” Ray warns in the episode. “You will kill it, it will turn black, and you’ll have a very short life for the basil.”
Instead of refrigerating it, Ray suggests treating your basil like a bouquet of fresh flowers. Here’s her method: Trim the ends of the stems and place them in a wide jar filled with water. Cover the top of the leaves with a plastic storage bag, creating a mini greenhouse effect, and leave on the counter.
“Change the water every couple of days, just like you would for flowers,” Ray explains. “We keep the basil under a bag to make a little greenhouse for it.”
Why This Works
Basil is a delicate herb that thrives in warm, humid environments. To protect it from the cold and dryness of the fridge, store it upright in water and cover the leaves. This method keeps your basil vibrant and fragrant for up to two weeks, helping you maximize the use of every leaf.
Ready to try it? Check out the full clip from Rachael Ray’s Instagram below:
More Herb-Saving Tips
Ray’s method works for basil, but you can adapt it for other herbs like cilantro or parsley. Store them upright in a glass of water and loosely cover with a bag. With these tricks, your herbs can last 10 times longer—saving money and reducing food waste.
Next time you bring home fresh basil, skip the fridge and try this waste-saving tip instead.
