Herbs
Herbs are an amazing food to have in the home. They have many different uses such as adding flavour to cooking, infused as a tea and added to salads or to cold drinks and cocktails. You can buy herbs fresh, dried or frozen. A wide range of herbs are available in our shops and they are also easy to grow at home.
How to store
How to store fresh or dried herbs
Keep fresh herbs in their original packaging in the fridge. For 'Living/potted' herbs, follow the instructions on the packaging or consider re-potting. Dried herbs should be kept in the cupboard.
Freezing herbs
Herbs can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Herbs top tips
How to freeze and defrost
To freeze: It’s worth freezing herbs that you use regularly, such as mint, parsley, chives, and tarragon. Wash and dry them before freezing whole in freezer bags, or chopped into ice cube trays covered with water.
To defrost: They can be cooked from frozen in casseroles, stews and sauces. Or, if adding to salads or to drinks, defrost in the fridge overnight.
Eating the whole food
The stalks are just as tasty as the leafy parts of parsley, coriander, basil and mint. Chop into dips and sauces, blitz into pesto or sprinkle onto savoury dishes.
Be fabulous with leftovers
Mix crushed garlic and leftover herbs with butter to make homemade garlic bread (you can use any kind of bread) or to brush onto meat or fish. You can freeze unused herbs in olive oil in individual portions to use another time - use an ice-cube tray to freeze cubes which you can then pop into the pot or pan while you’re cooking.
Buying tips
Think about swapping fresh herbs for frozen. Frozen foods last a long time in the freezer, you can use as much as you need when you need to and they can often be a cheaper option. Or consider using dried herbs, when appropriate.
Perfect portions
Use our portion calculator for a quick and simple way to check how much of this food to serve at mealtimes.
Valuing your Herbs beyond the price tag
Goodness in food
Your food is more than its shape, colour and price. Your food has an important role to play to help keep you healthy and with enough energy to live your life how you wish to.
- Some herbs such as coriander, thyme, parsley are high in vitamin C which helps to protect cells and keep them healthy.
Food story
By the time your food arrives in your home, it’s already been on quite a journey starting with how it’s made or grown and how your food reaches the supermarket.
So please help our food to finish its story in the most sustainable way, ensuring the planet’s resources that’s already used are put to good use. Take care of your food when it’s in your home and ensure every edible morsel is eaten - and that your food doesn’t end up in the bin!
Why not try these delicious recipes to use up Herbs
A delicious zero waste brunch, which uses the whole potato, parsnip, broccoli, spring onion and herbs (stalks, peels and all). Or swap out for any leftover veggies you have at home!
Italian-style breadcrumbs, flavoured with herbs, garlic and lemon zest. Use generously to add a dash of texture and a pop of flavour to anything from pasta, soups, risotto and salads. Just sprinkle a good helping on top.
