Can You Freeze Mint Leaves?

If you've ever had a garden with mint you know once it takes root it grows like crazy. But, once the weather turns the mint will disappear just as quickly as it showed up. Then you're left for the rest of the cold months, prime hot tea with fresh mint time, with no mint to be had. You'll be pleased to know that not only can you freeze mint leaves but there are several ways to do it and all of them are pretty easy!

You can freeze mint leaves either fresh or dehydrated. Depending on the method you use, frozen mint leaves will keep for 3 or 6 months. There's no need to defrost them as you can just add them to a recipe or drink and they will thaw automatically.

Keep reading to find out which freezing method works best for you!

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Can you freeze mint leaves?

Mint leaves actually freeze very well. In fact, unlike most foods you can freeze, mint hardly loses any quality from the freezing process. It is also a very versatile freezer because you have so many ways you can freeze it.

Mint leaves can be frozen either chopped or as whole leaves. You can also choose to freeze them fresh or dehydrated.

Freezing Stats

Blanched	no
Prep Style	minced in ice cubes chopped whole leaf
Time To Freeze	2 to 4 hours in most cases
Time to Thaw	N/A
Uses	give a minty flavor to drinks the same as fresh mint leaves
Freezer Life	3 to 6 months

Why should you freeze it?

Freezing fresh mint will make sure you have mint all year round. Plus, if you are pulling it during your gardening season, it will help clear out some mint for other crops to grow.

Freezing is really easy and just about anyone has the capability to do it. It also is the best method of storage to maintain a strong flavor over a long period of time.

Frozen Vs Non-frozen

Freezer Life	Shelf Life/Fridge Life
3 to 6 months	3 to 5 days

Supplies

You are going to need the following supplies:

• fresh mint (from garden or store bought)
• cookie sheet (for flash freezing)
• blender or food processor (for chopping)
• ice cube trays (for mint cubes)
• Freezer bags
• Sharpie or marker
• Freezer
• knife
• kitchen timer
• dehydrator (we use this Ninja Foodi)

Need to get all your food preserved easily? Check out the Ultimate Guide To Freezing Food so that you can fill your freezer without in minimal time.

How To Freeze Mint Leaves

As we mentioned above, we have several methods you can use to freeze mint. We will split them into two categories; Fresh mint and Dried mint. Let's start with fresh mint.

Fresh Mint

The following method are best for mint picked fresh from the garden or from the store. They will typically stay at peak freshness for about 3 months. You can still use it up to 6 months.

Ice cube

1. Remove stems and damaged leaves. Clean under cool running water
2. Chop into fine pieces. Place a spoonful of chopped mint into an ice cube tray and fill halfway with water
3. Stick trays in freezer for a few hours until frozen. Transfer cubes from tray into labeled freezer bag.

How to thaw: To use, you can place the small mint cube into a drink or recipe, still frozen. If you want to remove the excess water, put the cube in a cup or bowl and leave out until it has melted. You can then pour the water through a fine mesh strainer and catch the mint.

Frozen Olive Oil and Mint cube

1. Remove stems and damaged leaves. Clean under cool running water.
2. Add your mint leaves and ¼ cup of olive oil into a food processor. Use the manual function until the oil and mint start to look like they are binding together. Fill an ice cube tray about halfway with the min and oil concoction.
3. Stick trays in freezer for a few hours until frozen. Transfer cubes from the tray into labeled freezer bag.

How to thaw: Follow the same thaw and use instructions from the Ice cube method above.

Flash Freezing

1. Remove stems and damaged leaves. Clean under cool running water.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Create a single layer of mint leaves on top of the cookie sheet.
3. Stick the cookie sheet in the freezer for few hours. Once frozen remove them from the cookie tray and place them in a labeled freezer bag and put them back in the freezer.

Dried Mint

Air Drying

1. Take a branch full of mint leaves and place them in a dark, cool, well ventilated area. For best results, allow them to hang dry and keep them protected from dust. You can put a bag over them to assist.
2. After a week or two, the leaves should be brittle and crumble easily
3. Place them in a labeled freezer bag and stick them in the freezer

Obviously, the easiest method since everyone has access to air. It is also the method that takes the longest; usually around a week or 2 for the leaves to completely dry out.

Dehydrator (or Ninja Foodi with Multi-Function)

1. Rinse a branch of mint leaves under cold running water to remove dirt and debris. Then pat or hang dry them.
2. Trim the stems from your leaves so you just have the leafy green parts left.
3. Follow the specific directions from your dehydrator manual for drying herbs, leaves, and spices.
4. After they are dried, put them in a labeled freezer bag and put them in the freezer.

Oven Drying

Second to the microwave, the oven drying method is the quickest way to dry your leaves.

1. Rinse your mint leaves off with cold water and pat or hang dry them.
2. While they are drying cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and preheat the oven to 170° Fahrenheit.
3. If you haven't already, strip the leaves from the branch and trim the stems from the leaves. Then make a single layer of mint leaves, with no overlap, on the cookie sheet.
4. Put the sheet of mint leaves in the oven and set a kitchen timer for 2 hours. Come back and check to see if they are dry. If not, set the timer again and come back in an hour. Drying may take up to 4 hours.
5. Once dried, put your mint leaves in their storage container and place them in the freezer.

Microwave Drying

This is the quickest most accessible, and almost the easiest way to dry your mint leaves.

1. Rinse a branch of mint leaves under cold running water to remove dirt and debris. Then pat or hang dry them.
2. Next, place a paper towel on a microwave safe plate and line the leaves on it.
3. Set your microwave to cook on high for 30 second. Flip the leaves and then heat for another 30 seconds. Continue this process until the leaves are completely dried out.

Pro Tips:

• If you crush dried mint leaves before adding them to your drink or recipe, they will release much more of their flavor and aroma.

• It's best to freeze mint immediately after picking it.
• The morning seems to be the best time to harvest mint leaves; as their flavor is strongest at this point.
• Be gentle. Mint bruises easily. Select only the best leaves with no damage, wilted leaves, pests, or any other undesirable things.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the more common questions about freezing mint leaves

Q1. How long will it last?

If you're wondering how long mint can last in the freezer versus how long mint can last in the fridge, frozen mint in it's various forms can last between 3 and 6 months in the freezer. Fresh mint, on the other hand, can only keep for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Q2. Can I refreeze it?

Mint does not refreeze very well at all. Also, there's not really any reason to if you follow the methods above. You should be able to only take out what you need at a time and leave the rest to stay frozen until next time.

Q3. What can I use frozen mint for?

Frozen mint can be used for everything that fresh mint leaves are used for with the added bonus of being extra cold. One of our favorite uses is to take a mint ice cube or two and pop them in a glass of cold water, iced tea, or even a cocktail like a mojito or vodka soda. They will melt slowly and give your beverage a cool and refreshing flavor.

Final word

Mint is one of the best things you can freeze at home. You have a ton of ways to do it. Every method is easy. And mint hardly loses any flavor or quality from the entire process.

Try it yourself next time you get some mint. You won't be disappointed!