The Best Way to Store Mint So It Stays Fresh for Weeks!

Cory Fernandez
Cory FernandezAssociate Food Editor
Cory is a New York City–based associate editor at The Kitchn, who covers food trends, lifestyle, wine, liquor, spirits, food-related travel, and food features. Before working at The Kitchn, he worked as an editor at Food Network Magazine and was a contributor to The Pioneer…read more
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Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn
Andrea Rivera WawrzynAssociate Food Editor, The Kitchn
Andrea is the Associate Food Editor at The Kitchn. She is a lifelong Chef and full-time clog enthusiast. Her passions include grabbing more books at the library than she can read in the time allotted and the relentless pursuit of the perfect burrito. She lives in Salem, MA with…read more
updated May 7, 2024
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Fresh mint leaves in glass jar on white wooden background. Close up.
Credit: DevMarya/Getty Images

Fresh herbs are one of the best ingredients for adding a pop of flavor to any dish, either sweet or savory. In addition to herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley, fresh mint is wonderfully fragrant. It’s great when added to all kinds of dishes, from watermelon mint frosé or a whisky smash cocktail to herby meatballs, or even a sheet pan meal with halloumi and vegetables. Mint is a delicate herb, though, so knowing how to store it the right way is crucial to making sure it lasts. Read on to learn how to properly store fresh mint leaves at home – no special equipment needed.

Quick Overview

The Best Way to Store Fresh Mint

Wrap mint in a damp paper towel and store in a zip-top bag in the fridge.

Methods for Storing Fresh Mint

Though you might be tempted just keep mint it in its original packaging and toss it in the fridge, that isn’t the best way to keep it fresh. Properly stored fresh mint leaves can last up to three weeks in the fridge. Frozen fresh mint can last from three to six months.

  1. Wrapped in a damp paper towel in the fridge. This method was the winner in our testing of the best way to store fresh herbs. Run a paper towel under cool water and ring out as much excess moisture as possible. Wrap the bunch of mint in the paper towel and store in a sealed plastic zip-top bag.
  2. In a bouquet, in the fridge. Another good way to store mint leaves is in a narrow glass or jar partially filled with cool water — like a bouquet of cut flowers — in the fridge. Trim the ends of the stems and place them in the glass of water, then place the glass in the fridge. Be sure to refresh the water every few days.
  3. In the freezer. You can freeze mint for long-term storage! To freeze mint leaves, coarsely chop the mint leaves and place them in an ice cube tray. Fill the ice cube tray with water and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, place the ice cubes in a freezer-safe plastic zip-top bag and store in the freezer. To use the frozen mint, place the ice cube in a fine mesh sieve, let it melt at room temperature, and let the water strain out. Properly stored frozen mint leaves can last between three and six months. You can also pop frozen mint ice cubes right into iced tea or other drinks.
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gardening
herbs