How to Freeze Dill (Whole, Chopped, and Pureed)

Last Updated on October 18, 2023

Once you know how to freeze dill, you’ll never have an issue with running out of this flavorful herb again. 

Let’s learn the best way to preserve whole and chopped dill. 

How to Freeze Dill | Freezing Dill | How to Preserve Dill | The Best Way to Store Dill

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Why would you want to freeze dill? (And how long does fresh, dried and frozen dill last?)

Wonder how to preserve dill after harvesting it from the garden or buying a bunch of organic fresh dill from Whole Foods? 

Should you keep it in the fridge, dry it, or freeze?

The thing is – fresh dill doesn’t store well.

Though it’s written that you can keep fresh dill in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks under ideal conditions, in reality in just 7-10 days in the fridge your dill most likely will wilt, discolor and lose its freshness.

Maybe drying the dill is a good idea? At least, it’s super easy to do.

Unfortunately, I need to disappoint you.

Dill is not a good candidate for drying. Sure you can dry dill foliage and then store it in an  airtight container, but it will lose its flavor and color in about 1-2 months.

So how do you preserve dill for a prolonged time (up to 6 months) ?

The best way to store dill in order to preserve its freshness is to freeze it because dill keeps its flavor best when frozen. 

And the good news is that dill freezes well:- whole or chopped.

So, let’s learn how to do it!

How to freeze dill

We are going to learn how to freeze dill sprigs, as well as how to freeze chopped or pureed dill in portioned trays (like traditional ice cube trays or Souper Cubes).

1. Freezing whole dill sprigs

In order to freeze whole dill you will need:

• BPA free reusable freezer bags

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Wash dill sprigs thoroughly and shake them off or pat off the excess water. 
2. Place individual sprigs in resealable freezer bags in one layer, so dill sprigs can freeze individually and can be easily  removed one by one when needed.
3. Flatten the bags to remove air. 
4. Seal and  place in the freezer.

Alternatively, in order not to use so many freezer bags, you can quickly freeze dill sprigs (for about an hour) laying them flat on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper sheets or silicone mat so they can freeze individually and then store them in one freezer bag. This way dill sprigs will not freeze in one big lump.

How to use frozen dill sprigs?

Frozen dill sprigs are not suitable for garnish, because they become limp when you thaw them, but they are great for flavoring your cooking – soups, stews, sauces. Just get a sprig or two from the freezer bag when needed and put it in the pot or pan while cooking, then remove it before serving.

2. How to freeze chopped (or pureed) dill

In order to freeze chopped dill you will need:

• ice cube tray  and a BPA free resealable freezer bag
• or Souper Cube 2 tablespoon freezer tray with lid
• some liquid (water, extra virgin olive oil, or melted butter)

Souper Cube 2 tablespoon silicone tray with lid 
Made from food grade silicone with BPA free lids to prevent spills, odor transfer, and ensure easy stacking. (As seen on Shark Tank).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Wash dill in cold water, drain and pat dry. 
2. Chop dill coarsely with a knife on a cutting board (feel free to discard  tough stems).
3. Place chopped dill into a Souper Cube silicone tray with the lid or ice cube tray (as in the picture below).

     4. Add some water, melted butter or extra virgin olive oil to the chopped dill in trays.

Alternatively, you can puree fresh dill with water, melted butter or olive oil in a food processor and transfer puree to the trays.

     5. Place trays in the freezer.

     6. After a few hours, when your dill cubes are frozen, remove them from the tray, transfer to a BPA free resealable freezer bag and store in the freezer.

If you use a Souper Cubes tray with a lid, there is no need to move your dill cubes to the freezer bag. The portioned frozen dill will pop out easily from the silicone tray when you are ready to use it, and the BPA free lid will keep out freezer odors.

Where to use frozen dill cubes?

• If you made frozen chopped or pureed dill cubes with the addition of water, it’s best to add them to soups or stews, since they will add liquid to the recipe.
• If you do not want your recipe watered down, it’s best to add dill cubes made with butter to sauces, and dill cubes made with olive oil – to salad dressings.

How long does frozen dill last in the freezer?

Dill will last in the freezer for around 6 months. Beyond that, it still will be safe to consume if your freezer keeps temperature 0°F, but you will not want to, because dill will lose its flavor. 

How do you thaw frozen dill?

You can put your frozen dill sprig or chopped cube right in a dish when making soups or stews – no need to defrost it.

You’ll need to defrost chopped or pureed dill though for making dips, some sauces or salad dressing.

Just transfer a cube or two of your frozen or pureed dill in a little bowl, cover and leave it in the fridge for a few hours, then use in a dish. Do not refreeze a defrosted dill, just discard the not used portion.

Read related:

Find out more tips on preserving your harvest

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How to Freeze Dill