You asked: When should I cook basil?

Add basil at the beginning of a long simmer and by the time you serve your dish, you’ll only taste a shadow of what it once was. That’s why it’s best to add the basil only in the last minute or so of cooking.

Is basil better cooked or raw?

Holy basil is best cooked (it can be bitter when raw), but purple basil is best raw as that pretty purple color turns black when cooked. Thai basil is stronger, with an anise flavor, while lemon and cinnamon basil are aptly named for the flavors they bring to the table.

Can fresh basil go in oven?

If your oven’s lowest temperature is 175 or 180, that’s fine. Place basil leaves on a baking sheet, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. Depending on the amount of basil you have, you might need a few baking sheets. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until basil leaves are dried and can easily crumble.

Can you put fresh basil in the oven?

Yes, you can! It’s actually fairly easy to dry basil leaves in the oven. You start by leaving your fresh basil leaves to dry at room temperature for a few days. After this time, preheat your oven to 170ºF (or the lowest temperature possible), then lay your basil leaves out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Do you pick basil from the top or bottom?

Harvesting Larger Amounts: Harvest the leaves from the top down, cutting back up to a third of the total plant height. Be sure to cut or pinch right above a leaf pair rather than leaving a stub. In a few weeks, your basil plants will be ready to harvest again.

Does basil need to be staked?

You do not need to stake the plants, they are very robust as they grow. Tomatoes like to grow near basil so if you are planting staked tomatoes, put basil in between them. With growing basil for the leaf, you can harvest daily once it reached a reasonable size.

How often should basil be watered?

Basil plant watering—outdoors



If you’ve planted your basil in rich soil that consists of a fair amount of compost, then water roughly twice per week during hot weather and once a week when it’s a bit cooler. That’s because rich soil contains more moisture.

What do I do with all this basil?

Here are some other everyday ways to use it:

1. Top whole leaves onto pizza.
2. Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
3. Blend it into sauces.
4. Puree it into soups.
5. Chop it up to add to a salad.
6. Use it to garnish avocado toast.
7. Turn it into an ice cream topping!

Can you boil basil leaves?

Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add basil, making sure leaves are submerged; blanch for five seconds. Drain in a strainer and immediately plunge basil into a bowl of ice water. Drain well and squeeze dry.

What is the best way to preserve fresh basil?

Remove basil leaves from the stem and toss them in a pot with boiling water for 3-5 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer the leaves to a bowl of ice cold water. Dry the leaves completely and store basil leaves in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag.