How To Store Fresh Mint

Whether you are making Mint Julep Brownies or Cucumber Mint Mojitos, having fresh mint at-the-ready is a great addition to any recipe. When it comes to making sure mint stays fresh, proper storage is crucial. We chatted with North Carolina chef Rhonda Stewart on the best ways to store mint to keep it fresh for longer.

Where To Store Fresh Mint

The best place to store fresh mint is in the refrigerator.

How To Store Fresh Mint

• Wrap the fresh mint sprigs in a damp paper towel, then put them into a plastic bag to stay moist.
• Another way to store fresh mint involves placing the sprigs in water, like a flower bouquet, inside the fridge.

“For either method, you’ll need to occasionally trim the stems, maintain moderate moisture, and check the leaves for mold or rot,” Stewart says.

Because mint is delicate, where you store mint is only part of properly preserving its shelf life.

How Long Does Fresh Mint Last?

Mint can last 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, if stored properly and checked for freshness often.

How To Keep Mint Fresher, Longer

To keep mint fresh, maintaining the proper balance of moisture will prevent it from wilting or molding. When checking the leaves, remove any that look extra dark, wet, or slimy, or moldy.

Can You Freeze Mint?

Yes, you can freeze mint. Stewart says the best way to preserve mint’s flavor and freshness while freezing is to make mint ice cubes. 

Make Ice Cubes

1. To make mint ice cubes, place freshly washed mint leaves in the cavities of an ice cube tray.
2. Cover leaves with water, and then freeze.
3. Once mint cubes are frozen, pop them out of their molds and store in a zipper-top bag or an airtight container. 

“To use, let ice cubes melt to reveal the fresh leaves, or toss whole cubes into your sauce, soup, or marinade,” Stewart says.

Should You Grow Mint Indoors Or Outdoors?

Both are fine. Fresh mint is easy to grow both inside as a houseplant and outside in the garden. 

“In most climates, it’s a perennial so it will come back year after year,” Stewart says. 

Even though the leaves are tender, mint has tough roots, Stewarts says to be careful of the “runner” root system, as mint tends to spread easily throughout gardens. 

“To prevent its invasive nature, plant it in a contained space,” she says. “There are many different varieties of mint, so you can choose types of mint to use in both sweet and savory applications.”