How to Store Mint: Storing, Drying, and Freezing

Fresh mint loses its flavor and freshness quickly if it isn’t stored properly. Whether you’ve harvested mint from your garden or picked up a bunch at the grocery store, learning how to store mint will keep the leaves vibrant for cooking, baking, teas, cocktails, and desserts. In this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to refrigerate, freeze, and dry mint. For recipe inspiration, explore my What to Do with Mint Leaves guide, and if you’re growing your own herbs, don’t miss my Types of Mint to Grow article.

How to Store Mint Leaves: Storing, Drying, and Freezing

The best storage method depends on how you plan to use your mint. If you’ll be using it within a week, storing fresh mint in the refrigerator is your best option. For long-term storage, freezing and drying mint preserve its flavor so you’ll always have it on hand for your favorite recipes.

Whether you’re preserving a large garden harvest or just trying to keep a grocery store bunch fresh a little longer, these simple techniques will help reduce waste and extend the life of your herbs. I’ll also share my favorite tips on How to Store Mint, including harvesting, washing, storing, freezing, and drying mint so you can choose the method that works best for your kitchen.

How to Store Fresh Mint in the Refrigerator

If you’re wondering how to store mint, storing it in the refrigerator is the best way to keep it crisp and flavorful for everyday use. Trim about ½ inch from the bottom of the stems and place the bunch upright in a glass or Mason jar with about an inch of cool water, making sure only the stems are submerged. Loosely cover the leaves with a plastic bag to help retain moisture without trapping too much humidity.

Store the jar in the refrigerator and replace the water every two to three days to keep it fresh. Remove any yellow or wilted leaves as needed. When stored this way, fresh mint typically stays vibrant for 7 to 14 days, making it easy to enjoy in teas, cocktails, salads, sauces, desserts, and your favorite mint recipes.

One of my favorite ways to use refrigerated mint is in homemade Summer Herb Butter, which is delicious on grilled meats, vegetables, potatoes, and fresh bread.

Fresh mint is also wonderful in my Watermelon Salad with Feta, Black Olives, and Mint and my Chilled Watermelon Soup.

Fresh mint is one of the most popular herbs for cocktails. If you enjoy growing herbs for drinks, my Cocktail Garden guide shares some of the best herbs to plant together.

How Long Does Fresh Mint Last?

Fresh mint typically lasts 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in a jar of water with the stems submerged and the leaves loosely covered. If the leaves begin to wilt, turn black, or develop a slimy texture, it’s time to discard them.

For longer storage, freeze fresh mint for up to 6 months or dry it and store it in an airtight container for up to 1 year in a cool, dark place. Discard mint if the leaves become slimy, develop an unpleasant odor, or are mostly black.

Should You Wash Mint Before Storing It?

Yes, but only if you’re storing mint correctly afterward. Gently rinse the leaves under cool running water to remove dirt or insects, then dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Excess moisture is one of the biggest reasons mint spoils quickly, so the leaves should be completely dry before refrigerating, freezing, or drying them. If your mint is already clean and you plan to use it within a day or two, you can also wait and wash it before using it.

How to Wash Mint

Fill a large bowl with cool water and gently swish the mint leaves to loosen any dirt or insects. Lift the mint out of the water rather than pouring it through a colander, which helps leave any grit behind.

Pat the leaves completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture. Drying the leaves thoroughly before storing them helps prevent spoilage and keeps mint crisp longer.

How to Freeze Mint

Freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh mint when you have more than you can use. After washing and drying the leaves thoroughly, remove them from the stems and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours, then transfer the frozen leaves to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. It’s an excellent option when you’re looking for how to store mint long-term.

You can also freeze whole mint leaves in ice cube trays with water for drinks or olive oil for cooking. Properly frozen mint will keep its best quality for up to 6 months.

How to Dry Mint

Drying is another excellent way to how to store mint when you want to preserve it for months. With just a little preparation, you can air dry, dehydrate, or oven dry mint at home.

To air dry mint, tie several stems into a small bundle and hang them upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. If you prefer a faster method, spread the leaves in a single layer on a dehydrator tray or baking sheet and dry them in a food dehydrator or oven set to the lowest temperature until the leaves are crisp and crumble easily.

Store the dried mint leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from heat and moisture. Properly stored dried mint will keep its best flavor for up to 1 year. For the freshest flavor, crush the leaves just before using them in herbal teas, seasoning blends, soups, sauces, and other favorite recipes.

Dried mint is also perfect for making my homemade Herb Salt, an easy seasoning blend to keep in your pantry.

If you enjoy growing herbs for homemade teas, you’ll love creating your own Tea Garden filled with flavorful herbs you can harvest and dry throughout the season.

Harvesting Mint Leaves for the Best Flavor

Harvesting mint correctly is the first step in how to store mint successfully. For the best flavor and aroma, pick mint in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. Use clean scissors or pruning shears to cut stems just above a pair of healthy leaves, which encourages the plant to produce new growth. Choose bright green leaves without signs of yellowing or damage, and avoid harvesting wet mint since excess moisture can shorten its storage life.

Whether you’re gathering a handful for tonight’s dinner or a large harvest to freeze or dry, careful harvesting is the first step to keeping mint fresh and flavorful for weeks or even months. If you’re interested in growing your own fresh herbs, my guide on How to Grow Mint will help you plant, care for, and harvest healthy mint all season long.

I created a pin below so you can save these How to Store Mint tips to your Pinterest herb board and easily find them later.