Chives begin to bloom in May at the latest and have become an integral part of our summer kitchen. The aromatic herb gives numerous dishes a slightly spicy taste and can be found in more and more local gardens. But what if you have harvested more than you can actually eat? Then you should definitely read on because we will explain to you the easiest way to freeze chives. Freezing is probably the easiest way to enjoy this fresh taste all year round. Okay, how does that work? Can you also freeze chive flowers? We'll tell you all of this in our article and, as a bonus, we'll explain to you how you can easily dry chive flowers.
Freezing chives: How to do it right
Who wouldn't want some chive butter on their steak or a dash of chive vinegar in their salad in the dead of winter? Chives will last four to eight months in the freezer. As passionate home cooks, we love pampering our loved ones in December with flavors that evoke the smells and tastes of summer. And since our readers always come first, we'll explain the best ways to freeze chives below.
In freezer bags
Freezing chives extends their shelf life by several months and the aromatic herb also retains its bright green color. Here is a quick guide on how to freeze chives in freezer bags.
- To ensure that the aroma is not lost, always cut the chives with secateurs or a sharp knife and be careful not to crush the herb.
- Rinse the chives with cold water.
- Remove excess moisture with either dry paper towels or a salad spinner.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Chop the chives finely and place evenly on the baking tray. Make sure to leave enough space between them.
- Place the baking tray in the freezer for 20-30 minutes and then put the chives in freezer bags or another sealable container.
- Label it and you’re done – it’s that easy to freeze chives!
Freeze chives in ice cube trays
Whether for cooking or with bread rolls for breakfast – we love herb butter! So it's a good thing that we can make our own herb butter by freezing chives in ice cube trays.
- Wash the chives thoroughly and pat dry.
- Chop it small and fill an ice cube tray halfway with it.
- Then pour water or olive oil over it until the chives are completely covered.
- Place in the freezer for 30-40 minutes and fill into freezer bags as desired.
- It's amazing how quickly we can forget what's in our freezer. So when you freeze chives, always remember to label the bags.
Our best ideas for youUse chive flowers, we have already told you. Chives are growing in abundance in your garden and you're wondering if you could freeze chive flowers? The answer to that is of course yes! For best results, we recommend freezing the chive flowers in ice cube trays. Otherwise, the flowers may turn brown and no longer look as appetizing. How to do it right:
- Finely chop the chive flowers and mix with a little soft butter.
- Divide the mixture into ice cube trays and place in the freezer for 30-40 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can fill the flowers with olive oil or water into the wells of the ice cube tray.
- If the chive flowers are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container.
Can you dry chive flowers?
Yes, theoretically you can dry chive flowers. However, drying removes the moisture and the herb also loses a lot of flavor and vitamins. So we would prefer you to freeze the chive flowers. But if you still want to dry them, then do it right:
- To dry chive flowers, it is best to harvest them early in the morning - then they are optimally open.
- A wooden frame covered with wire mesh is best suited for drying chive flowers.
- Shake out the chive flowers vigorously and push them through the gaps in the wire mesh.
- Allow to dry in a dry, well-ventilated place at a temperature between 20 and 30 degrees.
- If the flowers already feel dry and stiff, you can store them in airtight jars.
- You can dry chive flowers even faster and easier in the oven. To do this, place the flowers evenly on a baking tray and let them dry in the oven at 50 degrees for 4-6 hours.
