How to Store Chives

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Whether you eat them sprinkled over a baked potato or mixed into scrambled eggs, chives are a delicious, hardy herb from the onion and leek family. To store chives, keep them fresh in the refrigerator or preserve them for up to 1 year by freezing or drying them. Fresh chives will have more flavor but dried or frozen chives will last much longer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Chives in the Refrigerator

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  1. Lay the stems lengthwise along a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll the chives up in the plastic wrap similar to how you would roll a burrito. [1] Avoid wrapping the chives too tightly which will trap moisture and cause them to mold faster. [2]
    • To absorb any extra moisture, put a paper towel between the chives and the plastic wrap before wrapping them up.
    • Using a partially closed resealable bag instead of plastic wrap will also work. [3]
  2. The compartments of the fridge door are the warmest spots in the refrigerator. [4] Don’t place your chives in the back of the fridge where it’s colder because this dries them out and may cause them to partially freeze. [5]
    • Throw the chives away if the stems turn dark or crunchy or if you see mold spots.
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  3. Don’t rinse the chives prior to putting them in the refrigerator because any leftover moisture will make them go bad faster. Instead, wait until you’re ready to use them and wash any dirt or grime off in cool water. [6]
    • Even if there’s no visible dirt on your chives, always rinse them before eating them. They can contain bacteria that you can’t see. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Freezing Chives

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    Use cold water to wash the chives, running your hand gently along the stems to get rid of any grime. Remove all excess water by firmly pressing the chives between 2 paper towels. [8]
    • Use a salad spinner if you have one to dry the chives. Place the rinsed chives in the bowl of the spinner, then spin them to wick off the water.
    • If you leave any moisture on the chives, they will stick together when they freeze.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    Grab the stems together into one bunch. Hold them in your hand if you’re using scissors or lay them on a cutting board if you’re using a knife. Cut through all of the stems together.
    • Trim off any pieces of the chives that are brown or yellow and discard them.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    Use your hands to smooth out the chives across the sheet, making sure they don’t pile up on top of each other. Keeping them in one layer stops them from freezing together. [9]
    • Putting a piece of parchment paper or a silipat mat between the chives and the baking sheet will prevent the chives from hardening to the baking sheet itself.
  4. This is a process known as flash freezing. It will harden the chives before you put them in a container so that they freeze as separate pieces instead of clumping together. [10]
    • Clear out a spot for the baking sheet to sit flat and level in the freezer. If the sheet is on an angle, the chives may shift and freeze together.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    Use a resealable freezer bag, airtight container, or glass jar. Whichever container you choose, make sure it’s tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn and keep the chives fresh for longer. [11]
    • If you use a freezer bag, firmly press down on the bag to push out any extra air before sealing it.
  6. After 6 months, the chives will still be safe to eat but they will lose some of their flavor. [12] The best spot for your chives is the back of the freezer, where it's coldest. A freezer temperature of 0 °F (−18 °C) is ideal for keeping your food fresher for longer. [13]
    • Because the chives are so small, you don’t have to defrost them before using them in recipes. Just remove them from the freezer when you need them.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Drying Chives in the Freezer

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  1. Run the chives under cool water in the sink to remove any dirt. Then lay the chives flat on a paper towel and pat them dry with another paper towel. Let the chives sit on the towel until they’re dry. [14]
    • If you have a salad spinner, this is a great tool for washing herbs. Rinse the chives in the sink first, then place them in the salad spinner. Turn the handle to spin the water off the chives. Continue spinning until there’s no moisture left on the chives.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    Use kitchen scissors or a paring knife to cut the stalks into the smallest pieces possible. Bunching the chives together in your hand before cutting so you can trim all of the stalks at once will make the process quicker. [15]
    • If you're using a knife, always cut on a cutting board to protect your counters.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    This allows the chives to freeze individually instead of clumping together. Try to make sure none of the pieces of chives are touching each other. [16]
    • Placing parchment paper on the baking sheet before arranging the chives on it will prevent the chives from freezing to the baking sheet.
  4. Sit the baking sheet flat on a shelf so the chives don't move around. Leave the chives in the freezer until they’re completely frozen. [17]
    • To test if the chives are frozen, pick a few up and run them through your fingers. They should be crunchy and crisp.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Store Chives
    Do this immediately after taking them out of the freezer as they’ll begin defrosting quickly. Use a resealable bag, a container, or a jar. Whichever container you use, seal it tightly to keep out moisture. [18]
    • If you used a sheet of parchment paper between the chives and the baking sheet, simply lift the paper off the baking sheet and curl it into a funnel for easy pouring. [19]
  6. Keep the chives out of direct sunlight and away from warm areas like on top of the stove or by the oven. A dark, closed cupboard is the best spot for keeping herbs. [20]
    • Label the container with a permanent marker, noting the type of herb (chives) and the date that you dried them. This will help you know when the year is up and they need to be tossed.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Freezing Chives

      • Paper towels
      • Kitchen scissors or knife
      • Baking sheet
      • Freezer-safe container
      • Parchment paper or silipat mat (optional)
      • Salad spinner (optional)
      • Cutting board (optional)

      Keeping Chives in the Refrigerator

      • Plastic wrap
      • Paper towel (optional)

      Drying Chives in the Freezer

      • Paper towels
      • Scissors or paring knife
      • Baking sheet
      • Airtight container
      • Parchment paper (optional)
      • Salad spinner (optional)
      • Cutting board (optional)
      • Permanent marker (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/herbs-spices/best-way-store-herbs
      2. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/herbs-spices/best-way-store-herbs
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/04/the-best-way-to-store-fresh-herbs-parsley-cilantro-dill-basil.html
      4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/herbs-spices/best-way-store-herbs
      5. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/04/the-best-way-to-store-fresh-herbs-parsley-cilantro-dill-basil.html
      6. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/herbs-spices/best-way-store-herbs
      7. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/04/the-best-way-to-store-fresh-herbs-parsley-cilantro-dill-basil.html
      8. ↑ https://getbusygardening.com/freezing-chives/
      9. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/16845
      1. ↑ https://getbusygardening.com/freezing-chives/
      2. ↑ https://getbusygardening.com/freezing-chives/
      3. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/16845
      4. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/refrigerator-and-freezer-storage
      5. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/
      6. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/
      7. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/
      8. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/
      9. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/
      10. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/
      11. ↑ https://www.savoringthegood.com/how-to-dry-chives/

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