Using fresh herbs in your cooking is an excellent way to add flavor to a dish, but it's rare that we use an entire bunch of herbs in one go. When stored improperly, they can quickly turn slimy, brown, and wilted, resulting in half the bunch getting thrown out. If you're storing your herbs in the bag they came in, it's time to level up! Herb keepers help control moisture and oxygen levels to keep your herbs fresh for weeks.
Our favorite herb keeper is OXO's Good Grips GreenSaver Herb Keeper, which has a removable basket and a large, clear water basin. But if you want to keep browsing, we have nine more excellent picks below! If you're not sure where to start, check out our buying guide reviewed by a chef to get the lowdown on all the things to consider when choosing an herb keeper for your kitchen.
Image | 1 ![]() OXO | 2 ![]() Cole & Mason | 3 ![]() Novart | 4 ![]() Prepara | 5 ![]() Rubbermaid | 6 ![]() Honey-Can-Do | 7 ![]() Progressive International | 8 ![]() Hutzler | 9 ![]() Prepara | 10 ![]() Progressive International |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Good Grips GreenSaver Herb Keeper | Fresh Herb Keeper | Premium Fresh Herb Keeper | Eco Herb Savor Pod | Freshworks Produce Saver | Glass Herb Preserver | Herb ProKeeper | Herb Saver | Herb Savor Pod 2.0 | Produce Storage Container |
Features | A Removable Basket Provides 360 Degree Air Circulation | Protect and Store Multiple Herbs at Once | Sleek, Cylindrical, and Made of Glass | A Removable Pod and Easy-to-Fill Spout | Save Produce and Herbs From Spoilage | Keep Herbs Hydrated and Protected | No More Limp Herbs | A Refrigerator-Friendly Herb Keeper | Preserve Your Herbs in Modern Pods | Keep Your Greens and Herbs in One Place |
Price | $14.99 | $24.25 | $34.95 | $15.38 | $19.99 | $14.79 | $17.99 | $18.99 | $36.80 | $12.79 |
Dimensions | 4.85 x 6.5 x 9 in. | 4.72 x 7.28 x 9.06 in. | 12.2 x 4.7 in. | 6.2 x 2.9 x 10.7 in. | Not specified | 10 x 5 in. | 9.75 x 6.65 x 5.4 in. | 9.5 x 3.8 in. | 2.36 x 3.54 x 11.3 in. | Not specified |
Water basin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Ventilation | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
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Our list includes a range of herb keeper designs that work well for both tender and hardy herbs. Some are made to fit one type of herb at a time, while others come with dividers so adventurous cooks can store all their herbs in one place.
*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Jim Quast.
$14.99
Dimensions | 4.85 x 6.5 x 9 in. |
---|---|
Water basin | Yes |
Ventilation | No |
$24.25
Dimensions | 4.72 x 7.28 x 9.06 in. |
---|---|
Water basin | Yes |
Ventilation | Yes |
$34.95
Dimensions | 12.2 x 4.7 in. |
---|---|
Water basin | Yes |
Ventilation | Yes |
$19.99
Dimensions | Not specified |
---|---|
Water basin | No |
Ventilation | Yes |
$17.99
Dimensions | 9.75 x 6.65 x 5.4 in. |
---|---|
Water basin | Yes |
Ventilation | No |
3 pack
$36.80
Dimensions | 2.36 x 3.54 x 11.3 in. |
---|---|
Water basin | Yes |
Ventilation | No |
$12.79
Dimensions | Not specified |
---|---|
Water basin | No |
Ventilation | Yes |
Herb keepers come in a range of shapes and sizes, so how do you know which one to choose? In this guide, we'll explain the different types of herbs and their storage needs and go through the most important things to look for in an herb keeper.
Not all herbs should be stored the same way, so it’s important to choose an herb keeper that works for their needs. Think about what kinds of dishes you cook and which herbs you buy most often.
Tender herbs include herbs with soft leaves and stems, like parsley, cilantro, dill, and mint. To keep them fresh, look for a container that can hold them upright in your fridge with their stems in water.
Basil is a little bit different. Unlike other tender herbs, it shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator since it’s sensitive to cold temperatures. Instead, place the stems in water and store them upright on your counter.
Hardy herbs include herbs with woody stems and tougher leaves, like rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano. They need some moisture so they won’t dry out, although too much water will cause them to become slimy.
They store best when wrapped in a moist paper towel and then placed in a container or sealable bag in your fridge. Chives are often considered a tender herb but should be stored like hardy herbs.
If you tend to buy a mix of tender herbs, hardy herbs, and basil, it’s a good idea to invest in multiple herb keepers so you can store each one in their optimal conditions.
Since basil needs to be stored at room temperature, you might have one herb keeper for your fridge and one for your counter. You could also buy an upright herb keeper with a water basin for storing tender herbs and a horizontal container for your hardy herbs.
When you’re pulling just a few stalks out of a bunch of herbs, it can be easy for them to get tangled up together, especially tender herbs. Luckily, herb keepers come in a range of creative designs to allow you easy access.
Some open at the side so you can pull the herbs out by their stems, while others open at the top like a traditional storage container.
Others feature a two-piece construction with a basket and container. The herbs sit in the basket, which goes into the water-filled container. When you’re ready to use them, simply pull the basket up and out of the water and select your herbs.
If you’re storing tender herbs, you’ll want a container that you can fill partway with water. Ideally, you should change this water every couple of days. This means that you’ll want a water basin that’s easy to fill, easy to empty, and easy to see.
Some herb keepers are filled from the top and require you to remove the herbs each time. Others have a spout that you can use to empty and refill the water. In addition, make sure you can actually see how much water you’re putting in to avoid overfilling.
Both lack of oxygen and too much oxygen can be your herbs’ enemies. Without enough airflow, the storage environment will grow too moist, leading to decay, mold, and slimy herbs. However, too much airflow can turn tender herbs brown and dry them out. An herb keeper can help you get just the right amount of ventilation.
While hardy herbs do well in an enclosed container, tender herbs will thrive with a small amount of airflow. Therefore, look for a container that has vents or openings to allow some fresh air to circulate.
Since most herbs should be stored in the fridge, don’t forget to consider how much space an herb keeper will take up; for many people, fridge space is valuable real estate! For hardy herbs, you can find horizontal, stackable containers that can help save space.
Since tender herbs need to be stored upright, make sure to measure the height of your refrigerator shelves. Some herb keepers can even fit in the door of your fridge!
To get the most out of your herbs, wash them before storing them. This will help remove debris and bacteria that can lead to faster decay. Once your herbs are clean, dry them thoroughly. You can do this in a salad spinner, with paper towels, or with a dishtowel.
It’s important to get as much water off of the herbs as you can, since too much moisture can promote decay. Once your herbs are safely in their herb keeper, change the water every couple of days. When you do this, also give them a quick check and remove any brown or slimy herbs from the bunch.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet and can be prepared in all sorts of delicious ways. Check out more of our favorite products to help you get your five a day!
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