John M

You can substitute basil for parsley in most recipes, but be ready for a flavor shift that changes the whole personality of your dish.   Basil brings a sweet, peppery, and slightly anise-like punch, while parsley offers a fresh, clean, and grassy note, so substituting basil for parsley works best when you’re after a bolder, … Read more

You can substitute basil for oregano in most recipes, though the swap will change the flavor profile in noticeable ways. Basil brings a sweet, slightly peppery, and aromatic quality that’s quite different from oregano’s earthy, bold, and slightly bitter punch. If you’re in a pinch and your pantry only has basil, you can absolutely use … Read more

You can substitute basil for cilantro, but you need to know exactly what you’re trading before you do.   The short answer is yes, you can substitute basil for cilantro in many recipes, yet the flavor profile will shift dramatically.   Cilantro brings a bright, citrusy, and slightly peppery punch while basil offers a sweet, … Read more

Yes, you can substitute basil for bay leaf, but it’s important to know exactly how to do it so your dish still tastes amazing.   Basil and bay leaf come from completely different flavor worlds, so swapping one for the other isn’t always a straight one-to-one trade.   However, if you’re in a pinch and … Read more

You can store basil leaves in the fridge, but only if you do it the right way.   Yes, sticking basil in the fridge is totally possible, though it’s not as simple as tossing the bunch in a plastic bag.   Storing basil leaves in the fridge can keep them fresh for up to a … Read more

Yes, you can store basil in the freezer, and it’s one of the easiest ways to keep that fresh, peppery flavor around long after your plant has stopped producing.   If you’ve ever asked yourself, “can you store basil in the freezer?” the short answer is absolutely, but you need to do it right to … Read more