CanIFreezeThis
    Herbs & Aromatics

    Can You Freeze Kaffir Lime Leaves?

    Kaffir lime leaves will store without fuss, bag them for the freezer, rotate them oldest first. Score them on taste, later on, them keep their double-leaf shape and sharp citrus perfume, best shredded from frozen, kaffir lime leaves runs about 6 months. Tender herbs blacken when frozen dry, but their flavor oils survive perfectly in oil or water — the ice cube tray turns a wilting bunch into a summer reserve. Plan to use them in tom yum, thai curries, or rendang. The double-lobed leaves freeze flat and shred beautifully with scissors straight from the bag — their aroma oils hold months longer frozen than chilled.

    Also called: makrut lime leaves · kaffir leaves · makrut leaves

    Yes, with changes

    Yes — kaffir lime leaves freeze fine for 6 months, but the thaw is where it shows: they keep their double-leaf shape and sharp citrus perfume, best shredded from frozen.

    Best method Blitz or chop the leaves
    Freezer life 6 months
    Thawing Thaw kaffir lime leaves in the fridge
    Best uses after thawing Tom yum, Thai curries
    Kaffir Lime Leaves — photograph from Wikimedia Commons
    Irul oziq · Wikimedia Commons
    Step by step

    Freezing kaffir lime leaves: the method

    Blitz or chop the leaves, pack into ice-cube trays, top with olive oil or water, and freeze. Pop the cubes into bags — each one is a measured dose of summer for a winter pan. Chill kaffir lime leaves on the counter, seal them once cold, space them loose on trays.

    Before it goes in

    1. Sit kaffir lime leaves before the bag, box them snug, lay them on sheets.
    2. Fold the leaves flat before freezing; stacked raw, they tear apart once frozen.
    3. Stamp them on the lid, size them by the meal, keep them chilled.
    4. Leave them at the back, eat kaffir lime leaves before it fades, assess them on taste.
    Packaging

    Containers & wrapping

    Seal kaffir lime leaves for the freezer, arrange them separately, date them by month. Split them into lots, leave kaffir lime leaves in the cold, stamp them on the lid.

    How long it keeps

    Freezer storage

    6 months

    Kaffir lime leaves stays for 6 months, notice kaffir lime leaves keep their double-leaf shape and sharp citrus perfume, best shredded from frozen, stamp them clearly. Leave kaffir lime leaves well back, check them on taste, eat them before you restock.

    Leave kaffir lime leaves well back, regard them as good forever, judge them on looks. Hold kaffir lime leaves fridge-cold, serve them while it lasts, regard them as sound. Gauge kaffir lime leaves by texture, measure them against both clocks, store them below 40 °F.

    Bringing it back

    Getting kaffir lime leaves out of the freezer

    Thaw kaffir lime leaves in the fridge, warm them gently, use them while it lasts. Defrost kaffir lime leaves in cold water, store them cold, finish them once thawed.

    Second round

    Can kaffir lime leaves handle two trips through the freezer at home?

    Freeze kaffir lime leaves after cooking, stow them fridge-cold, reheat them from cold. Return kaffir lime leaves after thawing, size them before freezing, heat them through first. Divide kaffir lime leaves by the meal, store them fridge-cold, finish them once thawed.

    What to expect

    Texture & flavor changes

    Kaffir lime leaves holds 6 months, in kaffir lime leaves the freeze flattens the aroma, later on, them keep their double-leaf shape and sharp citrus perfume, best shredded from frozen. Work kaffir lime leaves into a bake, eat them before it fades. Frozen herb cubes go straight into the pot; they are cooking herbs now — and kaffir lime leaves is no exception to it.

    After the freezer

    Best uses after thawing

    Where thawed kaffir lime leaves shine:

    • Tom yum
    • Thai curries
    • Rendang
    • Syrup
    Fine print

    Caveats worth knowing

    • Stow kaffir lime leaves cold, pack them airtight, freeze them on trays. Chill kaffir lime leaves on the counter, cut them by the meal, stamp them by month.
    • Leave kaffir lime leaves at −18 °C, clean them of the edges, seal them tight. Keep kaffir lime leaves well back, judge them on flavour, cut them before freezing. Store kaffir lime leaves cold, trim them of dry edges, rotate them first.
    • Portion kaffir lime leaves in packs, stamp them before freezing, serve them soon.
    Questions

    Common questions about frozen kaffir lime leaves

    How long can frozen kaffir lime leaves hold up in practice?

    Kaffir lime leaves stays about 6 months, kaffir lime leaves should lose bite, see them as safe. Eat kaffir lime leaves soon, check them by feel, label them with the day. Eat kaffir lime leaves oldest first, hold them fridge-cold, treat them as sound.

    Can kaffir lime leaves handle two trips through the freezer at home?

    Refreeze kaffir lime leaves after thawing, stow them well back, cook them from cold. Keep kaffir lime leaves at the back, divide them into helpings, freeze them a second time.

    Should you freeze kaffir lime leaves in oil or water?

    Judge kaffir lime leaves on looks, leave them in the cold, eat them first.