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Dark green basil leaves, finely chopped and pressed into small irregular frozen clumps, with a light dusting of ice crystals.
●Low GI

Frozen basil Calories

Fresh flavor, antioxidant source, low calorie

In season: Summer

CALORIES · 100 G

23kcal

GI

5low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

295mg

FIBER · 100 G

1.6g

Quick answer

1 tablespoon (medium) of Frozen basil (5 g) has 1 calories. That works out to 23 calories per 100 g. It contains 0.1 g of carbs, 0.2 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 0.1 g of fiber. Its 20.8 µg of Vitamin K covers 17% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 5 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Frozen basil Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 5 g

1

KCAL / 5G

Carbs

0.1g

· 0% DV

Protein

0.2g

· 0% DV

Fat

0g

· 0% DV

Fiber

0.1g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 33% · Protein 67% · Fat 0%

Frozen basil nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (5 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories1 kcal
Total fat0 g0%
Saturated fat0 g0%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium0.2 mg0%
Total carbohydrate0.1 g0%
Fiber0.1 g0%
Protein0.2 g0%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Frozen basil?

ServingAmountCalories
1 tablespoon (medium)5 g1 kcal
1 piece (small)2 g0 kcal
1 tablespoon (small)3 g1 kcal
1 piece (large)4 g1 kcal
1 tablespoon (large)8 g2 kcal
10 g10 g2 kcal
1 serving (medium)15 g3 kcal
1 cup (chopped)21 g5 kcal
1 cup (whole)40 g9 kcal
100 g100 g23 kcal

Calculated from 23 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frozen basil

Can you use frozen basil instead of fresh basil?

Yes, frozen basil works well in cooked dishes such as pasta sauce, soup, and stew. Its leaves become soft after thawing, so it is a poor stand-in when a recipe depends on fresh-looking leaves, such as a salad or garnish.

Can you put frozen basil straight into a pan?

Yes, add frozen basil directly to soups, sauces, and other hot dishes without thawing it first. Stir it in near the end of cooking to keep its aroma from fading, and break up any clumps before adding them.

How do you thaw frozen basil?

Thaw frozen basil in the refrigerator or briefly at room temperature when a recipe needs it unfrozen. It can release liquid as it thaws, so drain it before blending into a cold dip or pesto; for most cooked recipes, skip thawing.

Why does frozen basil turn black?

Frozen basil can darken because freezing damages the delicate leaf cells, while exposure to air can further affect its color. Store it in a tightly sealed container and use small portions, but expect thawed leaves to look less vivid than fresh ones.

How long does frozen basil last in the freezer?

Frozen basil is best used within about 3–6 months for its strongest flavor. Keep it sealed in small portions to limit air exposure and avoid repeatedly thawing and refreezing it; the timeframe is about quality, not a precise safety cutoff.

Can you make pesto with frozen basil?

Yes, frozen basil can be blended into pesto. Thaw it and drain excess liquid first, since the leaves soften and can make the sauce wetter than pesto made with fresh basil. Blend promptly with the oil to help limit discoloration.

What is the best way to freeze fresh basil for later?

Wash fresh basil leaves and dry them thoroughly before freezing, either whole or chopped in small portions. Pack them airtight to limit freezer burn; freezing wet leaves can create ice crystals and leave the basil especially soggy when thawed.

Can frozen basil be used as a pizza topping?

Yes, frozen basil can flavor pizza, but it is better stirred into the sauce or added near the end of baking than scattered on top before a long bake. Thawed leaves are soft and may release water, unlike fresh leaves added after baking.

Can you use frozen basil in a salad?

Frozen basil is usually not a good choice for salads where fresh leaves provide color and texture. Freezing softens the leaves, so thawed basil is better finely chopped into a dressing or mixed into a dip than served whole.

Is frozen basil as flavorful as dried basil?

Frozen basil usually keeps a fresher, greener aroma, while dried basil has a more concentrated, different flavor. They are not always interchangeable in equal amounts, so taste the dish as you cook, especially when replacing dried basil in a recipe.

Frozen basil Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin K

20.75µg · 17% DV

Vitamin A

13.2µg · 1% DV

Vitamin C

0.9mg · 1% DV

Folate

3.4µg · 1% DV

Minerals

Manganese

0.06mg · 3% DV

Copper

0.02mg · 2% DV

Iron

0.16mg · 1% DV

Calcium

8.85mg · 1% DV

Potassium ⭐

15mg · 0% DV

Sodium

0.2mg · 0% DV

Frozen basil Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

5
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Frozen basil

To burn the 1 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (5 g):

🚶

1min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

1min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

1min

Cycling

🏊

1min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Frozen basil?

Frozen basil is basil leaves preserved by freezing, sold whole or chopped. It offers a handy way to add the herb’s fresh, aromatic flavour to cooking when fresh leaves are not available.

Once thawed, the leaves are softer than fresh basil, so frozen basil works especially well stirred into sauces, soups, pasta and tomato dishes. In Mediterranean cooking it is often added near the end of cooking, or blended into a sauce; you can do the same for a brighter herbal note. It is very low in energy, at 23 calories per 100 g. Use it straight from the freezer in hot dishes, and take out only what you need to avoid thawing the rest.

How Nutritious Is Frozen basil?

Nutrient density

Very high

80/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

51/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Frozen basil Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Frozen basil Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Frozen basil Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Frozen basil Fat Profile

SATURATED

0g

MONOUNSATURATED

0g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.01g

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.