How to Chiffonade Basil

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Learn how to chiffonade basil, a culinary technique where you stack fresh basil leaves, roll them together, and slice them thinly into strips or ribbons. This technique also works for other leafy herbs, greens, and lettuces.

Someone chiffonading basil on a cutting board.


 

Tutorial notes

  • Buying: Look for lively, firm leaves without brownish spots or discolorations. For consistent basil access, consider a full-blown basil plant (they are sold at many grocery stores in the produce section or at your local gardening store).
  • Storage: Trim the root stems of your basil bunch, place in water, cover with a clear plastic bag, and store at room temperature.
  • Chiffonading: Basil oxidizes when cut, so if you chop it, it will turn black. If you chiffonade it, only the cut edges will darken while the rest will stay bright green in color.
  • Yield: 5 fresh basil leaves will equal approximately 2 tablespoons fresh basil chiffonade.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Stack several basil leaves on top of each other and roll tightly.
Someone rolling basil on a wooden cutting board.
  1. While holding the roll of leaves tightly, slice crosswise, cutting the roll into very thin strips or ribbons.
Someone chiffonading basil on a cutting board.

Garnish with fresh basil

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Someone chiffonading basil on a cutting board.

How to Chiffonade Basil

Learn how to chiffonade basil, a culinary technique where you stack fresh basil leaves, roll them together, and slice them thinly into strips or ribbons. This technique also works for other leafy herbs, greens, and lettuces.
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 4 servings (1 tbsp each)
Course Pantry
Cuisine American
Calories 1
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Stack several basil leaves on top of each other and roll tightly.
  • While holding the roll of leaves tightly, slice crosswise, cutting the roll into very thin strips or ribbons.

Notes

  1. Buying: Look for lively, firm leaves without brownish spots or discolorations. For consistent basil access, consider a full-blown basil plant (they are sold at many grocery stores in the produce section or at your local gardening store).
  2. Storage: Trim the root stems of your basil bunch, place in water, cover with a clear plastic bag, and store at room temperature.
  3. Chiffonading: Basil oxidizes when cut, so if you chop it, it will turn black. If you chiffonade it, only the cut edges will darken while the rest will stay bright green in color.
  4. Yield: 10 fresh basil leaves will equal approximately ¼ cup fresh basil chiffonade.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 1kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 3mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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