I enjoy growing herbs and being able to use fresh herbs in recipes throughout the summer. However, once the herbs begin to bolt or colder temperatures threaten the plants with a freeze, I know it is time for me to give up my fresh herbs and dry the herbs, so I can use the dried herbs all winter long.
There are many ways to dry fresh herbs. I have included 2 methods for air drying herbs and 2 methods for drying herbs with heat. All of the below techniques are easy, some of the methods are slow, others fast, but they all are frugal.
How to Prepare Herbs for Drying
Pick herbs before they bloom, if possible.
Wash them in cool water to remove dirt and bugs. Pat with a towel to dry.
Remove leaves from the stems (unless you are hang drying the herbs). You can do this quickly by pinching the stem between your index finger and thumb and slicing your fingers down the stem. Most of the leaves will easily fall off.
How to Air Dry Herbs
Air drying takes longer than heat drying, but you don’t have to worry about burning your herbs or heating up the house.
How to Use a Cooling Rack to Dry Herbs
- Place a paper towel on a cookie cooling rack.
- Place herb leaves in a thin layer on the paper towel.
- Place another paper towel over the herb leaves. Let sit until leaves are dry and crumble easily in your fingers.
- Store the dried leaves in an air tight container.
This method takes 2 -3 days. It is faster than most other air drying methods, but you must have a spot that you can leave the herbs undisturbed for several days.
How to Hang Herbs to Dry
- Take several branches of herbs and wrap a rubber band around the stems.
- Hang upside down by the rubber band. If you can hang it from a rack it will allow more air to circulate around the herbs.
- It takes about a week for the herbs to dry. Once dry, remove the dried leaves from the stem.
- Store the dried leaves in an air tight container.
Since I live in the country and we have a lot of dirt, I am concerned about leaving herbs uncovered. So before I hang my herbs to dry, I often place them in a paper lunch sack and dry herbs in a paper bag. Herbs take a few days longer to dry in a bag, but ensuring they are dust free is worth it to me. I also use this method when drying cilantro flowers that have gone to seed because the bag catches the falling seeds. Then I save them and grind the cilantro seeds to make coriander.
How to Dry Herbs with Heat
You can dry herbs quite quickly with heat. The microwave method is the fastest, but you must be careful to check them frequently and only heat the herbs for short periods of time.
How to Dry Herbs in a Microwave
- Place a paper towel on a microwave safe dish.
- Put a thin layer of herb leaves on the paper towel.
- Place another paper towel over the herbs.
- Microwave on high power for 1 minute.
- Microwave for an additional 30 seconds at a time until leaves are dry enough to easily crumble between your fingers.
Most herbs will be dry in 2 – 4 minutes.
How to Dry Herbs in the Oven
- Place herb leaves in a thin layer on a cookie sheet or oven safe pan.
- Place the pan in the oven and turn it on to 180 – 200 degrees. Leave the door open while the leaves are drying. This will take from 2 – 4 hours depending on the thickness of the leaves you are drying.
- When they are dried through, remove the herbs from the oven. Allow to cool completely before storing.
How to Store Dried Herbs
After you have ensured that the herbs are dried through, store them in an air tight container. If necessary, remove the leaves from the stems before drying. You can store the leaves whole and crush them before using them or you can crumble the leaves up prior to storing. You can also blend them with other spices to create your own unique spice mixes.
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Allison Taylor says
My grandmother used to dry herbs on the porch in front of the house. I remember her winter meals with dried herbs, they were delicious.
I don’t keep her tradition, though, as I grow my herbs indoors all year round. 🙂 I like the taste of fresh herbs on a salad.
Allison from Gardening Services London
Donna says
How long will the herbs last, if dried?
Jeff says
Can you dry fresh herbs in a food dehydrator?
René says
Yes, you can use a dehydrator, which is what I use. It takes any where from 6-24 hours, I like this slower method. If I am hurried, or have a gigantic load to dry, I might use my sister’s microwave. I gave mine away so as not to tempt me into buying processed foods. Directions for use come with dehydrator (inexpensive, small, 5-tray one from Amazon). You can also google or pinterest instructions. Have fun!!