How to Dry Herbs

By á-10966

Details

Adapted from oakhillhomestead.com

Preparation

Step 1

Oven Drying

After making dinner and turning off the oven, lay your herbs on a cookie sheet and leave it in the cooling oven overnight. By morning they'll be dry. Just wait until the oven cools off a bit before putting the cookie sheet inside; you don't want to cook your herbs.


Hanging in Bunches

Cut several stems off your plant (do not remove the leaves), tie the stems together with string, and hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place until dry. Small bundles work best, allowing air to circulate around each stalk.



Dehydrator

Lay the clean, dry herbs on your dehydrator rack and dry at the lowest temperature possible.


Redneck Dehydrator

Lay out the herbs on cookie sheets or in paper bags and put them in your vehicle on a sunny day. Added bonus: your car will smell heavenly.


Air Drying

I use this method a lot for small amounts, and it is the best way to dry small leaves such as thyme and oregano. For the small-leaved herbs, I lay the stems with leaves on a towel; for larger herbs I strip the leaves and lay them in a single layer in a flat-bottomed bowl or on a tray. Then just wait until they are dry. This can take several days.




Storage

When your herbs are dry, move them into containers with lids. Mason jars are ideal. Label and store in a dark, cool place. Don't crumble the leaves until you're ready to use; whole herbs keep better and longer than crushed herbs. Use your home-dried herbs within a year for the best quality.

When you open a jar and inhale the lovely scent, you'll be transported back to summer. You're welcome.