How to dry your own herbs from the garden.
I know. This isn't really a recipe, except that it's making such a difference to my food lately, I can't NOT post about it.
I planted just 3 oregano plants about a year ago and the abundance billowing out from of them now is of epic proportion. If I don't take some scissors to them once a week, I think they'd grow to my knees. Initially, I confess, I threw away what I wasn't using. Which I know is Just. Wrong. So I started to dry my own herbs.
I read that to dry herbs, you tie it them bundles, hang them upside down, and let them dry. But I have a MOUNTAIN of oregano. I calculated I would need a couple of spools of string, and it started to feel like more trouble than I wanted. I wanted "EASY".
So I dug out a broad shallow basket I use as a tray for napkins, placemats, and silverware when we eat on the deck, and headed to the garden.
I snipped off a bunch of oregano, washed and dried it and threw it all in the basket and set it outside in the sun. Once a day, I tossed it around a bit. After 4 days, it was all nicely dried. I stripped the leaves off and piled them into a jar. When I want to use some, I roll some leaves between my fingers to release a fresh explosion of oregano. So easy, and so much flavor. I may never go back to store-bought again.
Here are some tips I learned along the way should you decide to do this at home:
Herb Drying Tips...
- Snip the herbs before they're hit by mid-day sun. Just after the dew evaporates is great.
- If you dry them in a basket like I do, make sure there's good air circulation. My basket is a somewhat loose weave and raised a little from the table, and I toss the herbs once a day.
- It's fine to expose them to morning sun, but the strength of afternoon sun tends to bleach them out and destroy some of the flavor. I place my basket on a table under an awning where it receives sun until around 10:30am. Sometimes I place it under a sun umbrella where it's in the shade all day. Both methods work great.
- Remove the leaves as soon as they're crispy-dry to preserve as much flavor as possible, and place in a jar or other container you can tightly close with a lid. And don't forget to slap on a label - especially if your herbs were a special kind of basil or thyme.
- Experts state freshly dried herbs will stay fresh for about a year, but mine are typically used up after a few weeks. So I can't weigh in on that.
I'm also interested in hearing any tips and methods you've learned along the way! Please feel free to share them in the comment section below!!
Lynda - TasteFood
It's so easy to dry herbs and I never do it. Thanks for the prompt!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I just started doing it this year with my bumper crop, so you're not alone!
apuginthekitchen
I did this with thyme and mint I will have to take your advice and shade them from the sun during the time when it's strongest. I love having dried herbs for the winter. Great tips Susan.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Me too - and they make great little hostess gifts too. It's something most everyone can use 🙂
Norma Chang
Thanks for the herbs drying tips, my herbs are growing well but I somehow never got around to drying them, your post is just the incentive I need to get moving.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I imagine you have a ton of herbs too, Norma!! I admit this is the first year I've finally done it, and now I'm on my 4th cutting today for the next round of drying 🙂
lizthechef
In the old days, I was taught to dry herbs in a slow oven - absolutely no need! I tend to hang bunches of basil, thyme and mint upside down in my kitchen because it makes me feel French 😉
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Yes, we can all pretend we're living in Provence somewhere, surrounded by herbs and lavender !!!
Peter
Thanks a lot! That has been great therefore easy to make.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I'm all for easy, especially in the summer!
Michelle
Fantastic, I am going to this straight away! I have herbs coming out of my ears right now.
Michelle
*to do this....
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Totally! I couldn't even find some of it because the oregano had bushed out so much!!
Kim - Liv Life
What a fabulous idea!! I always have plants that seem to go a little wild, and why I've not thought to dry them is beyond me. Thanks for making it easy!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Same here. And now that I'm doing it, it's so easy! I'm going to take a cue from a friend of mine who commented above, and pretend now that I'm in the countryside of Provence when I'm doing it 🙂
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
This couldn't have come at a better time! I've got lots of summer savory that I was wondering what to do with. Now I know just how to preserve it. Yay!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Oh I love summer savory!! And it's a terrific herb to have on hand year-round!
Nicole
I've never dried my own herbs. I'll have to give it a try!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
It's so easy, Nicole!! You'll wonder why you hadn't done it before - I know I did 🙂
Ashlee
Brilliant! thanks for sharing
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Ashlee, and thanks for stopping by!!
Oui, Chef
Oregano is a seriously prolific producer. Thanks for the drying tips, sounds like a great technique.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Seriously Steve, it's like the kudzu of herbs. Sometimes I feel I can just watch it growing. And now I'm using dried oregano in all kinds of things 🙂
Christina
Oh yes, I dry my bay leaves, basil and rosemary...love it, and it does taste way better than bought!
cheri
Hi Susan, I have tons of fresh oregano right now and will be following your instructions closely to dry mine. The basket is a great tip. Also there are a lot of recipes where I think the dried Oregano works better than the fresh. Thanks!
mjskit
Oh it's time for me to start drying as well. Dried oregano is so much better than fresh oregano which is weird, and opposite from most herbs, but then that's my opinion. 🙂 You method looks great! Since it is so dry here in NM, all I have to do it lay it out on a sheet pan, and put it on the top shelf of the pantry for a few days. Dries right up. 🙂 This was a great post Susan because growing and drying your own herbs is something that everyone can do. It's easy!
Martin Eising
Excellent post, thanks. My wife dries a lot of wild edibles using a wooden frame with a wire mesh stapled to it, allows for tons of air flow. And oregano is so amazing, it seems it can even kill off the MRSA bug!
Grace
Wonderful procedure to dry herbs from my garden. I followed each and every step and finally got success! I really appreciate this type of valuable information from where people can learn important things. I will look forward to your next article anything regarding herbs. Thank you
https://gardenley.com/
Truly, we would all be able to imagine we're living in Provence someplace, encompassed by herbs and lavender
Jackson
What a artistic beauty of nature! Great illustration and awesome work you have done.