How to Dry Herbs

June 29, 2012


How to Dry Herbs
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    Savor your garden bounty just a bit longer with our tips for drying and storing herbs. With just a few tools, many of which are already on-hand, you’ll have dried herbs ready to flavor a variety of tasty recipes.

Drying Tools

Remove the bottom leaves of each stem, then make bundles of 4-6 branches. Tie the ends with string or a rubber band, then hang upside down with:

  • Hanger: With clothespins, clip the strings to a hanger, and place on a hook on the back of a door or on a doorknob.
  • Paper Bag: Poke holes in a brown paper bag, gather the end of the bag around the herb bundles, then tie shut.
  • Pasta Drying Rack: Not just for angel hair and spaghetti, a pasta drying rack is an easy solution for holding drying herbs. Just attach bundles with clothespins!

Tip: For herbs that have a high water content—basil, chives and mint—make smaller bundles.

Tip: Use a dehydrator! Place leaves in single layers on the trays, and remove any that aren’t being used. Follow manual instructions for drying temperatures and times.

Drying Tips

  • Harvest herbs for drying before they flower, and gently shake to remove insects.
  • Snip with garden scissors after morning dew is gone, but before the afternoon sun gets too hot.
  • Mist with water to clean, then pat dry. Remove damaged leaves before hanging.
  • Hang herbs in a well-ventilated room for 2-3 weeks or until fully dried.

Tip: If your herbs are growing abundantly, save a few fresh versions to craft an herb wreath, or use dried herbs to make decorative, functional potion bottles.

Quick Tip

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Storage Tips

  • Store dried herbs in airtight jars or zipper bags, in a cool, dry and dark spot.
  • Download and print our labels to keep track of when they were dried.
  • Avoid crushing herbs until ready to use in recipes.
  • Use within a year, and toss any that show signs of mold.

Tip: In recipes, substitute a teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs.

Herb Guides

Get tips about specific herbs, plus recipe suggestions with our ingredient guides:

Quick Tip

Dawn Help keep garden tools in tip-top shape by regularly hand washing them with Dawn® Ultra dishwashing liquid with active suds. It cleans 2X more greasy dishes*, and helps keep suds stronger for longer.
*per drop vs. the leading non-concentrated brand

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