One of the ways that is often recommended to dry fresh herbs is to hang a bunch upside down in a dry spot with good air circulation. I have done this, but have not been satisfied with the results. The herbs dry well enough but don’t have the strong taste I’m looking for.
As much as I would love a dehydrator, it’s just not in the budget right now. So, I’ve been drying herbs (and tomatoes and blueberries and squash) in my oven. I’m delighted with the results! The herbs taste and smell wonderful.
After harvesting the herbs, I cut the leaves and smaller stems with my wonderful herb scissors onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. I spread them evenly into a layer, no more than 1/2″ thick and place them in a 150 degree oven. I stir occasionally.
The herbs are dry in 1 – 3 hours depending on the type and the amount of herbs on the tray. In general, parsley takes an hour, and a wetter herb like basil takes 2 or so hours. I store the cooled herbs in an airtight container and I’m good to go.
Do you dry herbs? What’s your method?
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Agi's Farmhouse Kitchen says
I like the idea of drying blueberries. Have you tried other fruit as well?
susanv says
So far just the blueberries. I just plunged in and did it w/o reading up on it. They are a bit chewy and I like them, but then I read that if you blanch them for 30 seconds first they will be more like raisins. I may try that although I’m always looking for the easiest method.
Perrie says
As far as the blueberries, why don’t you just freeze them? That’s what I do. I use them for baking. If you roll them in a little flour, they don’t sink to the bottom of your cake batter.
susanv says
I have frozen berries for years, but I’m not satisfied with them for pies. They become too watery. They are fine for the blueberry buckle I make. I just thought I would give drying them a try. The dehydrated berries take up so little storage space. I’m likin’ it!
Mrs. Petrie says
We have a dehydrator and it takes a very long time to dry food. It is also very loud.
susanv says
Thanks for the tip. What brand dehydrator do you have? I’ll be sure to avoid it.
HappyMrsBass @ LAMS says
Susan… way to use the resources you have! Your house must smell amazing right now… I think I can smell the herb-y aroma through my computer screen, LOL! Thanks for sharing at LAMS!
susanv says
Yes, it’s been delicious! And I’m all stocked up for the winter!
Kristel @ Healthy Frugalista says
I’m lov’in the herb scissors! Three blades means three times as quick. They would be a great help you’re drying or freezing a large quantity of herbs.
We have an interesting man in our neighborhood who pretty much lives off the land. He dries several grocery bags full of parsley, with a homemade sun dehydrator, and uses that as his main green vegetable though out the winter. He inspired me to grow enough parsley to use it more like a vegetable than an herb, Parsley as a Vegetable
susanv says
I understand that they also carry 5 blade scissors! Hey, thanks for the great tip about the parsley. I read your post and posted it to my fb page.
Amanda @Natural Living Mamma says
I usually hang my herbs when it is too hot to use the dehydrator. It works great and you don’t have to worry about heat denaturing enzymes and proteins. Its easy too! http://wp.me/p2pBvv-mI
susanv says
I just haven’t had the same flavorful success with hanging as I have with drying in the oven. My understanding is that the enzymes stay intact as long as dry heat is under 150 degrees. Thanks for visiting!
Beth says
Clever and easy method for saving herbs – thanks for sharing.
susanv says
You are welcome. Let me know if you try it and how it works for you.
Foy Update says
Hi Susan,
I use my dehydrator mostly for tomatoes, but I also do herbs. I picked it up off craig’s list for a twenty bucks. I’ve heard putting herbs on a paper towel on a cooling rack on a cookie sheet in the oven is also a good way to get even drying. My friend also uses the back of her car parked in the sun. Her car reeks of Italian cooking!
We’re having our inaugural Eat Make Grow Blog Hop. We are looking for folks to link up who want to share what they have been eating with their families, growing in their gardens or making with all their creative impulses. If you’re interested, I hope you’ll hop on over and link up a couple of your posts. It’s a way for you to grow your readership and find other like minded mamas.
Hope to see you there,
Foy
http://foyupdate.blogspot.com/2012/08/inaugural-eat-make-grow-blog-hop.html
susanv says
Thanks for the invite! I’ll see you there. I have heard of people drying things in their cars, but haven’t tried it myself. I have dried tomatoes on my garage roof w/cheese cloth over them to protect them from insects. As long as the weather is hot and dry, it works perfectly.
Rosemary Aubut says
Very interesting! Love this!
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says
That’s a great solution. We do have a dehydrator – it was a gift. We haven’t used it yet this summer though.
susanv says
Oh, for such a gift!
Nancy says
I do the hanging-upside-down thingy. It’s so dry in our house, it works pretty well. 🙂
Laurel says
I will definietly have to give that a try.
Debra @ Sweet Kisses and Dirty Dishes says
I would do this IF I could grow anything besides kids. I bet it tastes better because there is less exposure to air and sun.
Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2day Wednesaday. Hope to see you back next Wednesday.
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
This sounds like a great frugal method of drying herbs. I’m quite lucky in that most of my herbs will keep growing through the winter here in the UK so I don’t often have to dry them but if I ever need to I will definitely give this a try!
susanv says
Fresh herbs all winter! (Sigh).
Alica says
I really like this idea…I’ve been using the microwave, but haven’t been super thrilled with the way it works. Thanks!
susanv says
Give it a try! and the microwave may be destructive to the herbs.
Rosalyn says
I was planning on hanging them up, but I like this idea–but I think my oven temperatures start at 170. I’ll have to check at my parents’ (same subdivision!) to see if theirs goes any lower. I was a bit worried about upside down herbs getting dusty and gross, and we have some killer humidity here right now, so I’m not sure how well they would even dry. I love this idea!
susanv says
Rosalyn, my (gas) oven dial lists the lowest temperature as 200, but the way it works, I don’t have to turn it to that point. It ignites at a much lower temperature. 170 will work fine, but may destroy some enzymes in the herbs.
Zona says
Rosalyn, I use an oven thermometer so that I can get an accurate reading. They are inexpensive, and really help when temperature matters. You may be able to go past the 170 numbers (downward in temp) and still keep the oven on, getting your reading from the thermometer, not the knob.