How to Dry Oregano (3 Methods)

🧂 Ingredients

• 4.6 oz oregano

  or as much as wanted

Instructions

• 1 Harvest oregano sprigs – the fresher they are, the longer the dried ones will
  last. Then remove the leaves from the stems (unless you are air drying the herb
  – then keep them whole).
  
  To remove the leaves, hold the stem near the top and use your fingers or kitchen
  shears to slide down the stem in the opposite direction of leaf growth. Apply a
  bit of pressure as your fingers slide down and the leaves will separate from the
  stem.
• 2 Rinse the leaves well – this is essential as lots of dust can stay on them. Then
  use a salad spinner or pat them dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel. It's
  best to remove as much moisture as possible.
  
  Next, choose your drying process.
• 3 Place the leaves on a dehydrator tray in a single layer and set the temperature
  to 105ºF/40°C. Allow them to dry for 1-3 hours or until the leaves are dry and
  brittle.
  
  Check them after 1.5 hours. If they feel dry and crumble easily between your
  fingers, they have dried enough. If not, keep them in for longer, checking
  regularly (every 20-30 minutes).
• 4 Spread the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet/s covered with parchment
  paper. Place them in the center of the oven for about 1 hour at 165ºF/75ºC (or
  the lowest temperature setting of your oven). It's best to keep the door propped
  oven with a wooden spoon to allow air circulation. 
  
  Check on the leaves after around 30-45 minutes. If they feel dry and crumble
  easily, they should be done. If not, keep them in the oven for a bit longer,
  checking them every 5-10 minutes.
  
  If your oven can go down to 105ºF/40ºC, the drying time will be 1-3 hours, the
  same as the dehydrator method above.
• 5 For this method, I recommend using some paper bags, though they are not
  necessary. 
  
  Make a small bundle of oregano sprigs (large amounts are more likely to go
  moldy) and tie them with twine or a rubber band. Punch a few holes on the sides
  of the bag and add the bundle inside and seal the bag. 
• 6 Hang the bundle upside down in a well-ventilated area, away from direct
  sunlight. The air-drying method will take about 1-2 weeks – the leaves are ready
  when they crumble easily. Also, when using a paper bag, any leaves and seeds
  that fall off will be caught in the bag.

Nutrition Info