How To Dry Kitchen Garden Herbs

Today, I’m sharing gardening advice on how to dry kitchen garden herbs.  I pulled the remaining herbs from the garden today so I can dry them. So, I’m writing this post so you can grow and dry your fresh garden herbs too. Garden herbs are really easy to grow, and they add wonderful flavor to sauces and chili.  I love using my dried herbs during the winter.
I dry basil, dill, parsley and oregano.  I also freeze fresh basil in olive oil to use in dishes throughout the winter.  The dried and frozen herbs are delicious in dishes soups, pasta dishes and more.

How to dry kitchen garden herbs:

  • Remove the leaves from your herb plants and rinse the leaves thoroughly.
  • Snipe off your leaves with your fingers or scissors.
  • Dry the herb leaves on a paper towel.
  • Mark brown paper lunch bags with the names of your herbs.  For example, if you’re drying basil put Basil on your paper bag.
  • Once the herbs have dried, place the herbs in designated bags.
  • Seal each bag with tape.  Any tape will do, as long as it holds the bags closed.  I used scotch tape to seal my bags.
  • Set the bags in a cool.  Check your herbs regularly to see if they are dried and can be crumbled.  It will take several weeks for them to thoroughly dry.  However, you should check them to ensure they are drying as expected.

 

This is dry dill (below) that has been removed from the bag. Be sure to remove all stems from the herbs before storing.  I use jelly jars from my canning stash to house my herbs.  You can use plastic containers, zip lock bags or any other container that is airtight. You want to keep them dry so they will remain fresh.

 

how to dry dill. dill,

 

 

This is parsley that I have dried.  It’s great on potatoes. It is now airtight and stored in one of my jelly jars. These are nice to give as gifts too. I add a label and place into a gift basket along with salsa, chips, jam, pickled peppers and cookies for Christmas gifts.

 

 

 

I also freeze my basil leaves.  Once I’m ready to use the basil leaves,  I crush them into my dishes while cooking.  I just grab the bag from the freezer, take out a handful of the leaves and crush them directly into my sauces and chili. Fresh basil smells wonderful and taste even better in dishes.
Grow a few herbs next season.  You don’t need a large space, small pots in your kitchen window will suffice. Grow what you use.  Basil, parsley and dill get plenty of use in my house. Happy Gardening!

 

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Comments

  1. This is great, thanks. I have lots of mint that needs harvesting!

  2. I love these posts! You are inspiring me to try more things next year and I bet Amara would have a blast helping me with these.

    • It is fun to garden with kids.  It teaches them to connect with nature and learn about healthy eating.  Herbs are easy to grow and enhances the flavor of food too.  You can grow herbs in your kitchen window cell, balcony or deck.