How to Dry Oregano

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5 from 2 votes

Learning how to dry oregano is a great way to get the most out of any leftover fresh herbs in your kitchen.

Prep Time1

Cook Time2

Total Time3

Course: Seasoning

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 1kcal

Author: Fox Valley Foodie

Equipment

Spice jars

Ingredients

1 bunch fresh oregano

Instructions

Hang Dry

Tie the fresh oregano stems with twine or a rubber band and hang them in a warm, dry place with plenty of sunlight.
After one week, check the leaves daily to monitor their dryness. This method can take up to two months, depending on temperature and humidity.

Microwave

Place fresh oregano on a microwave-safe plate in an even layer and microwave on high for sixty seconds.
Check the leaves for dryness and continue microwaving for thirty seconds at a time until all of the leaves gently crumble when pressed.
This method is best done in small batches, and you can expect each batch to take less than two minutes to finish.

Dehydrator

Set your dehydrator to 95 degrees and spread the oregano evenly across your dehydrator trays in a single layer.
Dehydrate the oregano for two to six hours, or until the leaves are dry and can easily be crumbled. You want to remove them from the dehydrator before they turn brown.

Oven

Set your oven to 175 degrees and place the oregano on a wire rack over a baking sheet in the center of the oven.
Bake the oregano for thirty minutes, periodically checking for dryness. Remove the leaves from the oven before they turn brown.

Notes

I personally, do not recommend using the oven method. It leads to the worst results by far. Drying oregano in the microwave is the best method I tested and the one I recommend.

Whichever method you use, you will want to first rinse your fresh oregano with cold water to wash it, then dry it by gently patting it with paper towels or using a salad spinner to remove excess water.

After drying, the dried stems can be discarded and the dried leaves can be stored in a spice jar and placed in a dark cabinet for two or three years.

Nutrition