Do you grow your own herbs either in an outdoor garden, in planters on a balcony, on your windowsill or maybe even in a hydroponic garden? And do you ever have more than you know what to do with? Pick them in bunches and hang them out to dry! There are many ways to preserve your herbs; whether that is chopping them up and mixing them with a little water or extra virgin olive oil and freezing them in ice cube trays or drying them to store in your cupboard and use during the winter time.
When it comes to drying herbs, there are a few easy tips to ensure they remain as flavorful as possible. Here is a quick rundown of what I do.
- Rinse herbs
- Tie them in bundles
- Hang them in a cool dark place and let them dry out completely (approximately 7-14 days, depending on the herb)
- Once fully dried, store them in labeled glass jars
Leave your herbs as whole as you can during storage as this well ensure they remain flavorful for months. Crushing them for storage will result in oils being released, which is where all the flavor is! While they can last for over a year properly stored, hopefully you will use them in lots of wonderful dishes over the winter months and are ready to grow a new batch the following year!
Pick your herbs to prepare them for drying.
Hang your herbs in a cool dark place to allow them to completely dry out.
Once your herbs are completely dry store them whole in a labeled glass jar for optimal freshness.
