And I love those jars!!! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The length of time will depend on the amount of herbs and the power level of the microwave oven. Cover the leaves with a rack to keep the leaves from blowing around the air fryer. Once you have them infused to your liking, pour them into ice cube trays and freeze. We live in an area thats bone dry, no bugs and right now can get upwards of 100+ degrees. Crumble with your fingers or use a mortar and pestle. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to the lowest possible temperature (usually 170-180 degrees F). I have a pretty nice batch of leaves, nice and crispy but many went to the brown side. Start with 1 minute, mix after every 30 seconds, and continue checking for dryness. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes per cup. Place a towel on a microwave-plate, then places the leaves on the towel single file, and then another towel on top. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 21,166 times. Thank you! How To Dry Basil in an Oven, Dehydrator, or by Hanging It Up - Well+Good Air dry the basil overnight. Easily dry your fresh basil clippings with this simple recipe. Also, basil will be more sweet and least bitter before it goes to flower in your garden - though we don't let flowering basil go to waste, and totally still use it! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Im concerned they are scorched and thereby have lost all their nutritional value. Other than the oven method, here are 4 other ways you can dry basil at home! Crumble with your fingers or use a mortar and pestle. Once finished, place your dried herbs into a suitable container for storage. Follow these tips for better preservation: For optimal flavor, harvest basil just before it begins to flower: To maximize the shelf life of your homemade dry basil, follow these guidelines: Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. I noticed your pic shows some brown-ish basil leaves after dehydration, so Im encouraged that I didnt let half my spinach batch simply fry in the sun. Be sure to try other reader favorites like this vegetarian pesto pasta, our healthy risotto, and our homemade alfredo sauce without heavy cream! If you choose to cut off the top of the plant, youll need to wait a few weeks before its ready to harvest again. Soak for a few minutes. To air-dry your basil, trim, wash and dry as normal. Using this simple method you'll have basil to use in your recipes throughout the year! Dry extra basil at the end of the summer so that none of it goes to waste. I grow a lot of herbs, and dehydrate most of them. If your ovens lowest temperature is 175 or 180, thats fine. To remove excess water, you can use one of the following methods: Gather small bundles of fresh basil and tie them together at the stems. Allow them to cool completely before crumbling the entire batch as they will get even more crispy as they cool. To begin the oven drying process for basil, preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 170F (76C). Water your basil plants regularly, but avoid over-watering. Place the baking sheets with basil leaves in the preheated oven, making sure they dont touch any heating elements. To store dried basil in spice jars, follow these steps: By following these storage guidelines, your dried basil will remain flavorful for use in various dishes and as a substitute for fresh basil when necessary. Maintain the temperature between 170F (76C) and 200F (93C), as this range is best suited for drying basil without compromising its quality. If you live in a particularly humid climate, you may want to set your temperature as high as 125 degrees. To air-dry your basil you will need a drying rack. Crumble your dried basil leaves and put them in an airtight container. This article will show you how to dry basil two ways: either using a food dehydrator or in the oven. ); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! This is default text for notification bar, FREE Workshop: Best Way to Keep Track of Pests l, How to Dry Basil Using An Oven or Dehydrator, @https://www.instagram.com/freshexchange/, Easy and Delicious Grilled Corn Salad Recipe. Remove the basil leaves from the stem and pat dry with paper towels to eliminate any excess moisture. Any purchases made through affiliate links are greatly appreciated as they support our work here, and enable us to continue to create and share with you! Use fresh basil from your garden, or purchase a basil from the store. Arrange the basil leaves on the racks. Now, lets go through the easy process of drying basil, step-by-step! If your oven's lowest temperature is 175 or 180, that's fine. And the best part is I grew it! Its the problem when you have just a couple basil plants but suddenly its mid Summer and theyre producing with a unstoppable momentum! Drying basil or any other herbs in your oven is safe, easy, and quite effective, but there are a few best practices you should know to get the most out of your herb. You can absolutely do it this way, but when we use a microwave to cook things it degrades the quality and nutrient values of the food we are consuming. Using this simple method youll have basil to use in your recipes throughout the year! I was thinking I could always add to salt crystals, as I have seen more of that lately where can get salt crystals with herbs in them. Prep your leaves by removing all the stems. Like most things, homegrown or homemade dry basil puts store-bought dried basil to absolute shame! Plan to prep and dry basil once all the leaves have sprouted, but before you see flowers on the stems. Plant-Based Moisturizer 3. Will a ziploc bag do? Im a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA! Since fresh basil can spoil quickly, oven-drying it not only extends its lifespan but offers an easy way to have a steady supply of basil for your culinary creations. Check every 30 seconds, rotating the herbs. This will protect the dried basil from moisture, air, and contaminants. If your oven is unreliable for any reason (or if its too hot to bake right now) consider one of your following options: We have seen the wildly popular videos that suggest you can dry basil and other herbs in the microwave perfectly in 60 seconds. My herb garden is overflowing right now especially the basil. Thanks for the inspiration! Once done, move the herbs to a bowl to allow them to cool completely. Hello Christine, you can absolutely do the same with the herbs you listed as well as many others. You can make the cubes as strong flavored as you like. Drying herbs is easy. Transfer to an airtight glass container, like these. I prefer using a Dehydrator such as this Nutriware, which we have, but there are many types of dehydrators, and most work just fine particularly for herbs. Microwave on low power (20-30%) for 1-2 minutes, checking for doneness after 1 minute. Oven drying is a simple method that requires minimal equipment or . Step 4: Place Basil Leaves on a Cookie Sheet. Drain the water and repeat the process, if necessary, until the water runs clear and no dirt remains on the leaves. Make sure basil leaves are completely clean and dry before placing them in the oven. Whether you use a dehydrator or you use your oven. Pat dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel. . Make a healthy homemade pizza or a guilt-free pasta and enjoy the fresh flavors of Italy. To dry fresh leaves from a basil plant, begin by harvesting the basil leaves from the basil plant. This recipe was so easy, thanks! Any purchases made through affiliate links are, How to Grow Bushy Basil to Harvest All Summer Long, The Besto Pesto: Lemon Walnut & Parmesan Basil Pesto Recipe, How to Make Homemade Herb Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Companion Planting 101, with Companion Planting Chart, Simple & Delicious Roasted Tomato Sauce Recipe, Growing Herbs 101: How to Start a Kitchen Herb Garden, Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (Vegan & GF Options), Preserving Garlic: How to Make Homemade Garlic Powder, DIY: Homemade Beeswax Wraps (Reusable Food Wraps). No matter the temperature, the leaves will inevitably turn slightly more brown in the oven than when drying basil in a dehydrator. 1 Harvest the basil just before it flowers. I wash the entire plant and dry mine overnight on a towel (another reason why I have so many flour sack towels!). You can also add it to a simple tomato sauce that can be frozen for winter or added to tomato sauce in the depths of winter. Separate the herb leaves from the stems and discard the stems. Place the leaves on a baking sheet. Remove basil leaves from the stem portion, and discard (compost) the stems. Your email address will not be published. Here are the steps to follow: Pluck the stems and wash your basil gently in running water. Once they are ready, remove them from the oven When you have more basil than you know what to do with, the best option is to dry it so that you can use it later. ), but if you don't have one you can use a low temperature oven and some baking sheets. Basil is one of the most aromatic and bright-tasting herbs you can season your food with, and its not half-bad when its dry either. Seeing that the name of the site is Brooklyn Farm Girl and the article states NYC, Fahrenheit was obvious. Here are some easy steps to follow for oven-drying your basil: Note: Baking time will vary depending on oven temperature, how dry your leaves are before theyre placed in the oven, how full your baking tray is, and the size of your basil leaves. Your basil leaves are ready for long-term storage when they are completely dry and can easily crumble between your fingers. By removing water from the leaves, you can prevent mold and spoilage, ensuring that your herbs remain fresh for longer periods of time. This depends on how much excess moisture is in the leaves. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Keep in touch with our weekly newsletter and receive a FREE digital, printable garden planning toolkit! Any thoughts abot Cosori or Magic Hill Dehydrator? If your herbs are damp, be sure to gently blot them dry with a towel to remove as much moisture as you can. I find that using a lid with a silicone gasket does the job, along with not opening the jar often. They need good air circulation on the baking tray to dehydrate properly. How to Dry Basil: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Remove any excess water my gently patting dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel. , Your email address will not be published. Although it may take longer depending on your air and temperature conditions. I'm Deanna, aka DeannaCat. Once you are certain your basil is fully dry you will want to store the basil in an air-tight container of your choice. Spread out your basil leaves so that they are in a. Excellent article !!! Weve got some more tips for you if this is the case. Hi, I'm Jaron, the food enthusiast and founder of Foodsguy.com. 3. Lie flat on dry paper towel, or on clean kitchen towels, and allow to dry completely overnight. Air Drying or Sun Drying Your Basil Air drying your herbs is a time-tested method that works well, but it does take quite a bit of time. When your basil is ready, move on to the next steps: Drying basil in the oven is the most popular method for most home cooks to dry their herbs. If the lowest setting is any higher than 180F you can leave your oven door slightly ajar to keep the temperature from getting too hot and burning your basil. When stored properly the dried basil will keep for a year or longer! Dismiss. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. These vegetarian Italian recipes are sure to be a hit! Hi. Drying herbs in the microwave. After making tons of fresh pesto (like this pesto without pine nuts), caprese salads, and adding to my homemade pizzas, and pastas, I dry the rest to use a simple herb in my vegetarian Italian recipes throughout the year! It does help to allow to air dry a bit. Either one works out completely fine. Store dried basil in jar for storage. Keep in mind, though, that ground herbs lose their flavor more quickly than whole or crumbled leaves. Yes! ), and air drying. Whenever I buy it, I always only need like a few leaves but end up with a big bunch! In most cases, you can substitute dry basil for fresh basil and this is particularly true if you decide to make my dairy-free pesto recipe as well. How To Dry Basil In The Oven - Step By Step - Foods Guy When herbs are dehydrated and the moisture content is removed, it makes them much more concentrated. Spread basil leaves on dehydrator trays, making sure they dont overlap. If you want your basil plant to survive your harvest and keep producing, you need to be careful to never harvest more than one-third of the plant at any given time. We like to sprinkle dried basil into the dough of our homemade sourdough bread, sourdough crackers, or sourdough pizza crust. Thanks for this great tip! Basil will be ready when it is dry to the touch. Allow to cool completely. Next, spread the basil leaves out in an even layer on your dehydrator trays or baking sheet, depending on which method youre using. Yes, you should wash basil before drying. Drying Basil in the Oven. Pat them dry. Hi! Do you find yourself with an abundance of basil and dont know what do with it? Another option is to keep the leaves as big as possible, and crush them before using in a recipe for the best flavor. Good luck and enjoy! Once prepped, youll be ready to explore the world of oven-drying basil, a technique that extends the life of this delicious herb and makes it available for future use in various dishes. My husband just ordered an Excalibur and I was looking to see what the difference in using the oven vs the dehydrator. Next, wash and de-stem all the. Dried basil is a versatile herb that can be used in various dishes. It starts with a few basil leaves and suddenly youre picking basil by the basket! If you have tried this dried basil recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In 2017, she graduated with her PhD in Egyptology from The University of Chicago, where she served for several years as a content advisor and program facilitator for the Oriental Institute Museums Public Education office. Microwave again for another 30 seconds. Do you do this with your other herbs? In it, I walk you through everything you need to know to grow, prune, harvest, and care for basil be it from seed or nursery seedlings. If you are looking for another alternative, I also highly suggest making this Dairy-Free Pesto recipe with your basil because it is freezer friendly and a great way to save basil or other dense greens like Kale or Swiss Chard when they are very abundant. Thanks Beth! Thank you for the drying idea, helped me preserve a huge batch of basil. Remove the leaves from the oven. I loved your info on drying basil and Im drying some right now. Basil is a delicious, aromatic herb from the mint family. Start by prepping your herbs No matter what method you're using to dry your basil, start by gathering all your fresh basil leaves in a large bowl, Poon says. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new articles, and receive a FREE 20-page digital, printable garden planning toolkit. U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Crumble the leaves with your fingers or using a mortar and pestle until a fine texture is reached. X Choose leaves that are a vibrant green color, with no signs of wilting or discoloration. How to Dry Basil a Step-By-Step: Gather and Harvest Basil: Gathering basil is incredibly easy and most likely you are doing it far less than you actually could. Place in the oven at the lowest temperature possible (usually 140-170 degrees F) and prop open the door with the handle of a wooden spoon. Required fields are marked *. Rinse the leaves with cool water and pat them dry with a clean paper towel or dish towel. Using a dehydrator is an efficient way to dry basil: Each of these methods has its advantages and considerations, but all can effectively remove moisture from basil leaves, preserving their flavor for future use. How to Dry Basil (Dehydrator or Oven) - Little Home in the Making Fresh basil can stay perky like this for many days! Remove basil from oven and crumble in bowl. Surprisingly it took me only 20mins for the procedure in a preheated oven. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, National Center for Home Food Preservation, Publicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Dry-Basil-in-the-Oven-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Dry-Basil-in-the-Oven-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Dry-Basil-in-the-Oven-Step-10.jpg\/aid11104602-v4-728px-Dry-Basil-in-the-Oven-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Microwave in 3x30 second bursts. Hi! If you're using a ridged silicone baking mat or metal baking rack, place it on your baking sheet. Wash basil under cool water. Yet while pesto is excellent with many meals, it admittedly isnt the most versatile thing in the world, and does require a few other ingredients to prepare. Fill a large bowl or sink with cool water, and place the basil leaves in it. Drying Herbs in the Oven: Everything You Need to Know The temp is low enough that the concern of fire is low, but every oven is different so it is important to watch them very close toward the end of their time. Any dirt from the plant will sink to the bottom. Spread out the leaves evenly in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you are not able to process the basil immediately after harvesting, simply store the cut stems in a glass of water on the counter as you would a bouquet of cut flowers. While the oven preheats, prepare your basil leaves for drying. Often people recommend hanging herbs to dry naturally, but we have limited space in NYC so I dont have that luxury. Using dry basil is simple. , Awesome!! The leaves are done when you can crumble them easily. Arrange the Basil Leaves on Baking Sheets. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Arrange the dried basil leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the tray in the oven and leave the door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. Thanks for the article. Keep in a cool dry place. Thanks! She has also developed and taught Egyptology courses at The University of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago. Check the leaves every 4 hours to be sure they do not become overly dry. Wet basil leaves are prone to molds. Tips & Tricks for Drying Herbs in a Convection Oven ), and air drying. Previously when I could still eat gluten and eggs (& etc, etc) my favorite sandwich was two slices of potato bread slathered with mayo (Dukes), one side topped with a faux American cheese slice (which they sadly stopped making), then piled high wth spinach leaves, then squish the second slice on top. So you dont want to dump it back onto your leaves. Crumble and crush the leaves with your hands. In this article, well teach you everything you need to know about drying basil in the oven, as well as a few alternatives in case you need them. How To Dry Basil Leaves? 5 Simple Ways - Limitless Cooking Dont gather more than that, as overcrowding will not allow enough air to reach each leaf. To dry basil in the oven, youll only need a few tools and will follow a straightforward process, but be aware that proper temperature and time control is essential for successful drying. You dont want too much moisture in the air when youre trying to dry herbs. It includes a couple of pruning and harvest demonstration videos too! Tuck the tray(s) of basil into the oven or dehydrator. Place the wash, rinsed and prepared basil leaves on a baking pan or cookie sheet in a single layer. How Often to Water Basil - The Spruce Remove them from the stem. and this is such a great way to preserve them for later. The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to basil is that it likes moisture. While this article focuses on how to dry basil, you may want to know how to harvest and clean your basil properly, especially if you are new to growing your own. How to Dry Basil in the Oven - Brooklyn Farm Girl Homemade dry basil should stay crunchy and delicious for well over a year, though the intensity of flavor and aroma will degrade with time. This is also a great option for a gift to give to new neighbors, friends, or for Christmas. Transfer the crumbled leaves into a spice jar. Follow these processing and storage tips to create the most fresh-tasting and long-lasting dry basil possible. If you have a dehydrator, this is a fantastic option for drying basil efficiently. (Optional, add a slice of bacon or a few pepperonis. Transfer to a large bowl. Add dry basil to all your favorite soups, sauces, stews, marinades, salad dressing recipes, quiche, casserole, roasted veggies, and more. Hey! Allow the basil to dry until it is totally crispy and crumbles easily. I have frequently found myself with more basil than I can eat as it flourishes in my herb garden. Ultimately, store your dried basil in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight for long-term use. Your email address will not be published. You can pat your leaves dry with a towel or paper towel if youre in a hurry. There are so many ways to use and enjoy dried basil. I wouldnt be too worried about the browning of the leaves so I would definitely keep them. Either one can be used as a substitute even in something like this easy summer Panzanella recipe. Cant wait to use it in recipes. I wash the entire plant and dry mine overnight on a towel. If you like, you can also gently roll the leaves up in a clean towel for a few minutes to absorb excess moisture.