Have you ever dried your own herbs before? Well, if not, I’m here to tell you it’s about as easy as tying your shoe. Seriously. A degree in rocket science is not a prerequisite. Not only is it easy, but if you have your own garden, it can be a huge money saver as well.
Yesterday was the perfect day to collect basil. From the greenhouse. Normally, I wouldn’t be harvesting basil until early July. But this year, with the addition of the new greenhouse, I was able to pick a boat load of basil about 2 months early. Yee- Haw! Just think what the pilgrims could have done if they had built a greenhouse right away. No one would of died from scurvy that’s for sure. Wait. Do we know if any pilgrims actually died from scurvy? Hmm.
Anyway… LOOK AT THIS BASIL! Isn’t she beautiful?
I was able to pick a whopping 9 ounces of the green goodness. Does anyone know the street value? 9 oz of basil… What does it go for these days? Anyone? Anyone? Quick, go ask your dealer.
Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter, because I’m not selling. Anyway, if you want to dry basil it’s really a high tech affair. There are 2 ways {that I know of} to do it. My favorite way to dry basil is via the food dehydrator.
- Pick basil
- Rinse basil off with cold water
- Blot basil dry with paper towels
- Lay basil down in a single layer on dehydrator trays so air can circulate {Mavis is naughty}
- Turn dehydrator on the “herb” setting
- Check basil after a few hours, if dry, the leaves will crumble if not… Uhh they are not dry yet.
Once the basil is dry, place it in a zip baggie and run a rolling pin over it.
Store basil in an airtight container until ready to use.
Or, if you want to go all pilgrim on me you could also repeat steps 1-3 and then leave it hanging upside down in a dark pantry and wait for it to dry out. That works too. But it’s not as fun.
If you are looking for a good food dehydrator, Amazon currently has the Nesco American Harvest Food Dehydrator
*Amazon prices are subject to change at anytime.
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Stephanie F says
Here’s the thing, though—dried basil is far, far cheaper than fresh! I would’ve made a big batch of pesto with all that beautiful basil! 🙂
Krista says
Holy moses that’s a good haul of basil! I bet your kitchen smells wicked awesome, too,
gloria says
Street value – Roanoke, VA: $2.00/ounce
Do not snort.
Mavis says
Thanks Gloria,
I knew I could count on you. 😉
Sharon says
If you have a small quantity of herbs I have found you can dry them in a hurry in the microwave. Wash them off and lay them (single layer) on a dry paper towel in your microwave. The original instructions I was given by a vendor at the Proctor Farmers Market in N. Tacoma last summer said to dry them in 30 second intervals, I start with a littel more time if I have much to dry. It only takes about a total of 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. I dried chives successfully that way last summer. It worked better much than having them fall through the holes in my dehydrator.
Jen says
I am really enjoying your blog! How do in harvest basil so that it fills out instead of becoming too tall and thin? I have never had much luck with basil and I would love to get it right this year! Thanks.
Mavis says
Jen, are you growing the basil inside? I would think it could get awfully leggy inside if it wasn’t under grow lights. If you planted it outside and it’s leggy that would be really odd.
Jen says
I planted it inside last year, so I guess that was my problem. I didn’t realize that would make a difference. This year I followed your advise and planted it in pots with tomato plants. I am so happy to have all of you companion planting ideas, it has really changed the way I am doing things this year. Thanks! I’m hoping the basil flourishes in the pots!
kathy says
I’m dehydrating my basil and have it set at 125 degrees. I think it’s my third drying session. I also made pesto and put it in ice cube trays to freeze, pop-out, then vacuum seal. There’s no going back to store bought basil and oregano, once you’ve dried it yourself. I have so much that I put in on things that I normally wouldn’t – oven baked fries, sauteed veggies, etc.— use liberally!
Simmone says
Hi, you mentioned you had 9 ounces of basil you dried, after the 9 ounces was dried, what was the weight? Im trying to get an idea of the conversion in terms of quantity, not flavor intensity.
Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Simmone, unfortunately I have no idea as I did not weigh it at the time.
Joy Burnsworth says
Love basil, this is how I dry it. Rinse basil, dry in salad spinner, place one sheet of paper towel in micro wave, place
basil on sheet cover with one sheet of paper towel, cook one minute on high, only one minute, after one minute take
from micro wave place on counter top for about 5 minutes. You now can just crumble and place in tight cap jar. I freeze most of my basil. It keeps its flavor best this way. Do not put basil back in micro wave longer then one minute can cause a fire. Only
use leaves no stems.
Lindsay says
How long will the dried basil last? Does it expire?
Mavis Butterfield says
In my experience it will last several years.
susan says
Love your blog! I have a lot of bail plants this year, and they are beginning to flower. Is there is a reason I could not dry the flowers along with the leaves?
Mary says
Basil flowers are also edible, and have a delicate flavor. They are beautiful on a salad.
cathy says
I dried my basil in my dehydrator. The leaves were a beautiful green color when I started and after about an hour in the dehydrator they all turned black. Can I still use them? How do I prevent this from happening with my next batch?
Pat Simpson says
Hello there.
I love getting your letter each day although much of what you advertise does not apply to me here in South Africa.. It is interesting hearing about veggies you grow. Most I know but was surprised to hear that you feed swiss chard to your chickens. It is the staple diet with mealie meel poridge of our rural people. I grow it in my garden too as spinach & love eating it with a white sauce.
I am a retired teacher living in a biggish town near Johannesburg. I love growing veggies but find in the winter it is a huge fight with the birds as to who will harvest them especially with the peas, cabbage & spinach. I very seldom win! Warm wishes to you!