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Home » Preserving Food » How to Dry Basil

Published: Sep 8, 2023 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

How to Dry Basil

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Dried basil in a jar.

Learn how to dry basil with two different methods. You'll have the most flavorful and fragrant dried basil in your cupboard.

Dried basil in a glass crock.
Table of Contents
Dried basil
Key ingredients
Step-by-step directions
Recipe tips
Frequently asked questions
Ways to use dried basil
How to Dry Basil

Dried basil

I try to grow basil in my garden every year. I love fresh basil in pesto, pasta salad, savory tarts and so much more. But I also love dried basil.

Dried basil is perfect for adding to sauces, savory dishes, and any time you need a little extra flavor.

Fresh basil is delicate, but dried basil is hearty and can easily be added to recipes at the beginning and cooked for hours. It imparts a beautiful flavor.

When you grow your own basil, it's a great idea to harvest some of the basil to dry. I have two favorite ways I like to dry basil.

If you enjoy drying your own herbs, you'll also want to learn how to dry rosemary.

Key ingredients

Fresh basil leaves in a pile on a white surface.

You'll need fresh basil. Pick any amount you'd like. Sometimes when I need to prune my basil so it doesn't bolt, I'll just do a small amount. Other times, I'll pick a huge amount and dry a large batch.

Pick fresh, green leaves. You can include the tops or just the leaves. I remove most of the stems because they do get woody when they are dried.

Step-by-step directions

In the oven

  • Turn your oven to its lowest setting, about 170°F.
  • Wash basil with cool water and spin dry in a salad spinner.
Washing basil in a salad spinner.
Removing stems from basil.
  • Place basil on a baking sheet lined with a rack.
  • Place basil in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes.
  • Check basil. The leaves will not be fully dried yet. Rotate any large pieces so they can dry evenly.
  • Turn the oven off, but leave basil in the oven for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Basil is done when the leaves are very dry and brittle.
  • Remove from oven. Crush leaves into small bits and store in an airtight container.
Fresh basil leaves on a baking rack.
Dried basil leaves on a baking rack.

In a dehydrator

  • Place clean leaves on dehydrator trays, being careful not to overlap leaves.
  • Set the dehydrator to 95-100°F.
  • Dry for 4-6 hours or until leaves are very dry and brittle.
  • Crush leaves into small bits and store them in an airtight container.
Basil leaves on a dehydrator tray.

Recipe tips

  • Use a salad spinner to wash the basil.
  • Remove any large stems.
  • Drying time will vary depending on your oven or dehydrator and the amount of basil you are drying.
  • Try not to overlap leaves on the drying trays.
  • Crush leaves with your hands or place in a food processor and pulse until ground to your liking.
Dried basil leaves in a food processor.
Chopped dried herbs in a food processor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to store dried herbs?

Store dried basil or other herbs in an airtight container. I like to use small glass jars.

How long will dried basil last?

As long as the basil stays dry, it won't go bad. However, over time it will begin to lose its flavor. For the freshest basil, use within one year.

Ways to use dried basil

  • Poultry Seasoning
  • Blackening Seasoning
  • Stuffed Shells
  • Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread
  • Italian Style Meatballs
A glass jar filled with dried herbs.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

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Dried basil in a glass crock.

How to Dry Basil

Kathy
Methods for drying and preserving your own basil.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Spices
Cuisine American
Servings 1 batch
Calories 2 kcal

Equipment

  • Cookie Sheet
  • Cooling Rack
  • Dehydrator
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch basil leaves (any amount of basil can be dried)

Instructions
 

  • Remove leaves from stems and wash leaves in a salad spinner. Spin to remove all excess water.

Drying in the Oven

  • Preheat oven to 170°F or set at the lowest temperature.
  • Place basil on a baking sheet lined with a rack.
  • Place basil in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes.
  • Check basil. The leaves will not be fully dried yet. Rotate any large pieces so they can dry evenly.
  • Turn the oven off, but leave basil in the oven for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Basil is done when the leaves are very dry and brittle.
  • Remove from oven. Crush leaves into small bits and store in an airtight container.

Drying in a Dehydrator

  • Place clean leaves on dehydrator trays, being careful not to overlap leaves.
  • Set the dehydrator to 95-100°F.
  • Dry for 4-6 hours or until leaves are very dry and brittle.
  • Crush leaves into small bits and store them in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Use a salad spinner to wash the basil.
  • Remove any large stems.
  • Drying time will vary depending on your oven or dehydrator and the amount of basil you are drying.
  • Try not to overlap leaves on the drying trays.
  • Crush leaves with your hands or place in a food processor and pulse until ground to your liking.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 2kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 24mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 422IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword dried basil, dried herbs
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Dried basil in a jar.
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

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