Every summer, I gather bundles of fresh oregano from my garden and dry enough to last all year. If you've ever wondered how to dry oregano, I've got you covered with three simple methods that will work for you. Once you try it, you might never go back to store-bought!
Drying oregano
Having a supply of dried oregano or other herbs in your cupboard is always a good thing, and growing and drying your own means you can use it all year long. You know exactly where it came from, when it was harvested, and how it was handled. Plus, there's just something satisfying about grabbing a jar of dried herbs that you preserved yourself.
Oregano is one of the easiest herbs to grow and just as easy to dry. Whether you're working with a big garden bed or a few pots on your patio, a single plant can give you plenty to use fresh and dry for later. And once it’s dried, you’ll be reaching for it in everything from spaghetti sauce to zesty Italian dressing, to shrimp sausage pasta.
There’s more than one way to dry oregano, and that’s a good thing. Depending on your setup and time, you can hang it to dry, use a dehydrator, or even pop it in the oven. I’ll walk you through each method so you can choose the one that works best for you.
Fresh Oregano is all you need
The variety of oregano I used came from a miniature oregano plant. The leaves may be smaller than other varieties, but the process will still be the same.
Three methods for drying oregano
No matter the method you choose, first start by washing and drying your oregano.
- Wash oregano in cold water to remove any debris.
- Dry oregano by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel.
Air drying oregano
Air drying may not work well if you live in an area with high humidity.
- Bunch several sprigs of oregano together and wrap the stems with a rubber band.
- Tie small bunches together to ensure good air circulation. Bundles that are too thick can trap moisture and slow the drying process.
- Hang upside down in an open area in your house. Try to select an area that is out of direct sunlight.
- I hang mine in the dining room off a hutch door. The handle of the hutch is perfect for hanging, and it's in an area that doesn't get bumped.
- Hang until the sprigs are fully dried. Drying time will vary from a few days to several days.
Drying oregano in a dehydrator
- Place oregano on a dehydrator tray.
- Set the temperature to the lowest setting, around 95°F.
- Keep the dehydrator going until it is fully dried. The leaves will be dry and brittle.
Drying oregano in the oven
- Turn your oven to its lowest setting.
- Place oregano on a baking sheet lined with a rack.
- Turn the oven off and place the oregano in the oven.
- Check after one hour. If the oregano is not fully dried (the leaves will be brittle), turn the heat back on at the oven's lowest setting. As soon as it's heated, turn the oven back off.
- It is done when the leaves are dry and brittle.
Drying tips
- Harvest before flowering: Oregano has the best flavor when picked just before it starts to flower. Snip the stems in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot.
- Keep it clean: If your oregano is dusty or has dirt on the leaves, give it a gentle rinse and let it dry completely before starting the drying process. Excess moisture can lead to mold.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Whether you're air drying or using a dehydrator, keep oregano out of direct sunlight to help preserve color and flavor.
- Test for dryness: Oregano is ready when the leaves are dry and crumble easily between your fingers. If they still feel pliable, give them more time.
- Store it right: Strip the leaves from the stems and store them whole in an airtight container away from light and heat. Crush just before using for the best flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Dried oregano is best used within one year. After a year, it may begin to lose flavor and potency. It won't go bad, but it may not have as much flavor.
Once the oregano is fully dry, store in glass jars with airtight lids in a pantry or cupboard. Try to keep away from sunlight and from excess heat.
Recipes using dried oregano
- Poultry Seasoning Mix
- Blackening Seasoning Mix
- Baked Greek Chicken
- Black Bean Chili
- Bread Dipping Oil
More 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
Check out all my posts on drying herbs and preserving food!
How to Dry Oregano
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch oregano
Instructions
Wash Oregano
- Rinse oregano well with water or submerge it in a bowl of water. Drain, then wrap in a clean dish towel to remove excess moisture.
Air Drying
- Bunch several sprigs of oregano together and wrap the stems with a rubber band. Tie small bunches together to ensure good air circulation. Bundles that are too thick can trap moisture and slow the drying process.
- Hang upside down in an open area in your house. Try to select an area that is out of direct sunlight.
- Hang until the sprigs are fully dried. Drying time will vary from a few days to several days.
Dehydrator
- Place oregano on a dehydrator tray.
- Set the temperature to the lowest setting, around 95°F.
- Keep the dehydrator going until it is fully dried. The leaves will be dry and brittle.
In the Oven
- Turn your oven to its lowest setting. Turn oven off once the oven has preheated.
- Place oregano on a baking sheet lined with a rack.
- Place the oregano in the oven. Check after one hour. If the oregano is not fully dried (the leaves will be brittle), turn the heat back on at the oven's lowest setting. As soon as it's heated, turn the oven back off. The oregano is done when the leaves are dry and brittle.
Notes
- Harvest before flowering: Oregano has the best flavor when picked just before it starts to flower. Snip the stems in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot.
- Keep it clean: If your oregano is dusty or has dirt on the leaves, give it a gentle rinse and let it dry completely before starting the drying process. Excess moisture can lead to mold.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Whether you're air drying or using a dehydrator, keep oregano out of direct sunlight to help preserve color and flavor.
- Test for dryness: Oregano is ready when the leaves are dry and crumble easily between your fingers. If they still feel pliable, give them more time.
- Store it right: Strip the leaves from the stems and store them whole in an airtight container away from light and heat. Crush just before using for the best flavor.
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.
Manon Blier says
Hello
Just wondering why my oregano doesn’t smell anything????
The one I buy normally have a beautiful oregano smell. Mine when you smell it could be mistaken for parsley as far as I know. Help pls
Kathy says
Hi,
It could be the variety of your oregano. If it's growing in a pot, you might want to replace it. When selecting a new plant, rub the leaves between your fingers. You should be able to smell its scent right away.