Easy step by step instructions on how to dry oregano in 1 hour! This DIY method dries it in the oven on a baking sheet.
How to Dry Oregano
It’s the last full week of August. It doesn’t mean that Summer is over yet, or the gardening season is close to being over (does it really ever end?) but with a few months of growth your herb container might be getting out of hand. Your basil is green and lush, your mint spreads the best smells around the garden and your oregano has a mind of it’s own.
Oregano grows.. and grows.. and grows.. and takes over. Nothing can stop our oregano, including a harsh Winter. Somehow it didn’t care about the amount of snow or freezing temperatures we had because once Spring hit it started growing again.
(Before and After 1 Hour).
With a pot full of oregano growing wildly, I had to snip it down. In the past I have air dried oregano but honestly I’m a bit impatient. Plus it’s alot of work. You have to separate the oregano, tie it up, check it periodically, take it down. Ok, maybe it’s not that much work but it’s alot more work than this method.
Plus this method isn’t going to take up a bunch of space. When we air dry herbs we have to use the area near our front door which is already overrun with storing onions. This isn’t going to take up any room!
Drying Oregano in the Oven
How to Dry Mint worked so well (enjoying a cup of mint tea right now!) that I went back to this method for the oregano. Not only did it work great but it was even quicker! Drying oregano only takes 1 hour in the oven.
After it’s dried, crumble it up and put in a jar. Oregano is one of my favorite herbs to use in cooking and I use it from sprinkling on layers of lasagna to seasoning meat to adding to stews. Here are some of my favorite oregano recipes using dried oregano.
Enjoy this quick drying oregano method! How do you like to use dried oregano? Let me know in the comments!
How to Dry Oregano in 1 Hour
PrintIngredients
- Fresh Oregano
Instructions
- Pick oregano. Let oregano sit over night in your kitchen. This is a important step.
- On the following day preheat oven to 170 degrees F.
- Put oregano in one layer on cookie sheet.
- Bake oregano for 1 hour.
- Once out of the oven take oregano and crumble leaves into a container.
- Store in jar, preferably in a dry dark cabinet shelf.
Erin says
Can you do this with green onions?
Karen says
Works very well, thanks so much for the recipe. Was wondering what the reasoning behind leaving it on the counter for a day. Just curious.
Pamela says
Hey Karen, glad this worked well for you! We let it sit out so it’s completely dry. Often times the oregano might be a little wet if you’re bringing it in from the garden or farmers market and if it’s wet… it will take forever to dry! 🙂
Jonathan says
Nice tutorial! I was wondering though, is it 170 degrees Farenheit or Celsius?
Pamela says
Hey Jonathan, it’s Farenheit. 🙂
lori @ The HealthMinded.com says
Oregano is one of my favorite spices to cook with, grow in my yard (so easy) and it is full of health benefits. Studies are indicating the oil of oregano can be a great antibacterial as well! This is a great post on how to dry oregano and I will pin for sure. Thanks!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Perfect timing for finding this conversation! I have a lot of mint, rosemary, and basil that I know will die once the cold sets in for the fall. I know what I will be doing this weekend. Thanks! Pinning
Craftynail says
what a cool post. i didn’t know you could dry herbs in a hour!
Kelly says
I love this tutorial! I usually have a whole bunch of garden herbs that end up going to waste since I can’t use them all in time before the winter – I can’t wait to dry them this year instead 🙂
marcie says
This is a great way to utilize those herbs — and what a great gift to give someone! 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
Such great post! Love drying my own herbs! Oregano is definitely my favourite!
Isadora @ she likes food says
I’ve been drying a lot of my herbs lately and I get a bit impatient with them too! That is a great tip to dry them in the oven! I didn’t grow oregano this year, so maybe I’ll go to the store and buy some fresh stuff just so I can dry my own 🙂
Ashley says
I love this tutorial! I’ve never tried drying my own herbs before … but I really should give it a go! Oregano seems like a good place to start 🙂
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Pamela – I think your oregano’s hardiness is testimony of your plant growing/revitalizing skillz!
Love this one hour drying technique – thanks so much for sharing it!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Your oregano is tough! It lasted through the winter?!?! That’s amazing! Loving how you preserve all your herbs! I’m going to have to try this!
Choc Chip Uru says
This is a great pictorial, thanks for all the tips 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
Great tutorial!
Anna Johnston says
As always, you are most helpful Pamela! 🙂
Fabulous tute! I really should start drying my herbs, as the herbs in my garden seem to be the one thing I always get right.
Hmmm… I use dried oregano is salad dressings, in risotto, pasta … actually, it seems to be an ingredient I use a bit in lots of my cooking.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
That was a VERY interesting post. I have a ton of oregano. Thanx
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
What a great tutorial! Next year, I am definitely drying my herbs. I didn’t plant a garden this year (boo!), but last year I did, and I had so much thyme and rosemary, etc. Drying it is a great idea!
Sarah @ People, Places & Plates says
So simple, going to try this soon!
Mary Frances says
Great tutorial!
Your GIF is super cute! I want to see more!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I literally just put some oregano on the table to sit!
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
Love this post! I have a bazillion herbs I want to dry now!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a great tutorial, Pamela! I definitely need to starting drying out my herbs more. Pinning for the future!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I just dried some rosemary and thyme yesterday…thanks for sharing this, Pamela. The gif is cute.
Kelly @ Trial and Eater says
I just made my first gif! So fun 🙂
cheri says
Hi Pam, will try this method, very smart leaving the leaves on the stalk to dry and then removing them after drying, much easier. Great post!
Mason Canyon says
If only I could get my herbs to grow that well. Great tip for drying herbs quickly, thanks.
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
Ohh I love those customised gifs, they look so cute! Keep them going please!
And thanks for this brilliant idea! I’d have never said that itwas possible to dry oregano in the oven. Such a helpful tip indeed!
Enjoy the rest of the summer! (And that cup of tea) xxx