How to Dry Store Bought Herbs

Fresh herbs are always available at the grocery store or supermarket. But sometimes your recipe needs only a fraction of the packaged herb, and it would be such a waste to just throw the rest away. Of course, you can cook more dishes, but another option would be to dry the herbs and store them for future recipes. Here are easy tips on how to hang dry store-bought fresh herbs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh herbs from the store
• Elastic ties or small rubber bands
• Paper clips
• Airtight containers

1. Perform the drying process before the store-bought herbs start to deteriorate. Make sure all of the stems and leaves are in good shape. Discard the leaves that are turning black or withering away.

2. Group the herbs into small bundles. This will help dry the stems and leaves more evenly.

3. 
   Bundle with elastic tie.

   Tie the bundles with elastic ties. Small rubber bands will also work. These ties will prevent the dried stems from falling out when they shrink as they dehydrate.

4. 
   Attach paperclips.

   Use paperclips to hang the bundles.

5. 
   Hang to dry.

   Hang the herb bundles in a dry, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight. Good ventilation will ensure that the herbs dry properly and don't rot, grow molds or attract insects.

6. Check the bundles regularly to determine if they are drying well. Different herbs require different drying times.

7. 
   Pack in airtight containers.

   Pack them in airtight containers.

8. Label each container with the herb name and storage date.

9. Use the dried herbs within a year's time for best results.

Tips & Warnings

• When hanging the herb bundles, space them well so that air can properly circulate around them.
• Moisture is the enemy of herb drying. Be sure to choose a location that will be safe from moisture buildup throughout the drying process.
• If molds develop any time during the drying process, discard the whole batch.
• The best storage containers for dried herbs are airtight glass jars that are slightly dark to minimize exposure to light.

Resources

• Herbs2000: Drying Herbs
• GrowHerbs: Grow and Dry Herbs at Home

[evgnspaces]

on 6/28/2009 Very nice details for drying fresh herbs.

[121temps]

on 10/19/2008 Thank you, i have started growing some herbs and was wondering how to dry the extra......5*

[bmi57]

on 10/19/2008 Thank you so much, I didn't relize that it was so easy to dry herbs.*****

[iamageniuster]

on 10/18/2008 Excellent tips! Thanks for sharing. 5 stars!

[kohuether]

on 10/16/2008 I use several methods to dry herbs - I often put them in paper bags or tie them with string and hang them upside down. The paper bag method is my favorite. But when I tie them, I use kitchen twine not elastics. I'm clumsy and am afraid I'll ruin the herbs when taking the elastic off.