How to Dry Fresh Oregano - 3 Easy Ways

Homegrown fresh oregano is a great addition to any kitchen garden and easy to preserve to use all year long. How to dry your fresh oregano leaves to use in pasta sauce, rubs, soups and so much more.

Do you grow fresh herbs in your summer garden? Then you know that homegrown herbs are far better than any version you can purchase at the store.

They have such intense flavor, grow endless supplies, and are also easy to preserve for future months. 

Another herb I cannot get enough of in the summer is fresh parsley. It goes great on salads, in sauces or on top of a fresh filet of salmon. Learn how to harvest and store your fresh parsley.

Jump to:

• How to Grow and Harvest
• Air-Drying Method
• Oven Drying
• Food Dehydrator
• How to Store Dry Oregano Leaves
• Recipe

How to Grow and Harvest

Oregano is such an easy herb to grow. It is a hardy herb plant that grows like crazy and can be planted in pots or in the ground. 

Here are some things to remember when growing oregano: 

• It is a perennial plant
• They like direct sunlight
• Plant in late spring/early summer when the frost has passed
• Avoid excess moisture when watering
• The best time to harvest is right before flower buds start to develop in late summer
• Harvest by cutting the base of the oregano stems
• Oregano plants make great ground cover
• Can grow in pots

Learn more about how to grow and harvest your own oregano.

Now that you have your own oregano, learn three different ways to preserve it for later.

There are three different methods to dry fresh oregano, and I will break down each one for you.

The fastest ways are going to be in the oven or a dehydrator, but sometimes the heat can take away some of the flavor.

My preferred method is air drying. It takes more time but is going to give you the best flavor in your oregano.

Wash first:

Before you get started, make sure to give the oregano sprigs a good rinse and gently pat dry with a paper towel or cloth.

Air-Drying Method

This easy method is going to give you maximum flavor, requires very little equipment and is hands off.

This is the best way to dry oregano. Just group the stalks together, tie them with some twine, and hang them in a dry place until they are ready. 

Pros of Air-drying

• Little effort
• No equipment needed
• Keeps the most flavor
• Smells fragrant

Cons of Air-drying

• Can take a few weeks up to a month
• Can develop mold if in an environment with lot's of moisture
• Takes up space

Step one:

Harvest fresh oregano sprigs or use ones you found at a farmers market or grocery store. Give them a good wash and pat dry.

Step 2: Take twine and tie together about 5-6 sprigs at the bottle of the stalks. Too many in one bundle will prevent good air flow.

Step 3: Find a spot in your house that stays at room temperature, has good air circulation and not a lot of moisture.

Hang the bundles upside down and leave them for 1-4 weeks.

The exact amount of time will depend on the conditions of your home. It can take anywhere from a week to a month.

They are done when the leaves and stalks are brittle and fall apart easily.

Air drying is going to give you the most flavor.

Oven Drying

Another easy and quick option is going to be drying them in the oven. Here are some pros and cons to this method:

Pros to oven drying:

• It's the quickest way
• Can do a lot at one time
• Easy

Cons to oven drying:

• Can heat up the house
• More labor intensive
• Can loose flavor from the heat

Here is how to dry oregano in the oven:

Step 4:

Place in the oven with the door slightly propped open and let it dry for 2-3 hours. Check in every 30 minutes and rotate the baking sheet.

It is important to prop the door so all the moisture can escape. The leaves will not dry out if there is moisture.

Food Dehydrator

A food dehydrator is going to be another great option to dry out your fresh oregano.

Pros of Dehydrating:

• Lower temp than the oven
• Don't have to prop the door open
• Don't have to rotate trays
• Dries out quickly

Cons of Dehydrating:

• Expensive equipemnt
• The heat can take away some flavor
• Gets warm

Step 1:

Give them a good wash and pat dry.

Step 2:

Place the oregano on the dehydrator tray and set the temp to 90-100 degrees.

Step 3:

Let it run for 1-3 hours or until the leaves are dry and crumble easily when handled.

Now that they are dry, add them to your favorite recipes or store them for later use. 

Learn more on how to dry fresh herbs in a dehydrator.

How to Store Dry Oregano Leaves

Remove the leaves from the stalks and dice or crush up into small pieces.

Dried oregano leaves will have a long shelf life and can last 6 months up to a year when done correctly. 

Store your fresh dried oregano in a glass jar, spice jar, or another airtight container. 

Keep in a dry, cool location.

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Recipes that use oregano:

Other Herb Resources:

Recipe