A Quick Way To Dry Herbs

Being the avid gardener that I am, I also grow my own herbs:  basil, oregano, parsley, dill, cilantro, chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm.  I discovered an easy way to dry herbs using the microwave.

First, pick the fresh herbs in the morning, shortly after the dew dries.   Then I wash any sprigs that need it, and let the herbs dry on a kitchen towel for a couple days in my warm kitchen.

A towel full of parsley ready to dry. 

Then put a small amount on a paper towel:

Next, cover with another paper towel, and put the whole "package" into the microwave for 1 minute. 

After a minute, the bottom towel will be a little wet, and the top towel not so much wet.  Put the herbs on a fresh paper towel, cover, and microwave for another minute.  Keep doing this until the herbs are dry enough to crumble with your fingers.  For basil, you might have to do 5 or 6 minutes in the microwave, one minute at a time.   As you dry the herbs, you can often re-use the paper towels, as they won't be as wet.  When the herbs are dry, crumble them (discarding the stems) onto wax paper and then funnel the dried herbs into jars.   They will keep nicely for a year in a cool dry place (NOT in a sunny spot next to the stove!). 

Parsley dries quickly in just a few minutes.  Dill dries very quickly, too.  Other herbs might need a few more minutes.  Always do one minute at a time and change towels (or re-use the drier ones).   This is quicker than using a dehydrator, which needs an overnight time.  I have tried drying herbs in an oven at 200 degrees, but that uses more electricity and takes longer than just a few minutes.  If you like to grow things, try growing your own herbs and drying them this way!

Basil, parsley and oregano