How to dehydrate fresh oregano using a dehydrator. Take advantage of the last of summer herbs to make dried oregano, save money and stock your herb cabinet with my Food Dehydrator recipes.
Summer is winding down and this is the perfect time to save fresh herbs like oregano so you have them on hand to use all winter long.
Dehydrating fresh herbs like oregano is one of the easiest ways to preserve herbs to use in your cooking or making your own homemade seasoning mixes at home.
Store bought dried herbs and spices can be pricey. A great way to save money and reap the benefits of a summer herb garden is to preserve them by drying them.
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Oregano Uses
Oregano is a very popular cooking spice. Below are a few suggested ways you can use oregano when cooking.
- Mediterranean style recipes like Greek Style Chicken Thighs.
- Olive oil marinades, salad dressings, dips or dressings.
- Pepperoni Bruschetta Bites and Tuscan Tomato & Mozzarella Salad are two of my favorite ways to use oregano.
Ingredients
All you will need is some fresh oregano and water.
- Freshly harvested oregano from the garden or large bunches of store bought or oregano you have bought at the farmers.
- water
Step by step directions
The steps to dry and preserve oregano are really easy. I've included some tips I have learned when drying oregano. The drying times are suggestions.
The amount of time it takes to dehydrate oregano or any herb for that matter will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Fresh picked oregano: Harvest fresh oregano early in the morning after the dew has dried off.
- Store bought oregano: If using store bought oregano make sure you keep it fresh by rinsing in cool water and refrigerating it asap. You can also snip off the bottom of the stem and place it in a glass of water to freshen it up.
Step 1: Rinse the fresh oregano off under cold water to remove any dirt or bugs. Pinch off any bad pieces. I like to use a large bowl to soak the oregano and agitate it while I am rinsing to loosen any debris.
Step 2: Dry off the wet oregano as best as possible. You can gently pat the herb with a lint free towel. Or use a salad spinner like I do.
Step 3: Arrange the oregano on your dehydrator trays. You can stack the herb thickly on the trays or arrange single layers of the stems on the trays. The thicker amounts of herb will take longer to dry. Place the lid on the dehydrator.
Step 4: Dehydrate the oregano for two to six hours or until the herb is dry and crispy.
Step 5: Once the oregano is dry allow the herb to cool off and come to room temperature. Strip the oregano leaves from the stems. Crush the oregano leaves before storing.
Step 6: Store the crushed oregano in air tight containers out of direct light and use as needed. I use spice jars or mason jars and keep them in a dark cabinet to retain the color and flavors.
Recipe FAQS
One of the most common dishes where oregano is used are tomato based sauces like spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce.
Oregano and other fresh herbs should be dehydrated at 95 degrees. The low temperature prevents the loss of oils and flavor when drying fresh herbs.
When drying fresh oregano in a dehydrator it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Drying times can vary depending on the type of dehydrator and how thickly you have packed the fresh herbs on to the drying tray.
Recipe Expert Tips
- Harvesting oregano: Harvest fresh oregano early in the morning after the dew has dried off but before the sun in high. Fresh herbs have more flavor in the early morning before the heat of the day.
- Drying times: Thicker stemmed herbs like oregano will take longer to dry completely compared to an herb like dill or parsley which are more delicate herbs that dry quicker.
- Dehydrating temperature: All herbs should be dried at 95 degrees Fahrenheit to retain as much of the essential oils that give fresh herbs their flavors. The lower heat helps retain as much of the flavor as possible. If your dehydrator does not have an adjustable temperature use the lowest temperate and check on the herb frequently.
More dehydrating recipes
More dried herbs
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How to Dehydrate Oregano
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of fresh oregano
- water
Instructions
- Harvest fresh oregano early in the morning if dehydrating oregano from the garden.
- Put the oregano stems in a large bowl or plastic bin and cover with cold water.
- Rinse the oregano until the water runs clear with no floating debris.
- Pat the oregano dry with a soft lint free towel. Or use a salad spinner to remove all the water.
- Set your dehydrator up in a safe place.
- Arrange the stems of oregano on the dehydrator trays until you run out of the herb.
- Place the lid on the dehydrator.
- Set the temperature for 95 F. degrees. (see notes)
- Arrange the oregano on your dehydrator trays. You can stack the herb on the trays or arrange single layers of the stems on the trays. The thicker amounts of herb will take longer to dry.
- Dehydrate the oregano for two to six hours or until the herb is dry and crispy.
- Once the oregano is dry allow the herb to cool off and come to room temperature.
- Strip the oregano leaves from the stems. Crush the oregano before storing.
- Store the crushed oregano in air tight containers and use as needed.
Recipe Expert Tips
- Harvesting oregano: Harvest fresh oregano early in the morning after the dew has dried off but before the sun in high. Fresh herbs have more flavor in the early morning before the heat of the day.
- Drying times: Thicker stemmed herbs like oregano will take longer to dry completely compared to an herb like dill or parsley which are more delicate herbs that dry quicker.
- Dehydrating temperature: All herbs should be dried at 95 degrees Fahrenheit to retain as much of the essential oils that give fresh herbs their flavors. The lower heat helps retain as much of the flavor as possible. If your dehydrator does not have an adjustable temperature use the lowest temperate and check on the herb frequently.
Susan Mininger
I wash and dry my herbs with my salad spinner. It works great