Learn how to dehydrate oregano with a dehydrator. It is my favorite way to dry all of my herbs! Unlike hang drying, using a dehydrator gives you a little more control of the temperature and speeds things up a little.
Why You’ll Love This Method
- Dehydrating oregano allows you to preserve the fresh flavors of your garden or store-bought herbs, extending their use throughout the year. It’s a great way to ensure you have a supply of oregano on hand for cooking, even when it’s out of season.
- Dehydrated oregano often has a more concentrated flavor than fresh, making it a powerful addition to your recipes. The drying process intensifies the herb’s natural oils.
- If you have an abundance of oregano from your garden, dehydrating it prevents waste. Instead of letting excess herbs go bad, you can preserve them for the winter months.
- The process is straightforward and doesn’t require much hands-on time. Once the oregano is in the dehydrator, it takes care of itself, making this an easy project for even the busiest schedules.
- If you grow your own oregano, dehydrating it is a cost-effective way to stock up on herbs without having to buy dried oregano from the store. Even if you purchase fresh oregano, dehydrating it yourself is often cheaper than buying pre-dried herbs.
Drying Tips
Harvest at the right time: Harvest oregano in the morning after the dew has dried but before the day gets too hot. This is when the essential oils in the leaves are at their peak, which results in the most flavorful dried oregano.
Choose healthy leaves: Select oregano leaves that are healthy and free from any damage or discoloration. This ensures the best quality dried herb.
Check frequently: Oregano can dry quickly, so check the leaves periodically after the first two hours. Over-drying can make the leaves brittle and cause them to lose flavor.
Label and date your herbs: Always label and date your dried oregano so you can keep track of its freshness. While dried oregano can last up to a year, its flavor is best within the first 6 months.
Crumble just before use: Keep the leaves whole during storage and crumble them just before using. This helps preserve their flavor and potency for as long as possible.
Equipment
- Dehydrator (I love this one from Amazon!)
- Kitchen scissors or knife
- Clean towel or paper towels
- Airtight container (such as a glass jar)
Ingredients
- Fresh oregano: as much as you have available
How to Dehydrate Oregano with a Dehydrator
Harvest the oregano: Harvest fresh oregano from your garden or use store-bought oregano. The best time to harvest is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.
Prepare the oregano: Rinse the oregano sprigs under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently shake off the excess water and pat them dry with a clean towel. Make sure the oregano is completely dry before placing it in the dehydrator.
Arrange the oregano in the dehydrator: Spread the oregano sprigs out in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Avoid overcrowding the trays to ensure even drying. If needed, you can remove the leaves from the stems and spread them out individually.
Set the dehydrator temperature: Set your dehydrator to a low temperature, around 95°F to 115°F (35°C to 46°C). Oregano is a delicate herb, so a lower temperature helps preserve its flavor and color.
Dehydrate the oregano: Allow the oregano to dehydrate for 2 to 4 hours, checking occasionally to see if the leaves are dry and crumbly. The exact drying time may vary depending on your dehydrator and the humidity level in your area.
Check for dryness: To check if the oregano is fully dried, gently crumble a leaf between your fingers. It should crumble easily and feel dry to the touch. If the leaves are still soft or pliable, continue dehydrating them for a little longer.
Cool and store the oregano: Once the oregano is fully dehydrated, remove the trays from the dehydrator and let the oregano cool completely. After cooling, remove the leaves from the stems if you haven’t done so already. Store in an airtight and moisture-free container.
More Dehydrating Recipes
Dehydrating Oregano
Equipment
- Dehydrator
- Kitchen scissors or knife
- Clean towel or paper towels
- Airtight container, such as a glass jar
Ingredients
- fresh oregano as much as you have
Instructions
- Harvest the oregano: Harvest fresh oregano from your garden or use store-bought oregano. The best time to harvest is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day.
- Prepare the oregano: Rinse the oregano sprigs under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently shake off the excess water and pat them dry with a clean towel. Make sure the oregano is completely dry before placing it in the dehydrator.
- Arrange the oregano in the dehydrator: Spread the oregano sprigs out in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Avoid overcrowding the trays to ensure even drying. If needed, you can remove the leaves from the stems and spread them out individually.
- Set the dehydrator temperature: Set your dehydrator to a low temperature, around 95°F to 115°F (35°C to 46°C). Oregano is a delicate herb, so a lower temperature helps preserve its flavor and color.
- Dehydrate the oregano: Allow the oregano to dehydrate for 2 to 4 hours, checking occasionally to see if the leaves are dry and crumbly. The exact drying time may vary depending on your dehydrator and the humidity level in your area.
- Check for dryness: To check if the oregano is fully dried, gently crumble a leaf between your fingers. It should crumble easily and feel dry to the touch. If the leaves are still soft or pliable, continue dehydrating them for a little longer.
- Cool and store the oregano: Once the oregano is fully dehydrated, remove the trays from the dehydrator and let the oregano cool completely. After cooling, remove the leaves from the stems if you haven’t done so already. Store in an airtight and moisture-free container.
