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Drying oregano is a simple way to preserve this delicious pantry staple! Learn how to make this dried oregano recipe in a food dehydrator, via air drying, in the microwave, or in the oven.
Dried oregano is an incredibly versatile herb for home cooks. From cheesy garlic bread to spicy pickled vegetables to homemade seafood seasoning.
Drying your own oregano leaves is both easy and affordable, and I’ll show you how.
There are four methods you can use to dehydrate fresh oregano – the dehydrator, the oven, hanging to air dry, and the microwave. I’ll walk you through each of the options in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Between you and me, my preference is always to use my dehydrator. It’s energy-efficient, I can dry a lot at once, and I know it will consistently dry my herbs.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
- If your oregano stems are very “fluffy” and stick up over the dehydrator tray, place an empty dehydrator tray over the top tray to create a buffer between the oregano and the dehydrator fan.
- The oregano is ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. It will feel like dried fall leaves when ready.
- Remove dried leaves from the stems and store whole or grind in a food processor, mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder used just for spices. Oregano is also really easy to crunch up into small pieces with just your hands.
- Store in an air-tight container like a mason jar for up to a year.
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Dried Oregano Recipe (4 Ways)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh oregano
Instructions
How to Dehydrate Oregano in a Dehydrator
- Rinse the stems in a bowl of water.1 bunch fresh oregano
- Then carefully dry in a salad spinner or between layers of a tea towel/flour sack.
- Arrange the stems on the drying racks so that they aren’t touching.
- Dry oregano at 95˚F, rotating the trays every few hours.
- The oregano is ready when it is dry to the touch and has the consistency of dried leaves (~15-18 hours).
- Remove leaves from the stems.
- Allow leaves to fully cool before crushing or storing whole in an air-tight container.
How to Dry Oregano in the Oven
- Place clean oregano stems on baking drying racks set inside baking sheets. Don't let the stems overlap or touch.
- Place in the oven at the lowest temperature possible (usually 140-170˚F) and prop open the door with the handle of a wooden spoon.
- Bake for 3-5 hours. Check every 45 minutes, rotating trays and making sure leaves are not touching.
How to Air Dry Oregano
- Suspend small amounts of oregano stems in a paper bag with holes punched in it and close the top of the bag with string, yarn, or a rubber band.
- Hang in a place where it can get air circulation.
- Peek in the bag every few days. Drying time will vary depending on conditions.
Drying Oregano in the Microwave
- Remove leaves from stems.
- Place flat between two paper towels and microwave on high for 40 seconds.
- Move the leaves around and microwave in 20-second increments until the oregano is dried and crunchy (~1.5-2.5 minutes).
- This method only works well in small quantities. Do not try to dry too much at once.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
When grinding up, do the stems need removed?
Hi Joyce, in the printable recipe card I do recommend removing the leaves before storing/grinding in steps 6 & 7. I’ll copy and paste what’s written below. Please let me know if you have any additional questions!
6) Remove leaves from the stems.
7) Allow leaves to fully cool before crushing or storing whole in an air-tight container.