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How to dry fresh basil from your garden or purchased at the store to preserve nutrients and flavor for all your cooking needs.
I had a large amount of fresh basil from my herbal garden window this season, so I thought I would share how I dried the fresh sprigs I didn’t use right away to preserve them for later use.
Like many herbs, basil is originally native to India.
It is probably best known, though, as a culinary herb used pervasively throughout Italian cuisine.
Let me just tell you that using your own fresh and dried basil and others such as freshly dried oregano really makes the flavor pop!
Here are just a few of the dishes where I use it.
- Easy pizza sauce recipe
- Homemade red sauce recipe
- Coconut flour pizza crust
- Sprouted flour pizza crust
- Almond flour pizza crust
- Breakfast pizza recipe
- Gluten free pizza crust recipe
Homemade Dried Basil
I decided to make dried basil so that I would have it available all year until I grow it again next season.Â
It was a bit intimidating at first as I had never dried herbs before.
As it turns out, it is quite easy to do!
This process is important to know for those who buy fresh herbs from the store too.
Instead of tossing the sprigs that you don’t use, why not dry them instead?
5 Steps to Dry Fresh Basil
Follow these easy steps and your fresh basil sprigs will be ready for drying in less than 10 minutes.
- Snip the basil sprigs off the main plant before it flowers. No worries if yours is already flowering, just be aware that your basil may not be quite as full flavored.
- Remove all the leaves from the stems. I like to do this by hand rather than by cutting. Discard or compost the stems.
- Chop the basil leaves into small pieces. Take care not to chop too small. I do not rinse my basil leaves as I want to preserve any natural lactobacilli and beneficial yeasts on the leaves.
- Place the basil pieces on a white, nonbleached cotton towel.  Flour sack cloths or tea towels work great.
- Put the towel in a place where it won’t be disturbed for a few days away from heat and light but with plenty of air circulation.
Process and Store
Once the basil is dry after a few days, you will notice that it retains its beautiful green color.
It doesn’t turn brown like it would if you tied up the basil in bunches and hung it upside down.
Place the dried basil pieces in a food processor and pulse a few times to chop into very small pieces if desired.
Store dried basil in an airtight container in a cupboard.
Glass will retain the flavor the best. This article on how to properly store bulk herbs gives other tips on how to best preserve potency.
Dried basil and other home-dried herbs are best used within a year.
How easy is that? Do you have special tips for drying basil or other herbs?
I dry my herbs differently than any mention here. I have to A/C filters that I put mine between and rubber band them to a box fan and turn it on low in a warm location. Cools the house some and adds a light fresh smell to the air.
Lately herbs are the only thing I get out of my garden. I’m not much of gardener. I often dry my basil, oregano, rosemary, etc!
Love doing this ~ homegrown always make everything taste better 🙂
I have some basil plants outside right now and wondering if they will grow well inside, if I bring them in for the winter? Maybe put them on a window sill. Anyone ever have luck with that?
Nickole