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If you are wandering How to Dry Thyme these easy steps will take your fresh thyme to dry thyme easily. Dry thyme is easy to store and add to your favorite recipes.
How to Dry Thyme:
We love to cook with fresh herbs. The flavor is so intense that it adds some extra flavoring to our dishes. Occasionally we will have to much, so we need to do it.
There are multiple ways to dry thyme leaves. You can oven dry, food dehydrator, or air drying naturally. But we are showing the easy way to dry it in the oven.
There are many health benefits to add thyme to your recipes. As well as adding tons of flavors to your favorite recipes. We are going to show you how to dry and store this favorite fresh herb.
What is Thyme:
Thyme is a herb that is a cluster of leaves that grow on a thin stem. Thyme is used in many dishes. Sometimes it is added along with other herbs or by itself. Thyme is a member of the mint family.
It also offers many health benefits such as boosting immunity and good source of Vitamin A and C.
What you Need:
- Fresh Thyme
How to Dry Thyme in the Oven:
- Prepare Thyme – Wash and thoroughly dry the fresh thyme. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F. Remove any excess water.
- Place thyme on baking sheet – Then spread out the fresh thyme on a baking sheet in a single layer. If you prefer you can line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure that the thyme does not touch or over lap.
- Drying the Leaves – Then place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the leaves are dry and crumble easily.
- Make sure Thyme gets dry – Make sure to check the thyme regularly while it’s cooking as you want it to be completely dry but not browned from baking. If the thyme is not dry after 30 minutes, continue to bake it in 5 minute intervals until the thyme is dry.
- Remove leaves from stem – Then place the thyme sprigs over a bowl and gently crumble the leaves with your fingers so that the thyme leaves fall off of the stems and into the bowl or on paper towels. Continue this process until all the thyme leaves are removed and crumbled.
- Then Store – Then transfer the dried herb to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
When is the best time to Harvest Thyme?
If you like to grow your own thyme, we recommend harvesting thyme right before it blooms. This gives the best flavor when picking at this time.
We recommend harvesting first thing in the morning. Cut the stems from the plant instead of picking the leaves.
How long does Dried Thyme last?
If stored properly Thyme will last up to 2 years. It may last longer, but the freshness may decline.
How to Store:
Once the fresh herb is dried, place in an air tight container after it has cooled completely. Remove the leaves from the stem and store dry thyme in a container in a cool, dark location. We keep ours in the pantry.
Other Methods to Try:
- Food Dehydrated – Using dehydrated is a great way to dry thyme on dehydrated trays at the lowest setting. It is also the best and retaining the flavor. But it does take awhile to dry them when using the herb setting. It could take a couple of hours or up to 24 hours.
- Air Dry Basil – Air drying is also a great way to retain the flavor of dried Thyme. But it takes about 1 to 2 weeks for it dry. It will depend on the climate and weather.
- Oven – Drying thyme in the oven is our best recommendation. It gives it the best flavor and it is the most convenient. You want to bake until dry and be careful not to burn it.
Recipes with Thyme:
1. Crock Pot French Onion Chicken:
2. Air Fryer Turkey Breast:
3. Crock Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe:
More Kitchen Hacks:
How to Dry Thyme
Ingredients
- 1 bundle Fresh Thyme
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the fresh thyme. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees F.
- Then spread out the fresh thyme on a baking sheet. Make sure that the thyme does not touch or over lap.
- Then place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the thyme leaves are dry and crumble easily.
- Make sure to check the thyme regularly while it's cooking as you what the thyme dry but not browned from baking. If the thyme is not dry after 30 minutes, continue to bake it in 5 minute intervals until the thyme is dry.
- Then place the thyme stems over a bowl and gently crumble the leaves with your fingers so that the thyme leaves fall off of the stems and into the bowl. Continue this process until all the thyme leaves are removed and crumbled.
- Then transfer the dried thyme to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
