What Is The Best Way To Dry Fresh Basil?

How to Dry Fresh Basil

1. Harvest the basil. If you’re drying fresh basil already cut from the plant, you can skip to the second step.
2. Clean the basil. Rinse the stems in cool water.
3. Hang the basil to air-dry.
4. Dry fresh basil in the oven.
5. Place the basil in a food dehydrator.

Is it better to freeze or dry fresh basil?

You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Before you start, wash basil in cold water and dry; a salad spinner works well for this step. To freeze your basil, pull leaves from stems.

How do I dry fresh basil?

You’ll want to dry the basil using short, quick bursts.

1. Place a towel on a microwave-plate, then places the leaves on the towel single file, and then another towel on top.
2. Microwave in 3×30 second bursts. The basil leaves should shrivel. It’ll continue to dry out even at room temperature thereafter.

How long does it take to air dry basil?

Air-drying basil is a really simple and easy way to preserve this yummy herb. The main requirement is time – it takes about 4 weeks for basil to dry properly. If you’re looking for a good way to preserve basil immediately check out my Basil and Olive Oil icecubes Instructable.

Do you wash basil leaves before drying?

Do You Wash Basil Before Drying? Yes! Simply fill a sink with cool water and gently swish stems around to clean them. Lay them out, single layer, on a towel or hang to dry.

What can I do with a lot of fresh basil?

10 Great Ways to Use Up Fresh Basil

1. Pesto.
2. Infused Oil.
3. Appetizers.
4. Vegetable Soups.
5. Salads.
6. Pizza.
7. Fish & Seafood Dishes.
8. Sides.

What do you do with an abundance of basil?

Here are some other everyday ways to use it:

1. Top whole leaves onto pizza.
2. Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
3. Blend it into sauces.
4. Puree it into soups.
5. Chop it up to add to a salad.
6. Use it to garnish avocado toast.
7. Turn it into an ice cream topping!

How long does dried basil last?

2-3 years
Dried ground herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano last for 2-3 years. If they are dried and stored in their natural, whole form (e.g., basil or bay leaves), then they should last a little longer, about 3-4 years.

Can I freeze fresh basil?

Simply chop leaves, stuff them into ice cube trays, cover with cold water, and freeze. The frozen basil bits will turn black as soon as they thaw, but they will still taste like basil. Frozen basil cigars are a great way to store basil with large leaves that can hold up to brief blanching.

How do you store fresh basil long term?

Follow these simple steps for the best way to store your fresh basil leaves:

1. Trim the Basil Stems.
2. Put the Basil in a Jar or Glass Vase with Water.
3. Cover with a Plastic Bag.
4. Store Basil Jar at Room Temperature.
5. Trim the Stems and Replace the Water Occasionally.

Can I dry basil by hanging it?

Basil should be harvested just before it flowers for maximum flavor. The best way to dry basil is by hanging it upside down in a warm, dry place. If you’re in a hurry, though, you can dry basil in the oven or a food dehydrator instead.

Can you oven dry basil?

Yes, you can! It’s actually fairly easy to dry basil leaves in the oven. You start by leaving your fresh basil leaves to dry at room temperature for a few days. After this time, preheat your oven to 170ºF (or the lowest temperature possible), then lay your basil leaves out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

How do you dry basil in the oven overnight?

Instructions

1. Wash the entire basil plant well by running under cool water.
2. Preheat oven to the lowest setting (usually 170-180 degrees F).
3. Remove basil leaves from the stem.
4. Bake for 1 hour or longer (up to 4 hours) – until the basil is crispy and dry.
5. Remove the leaves from the oven.

Is dried basil good for you?

Though dried basil is more concentrated in nutrients, you use less in recipes compared to fresh. Therefore, neither is a significant source of most nutrients — except vitamin K. Basil also supplies beneficial plant compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other health properties ( 4 , 5 ).

Can I freeze fresh basil without blanching?

You can flat freeze basil without blanching. However, if your goal is to preserve garden fresh green basil then you should take the extra step to blanch. Fresh basil has enzymes on it that will decompose fresh plants.

How do you freeze whole basil?

To freeze whole basil leaves, lay the clean, dry basil out in a single layer in a baking sheet or tray. Slide the basil into the freezer.

Is basil better cooked or raw?

If a recipe simply calls for “basil,” sweet basil is the way to go. Other varieties can have stronger flavors that can give you an unintended result in your recipes. Holy basil is best cooked (it can be bitter when raw), but purple basil is best raw as that pretty purple color turns black when cooked.

How do you preserve basil for the winter?

Wash the leaves and dry them with a paper towel. Then gather them in bunches and wrap the stems with a twist tie. Hang them upside down for a week or two and then break the leaves off the stems into an airtight container and you will have dried basil for the winter. Basil lasts this way for about a year.

How do you freeze basil in olive oil?

Use a food processor to coarsely chop washed basil leaves. Add a drizzle of olive oil and pulse to lightly coat the leaves with oil; this will keep the basil from turning black in the freezer. Scoop the resulting mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Transfer the finished cubes to freezer bags and use as needed.

How do you store basil in olive oil?

Fill the container with olive oil making sure to cover the leaves, close the jar and place it in the refrigerator. This way the leaves will keep for several months in the fridge. Remove the leaves when needed.

What can I do with dried basil leaves?

Dried Basil is good for the respiratory system and can be consumed as herbal tea with or without other herbs. It can also be used to treat throat and nose infections. Basil tea, made with dried basil helps recover from problems like dysentery, nausea and stomach ache due to gas.