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How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave

Looking for a simple way to preserve your beautiful fresh summer herbs? Or only have a little left from store bought? Here’s an easy way, step-by-step How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave.

Long, long ago, in a galaxy… well, actually: Back in November at the end of our crazy mild fall (remember that? sigh…), I ran across this post from Serious Eats on using the microwave to dry herbs — and have been meaning to tell you about my experiments with this ever since! Sometimes life (and Black Friday) just intervenes, but now we’re back on track. So: Here’s How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave.

Look at the vibrant color you get when you dry herbs in the microwave! On the left in the photo above, rosemary from my garden that I dried in the microwave. On the right, organic dried rosemary I bought at the store. That’s an amazing color difference, and so pretty in recipes — I used my own microwave dried herbs on this garlic rosemary pork roast recipe earlier this month, and it really made the herb-garlic mixture pop.

You know how sometimes you buy fresh herbs for a recipe, but inevitably have some left over? Preserve those leftover herbs quickly and easily, with microwave drying. Here I dried rosemary and sage, but this method should work well with most heartier herbs. Be careful with more delicate ones, which will need less time and more tender handling.

How to dry herbs in the microwave

Step 1

Wash the herbs, then spread the leaves on a microwave safe plate on two layers of paper towels. Note: Do NOT use recycled paper towels for this, since they may contain small fragments of metal and are not safe for microwave use.

Step 2

Cover the herbs with another paper towel, the microwave on high for one minute. Follow up with 20 second bursts until herbs are completely dry and crumble easily between your fingers. (My microwave took 6-7 rounds; yours may take more or less.)

Step 3

Crumble up your herbs. I found that just twisting and crushing them right inside the paper towels worked for my purposes, but if you want to reduce yours to powder you’ll want either to use a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder.

  • Frugal note: I was able to use each set of paper towels to dry a second batch of the same herb before I had to toss them.

The herbs get nicely brittle in the microwave since the water evaporates out before the herb really starts to cook, which also helps them retain their vibrant color.

Step 4

Store dried herbs in a tightly covered container in a cool dry space away from light — with the rest of your spices would be lovely. 🙂 Here, I just thoroughly washed out and repurposed old spice containers to hold my new microwave dried herbs.

That’s all you need to do to use the microwave to dry herbs

Microwaving is such a quick and easy way to preserve small batches of fresh herbs! Don’t be afraid to buy fresh herbs, now that you know you can preserve the leftovers quickly and frugally. Let me know if you give it a try, and how it works for you!

How to dry herbs in the microwave, printable version

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave

Looking for a simple way to preserve your beautiful fresh summer herbs? Or only have a little left from store bought? Here’s an easy way, step-by-step How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time14 minutes
Keyword: drying herbs, herbs, how to dry herbs, microwave

Ingredients

  • fresh herbs (heartier herbs work better)

Instructions

  • Wash the herbs, then spread the leaves on a microwave safe plate on two layers of paper towels. (See Note)
  • Cover the herbs with another paper towel, the microwave on high for one minute. Follow up with 20 second bursts until herbs are completely dry and crumble easily between your fingers. (My microwave took 6-7 rounds; yours may take more or less.)
  • Crumble up your herbs. I found that just twisting and crushing them right inside the paper towels worked for my purposes, but if you want to reduce yours to powder you’ll want either to use a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder.
  • Store dried herbs in a tightly covered container in a cool dry space away from light — with the rest of your spices would be lovely. Here, I just thoroughly washed out and repurposed old spice containers to hold my new microwave dried herbs.

Notes

NoteDo NOT use recycled paper towels for this, since they may contain small fragments of metal and are not safe for microwave use. Frugal note: I was able to use each set of paper towels to dry a second batch of the same herb before I had to toss them.

More Frugal Homemade Ideas?

If you’re looking for more “frugal homemade” ideas, read more here:

Anything else you’d like to see covered in these categories? Comment here!

Recipe Rating




Connie

Sunday 10th of December 2023

Hi there can I dry Basel in the microwave?

Kathy

Friday 10th of November 2023

Ref drying herbs in microwave. I don’t even warm up water in microwave for tea cuz experiments I’ve seen on watering plants with microwaved water and regular tap water. So wouldn’t microwaving herbs take away the nutrients from the herbs. Does it probably leaves the taste of the herb but what about the nutrient benefits of the plant??

Debbie Bell

Sunday 1st of October 2023

Thanks, helpful and will do.

Margaret

Friday 8th of September 2023

Will be drying left over herbs in future. Thanks.

Cynthia

Monday 14th of August 2023

I’ve been using this method for years. But I have found that if I leave the leaves of the herbs whole and do not crush them until I’m ready to use them that the flavor is much more intense and more like fresh herbs. The oils are released at the time of use instead of early by crushing them before using them.