How to dry thyme with one of three methods: in the oven, in a dehydrator, or naturally. As well as how to store, convert, and use the dried thyme!
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that my pantry is filled with various dried and preserved goods. From these ‘sun-dried’ tomatoes, coconut flakes, and powdered milk to this dried thyme. Learning how to dry thyme at home is incredibly easy and can be done using 3 different methods. In fact, I’ve already shared similar DIYs for dried mint, dried rosemary, and dried sage leaves.
I love to use fresh herbs whenever possible, and now that I have my own herb garden, I do so more and more. If I accidentally harvest/pick too much thyme from my plant, then I already successfully store herbs in the fridge and freezer. Yet I love to have a stash of dried thyme on hand for whenever the need does arise.
Within this post, I’ll take you through how to dry thyme in the oven, with a dehydrator, and air-drying. I’ll then also go through how to store and use thyme, and several FAQs (including the fresh thyme vs dried conversions!).
Dehydrating: The quickest method of drying thyme requires a food dehydrator. Place the thyme in the dehydrator at 100°F for 1 to 2 hours until completely dry.
Step 1: Wash and pat dry the thyme
Add the thyme to a large bowl of water and swish the herbs around gently to clean them. Then drain the water and, optionally, use a salad spinner to get rid of as much excess water first before patting dry. Otherwise, go straight to patting them dry.
It’s important to get rid of ALL the excess moisture before drying the thyme so it can be a good idea to let it air-dry for an extra 30-60 minutes, pat dry once more, and then move on to the next step.
The Benefits of Thyme
Thyme is actually a herb from the mint family and is one of my most-used herbs (especially lemon thyme!).
More than for its flavor (which I find wonderful), it has a reputation for its bountiful health benefits.
For example, thyme is a rich source of vitamin A and C – both great for boosting immunity (as well as eye health). It is also a good source of iron, fiber, and copper.
There are studies to suggest that thyme extract could help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Plus, thyme essential oil is found to have antifungal and anti-pest properties too.
How To Dehydrate Thyme | Fresh From The Garden!
FAQ
How long does dehydrated thyme last?
Is dried thyme as good as fresh?
Does dried thyme have health benefits?
Can You dehydrate thyme?
I can dehydrate garlic, dry chives, dry rosemary, dry peaches , dehydrate basil , dry oregano , dehydrate mint , dehydrate marshmallows, drying oranges , dry limes , dehydrate tomatoes, dry pears , dehydrate onions, and dehydrate apples in a flash. As long as it is stored in a cool and dry place, your dehydrated thyme will be good for a year.
How to use thyme?
Thyme can be used fresh or dried, and works well in soups, roasted vegetables, pasta, sauces, pizzas, chicken, stews, eggs, fish and seafood, lasagna, pork, lamb, or beef.
Can You Dry thyme yourself?
While you can certainly purchase little jars of dried herbs at the store, thyme is one of those absurdly easy herbs to dry yourself, so it’s an excellent choice for a simple, money-saving DIY project. Plus when you dry herbs yourself, you’re getting them at their freshest. They haven’t been sitting on a store shelf for who knows how long.
How do you dehydrate thyme sprigs?
After washing and patting your thyme dry, lay sprigs on your dehydrator trays in a single layer. Set the temperature to 95 or 100 degrees and check after an hour or so. You want the thyme to be fully crispy and brittle. If the leaves are still pliable, put them back for another 30-60 minutes and check again.