Learn How to Dry Basil Leaves
& Other Information About Basil Plants

Do you want to learn how to dry basil leaves? What is basil good for anyways you ask? Well, basil is one of the handiest plants to have around the house. Whether it’s grown in a pot, garden, or in a hydroponics setup, basil is usable in more ways than one. From repelling mosquitoes to making amazing drinks, basil is the plant you want to keep on your side of the fence. Stick around and make yourself comfortable while we show you a few interesting sides of the basil plants you know and will soon love.

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More Than One Way To Learn How to Dry Basil Leaves

Here you will learn how to dry basil five different ways. Oven dried basil leaves to high-tech food dehydrator dried basil, there are a growing amount of ways to dry basil leaves. This and the next section are also chock full of useful food-prep information, so be sure to bookmark this page for future reference! All of these methods require already cleaned and washed basil leaves that are already cut. With that in mind, take a low below for some basil drying information.

How to Dry Basil in the Oven

Learning how to dry basil in the oven is easier than you think. First, set your oven to preheat at 180-200 degrees fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, pat the excess moisture off the basil leaves you are about to dry. Once patted dry, place the basil leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. When the oven is heated, place the baking sheet inside for two hours or so. Test the basil leaves with a utensil, and if they crumble or break easily, then your job is done.

How to Dry Basil by Sun Drying

First, pat the basil leaves as dry as possible without being too rough. Then place them under an open window that has direct sunlight, or on a table outside. If laying your basil leaves outside, place a window screen with heavy objects around it to keep your basil from flying away. Spread out the leaves for maximum sun. Move them throughout the day to keep the sun directly on the basil leaves. Don’t forget to flip them every so often as well. This method might take several days, but it can be quicker than air drying alone if the environment and season cooperate.

How to Dry Basil With a Food Dehydrator

Some Foodsguy has some great advice on how to dry basil leaves with a dehydrator. First, make sure the basil leaves are patted dry with a towel. After that, put the basil leaves in a single row on the dehydrator tray without touching. If the dehydrator in use doesn’t have a specific herb setting, use the setting closest to 95 degrees fahrenheit. Depending on location, drying basil leaves with a food dehydrator can take six to twenty-four hours. When the leaves crumble at the touch of a finger, it’s ready to be used or jarred for the future you.

How to Dry Basil by Air Drying

Firstly, make sure all of the surface moisture is off of your basil leaves by laying it on a clean towel for an hour or more after washing. This will help reduce the risk of mold or brown water spots on your basil leaves. Next, tie your basil together in a small bunch of 3-6 stems or so. After that, label your herbs by date and type and find a dry, warm, and dark spot with good air circulation that’s out of the way. Now wait about two weeks or so, depending on the dryness of the selected spot. Once the basil leaves are thoroughly dry and crunchy, you are ready to use or store them.

How to Dry Basil Using the Microwave

Although not the greatest method, you can learn how to dry basil using the microwave. Acouplecooks recommends using a microwave setting on High for three periods of heating. Before microwaving, place the basil leaves between two thin towels or double layered paper towels. Microwave 45 seconds, then let it rest for a minute. Repeat this microwaving process two more times, but for 30 seconds a piece. Once finished, the basil leaves will look shriveled and almost crumbly. Once this state of dryness is reached, let it cool to room temperature and crumble it with your fingers. However, this source recommends using a low setting for 3 minutes instead of the timing patterns mentioned just before.

How to Dry Basil & Store It

Dryingallfoods.com has a couple of great methods of storing dry basil leaves. Take a look at them and see if they are up to your expectations and let us know what you think.

Freezing Whole Dry Basil Leaves

First it is recommended to remove the basil leaves from their stems and boil them for about two seconds. Next, soak your boiled basil leaves in icy water for an hour or two. Dry the leaves off with light towel pats, and then place them in an airtight container with extra room taken up by a slightly wadded paper towel. Insert into your freezer and reap the rewards of your efforts at some far off date. Keep in mind, your basil leaves will slowly lose potency over time, but freezing helps reduce that pace.

Storing Basil Leaves in Mason Jars

First, choose a good airtight jar that does not have a glass top. Mason jars are a good choice, but so are the old school storage tins with the screw caps, or pressure sealed bottles. Most important thing here is airtight, with as little light penetration as possible. If using a glass jar, you can either paint over the clear parts, or store your jars in an almost eternally dark part of your home. Second, try to keep the temperature around 50-70 degrees fahrenheit . This will ensure the longevity of your herbs due to less temperature caused degradation. Using this method, your jars should keep well for 2-3 years. Remember, label your jars clearly with expiration date and contents to ensure the freshest dried herbs possible.

The Many Uses of Basil

Basil is basically a modern day miracle plant. It seems like it can do just about anything. If you thought it was just for drying and storing, then you’ve got a lot to learn about one of our favorite plants. Take a look below and see what else a few basil leaves can do for you.

Basil, Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Before, White Shovel Landscapes wrote about how plants that repel mosquitoes can be found in more than your nearby big box store. In that blog we mentioned basil, and how it can be smashed to create a temporary, but harmless, mosquito repellent. It isn’t the greatest of mosquito repellents, but it can get the job done in pinch. That way you won’t have to deal with those pests that buzz and bite.

Boost Your Curb Appeal With Basil Plants

In another blog by your favorite landscapers in Huntsville, Alabama mentioned curb appeal as a way to sell your home quicker. Basil is a great addition to any home or garden, and has more uses than you can shake a stick at. If you’re looking for some curb appeal help or landscaping in Huntsville, Alabama, contact the best the area has to offer, White Shovel Landscapes.

Cool Down With Basil Drinks

There’s a ton of things you can do with your basil, like make some cool drinks out of it. For starters, you can steep it to make a nice natural brew to enjoy on just about any day. Later in the day you can go for something a little stronger like a strawberry basil vodka cocktail. Basil drinks can be light, refreshing, and tasty all at once depending on your choice of mixtures.

Recipes For Cooking With Basil Leaves

Cooking with fresh and dried basil leaves can be a great way to add some spice to your life. Basil, with its unique and lovely smell and taste, can be used in many manners of cooking. Use basil leaves for a garnish, flavor accent, or base a whole course off it with tea too! Basil leaves are used for soups, sandwiches, grilled meats, and so much more. With such a unique flavor, basil leaves are easy to put into just about anything you cook. Even the University of Vermont thinks that basil tastes good on just about anything and everything one can think of.

Basil Aromatherapy

With so many natural remedies hanging around, you already know that many home remedies are rooted in basil plants. Not only that, but it is also used in aromatherapy. Basil’s scent is caused by compounds like linalool, a substance that is also found in lavender. These are utilized by specialists and practitioners to get many beneficial effects from this pretty and pretty useful plant. A wide variety of ailments is at least slightly alleviated by these basil leaf concoctions. From acne to sinusitis, basil might be about to help you with your next medical bout.

Now You Know How to Dry Basil Leaves & Much More

Now that you’ve gotten this far, you must be a basil leaf drying guru! We’ve spent time and effort bringing you this resource backed article to help make your day just that much better. Any of the links you find on this page are directly to where the information was originally found. We did our best to bring you the facts, and show you where we got them from too! That way we can all participate in a transparent and informational fashion.

Feel free to check out our other helpful blogs like what are plants that repel mosquitoes and the types of grass folks use for their lawns. If you’re in one of our service areas, feel free to schedule a landscape consultation with the best landscapers Huntsville, Alabama has to offer.