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Dried Oregano Recipe (4 Ways)

By Sarah Cook

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Apr 23, 2022, Updated Jun 20, 2025

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Drying oregano is a simple way to preserve this delicious pantry staple! Learn how to make this dried oregano recipe in a food dehydrator, via air drying, in the microwave, or in the oven.

a measuring spoon with dehydrated oregano on a light grey plate.

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Dried oregano is an incredibly versatile herb for home cooks. From cheesy garlic bread to spicy pickled vegetables to homemade seafood seasoning.

Drying your own oregano leaves is both easy and affordable, and I’ll show you how.

There are four methods you can use to dehydrate fresh oregano – the dehydrator, the oven, hanging to air dry, and the microwave. I’ll walk you through each of the options in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Between you and me, my preference is always to use my dehydrator. It’s energy-efficient, I can dry a lot at once, and I know it will consistently dry my herbs.

a dehydrator tray full of fresh and dried oregano

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
If your oregano stems are very “fluffy” and stick up over the dehydrator tray, place an empty dehydrator tray over the top tray to create a buffer between the oregano and the dehydrator fan.
The oregano is ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. It will feel like dried fall leaves when ready.
Remove dried leaves from the stems and store whole or grind in a food processor, mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder used just for spices. Oregano is also really easy to crunch up into small pieces with just your hands.
Store in an air-tight container like a mason jar for up to a year.

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Dried Oregano Recipe (4 Ways)

By: Sarah CookServings: 10 Prep: 10 minutes Drying Time: 15 hours Total: 15 hours 10 minutes

a measuring spoon with dried oregano on a dish.

Drying oregano is a simple way to preserve this delicious pantry staple! Learn how to make this dried oregano recipe in a food dehydrator, via air drying, in the microwave, or in the oven.

Equipment

Dehydrator
Fine mesh strainer

Ingredients 1x2x3x

▢ 1 bunch fresh oregano

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

How to Dehydrate Oregano in a Dehydrator

Rinse the stems in a bowl of water.1 bunch fresh oregano
Then carefully dry in a salad spinner or between layers of a tea towel/flour sack.
Arrange the stems on the drying racks so that they aren’t touching.
Dry oregano at 95˚F, rotating the trays every few hours.
The oregano is ready when it is dry to the touch and has the consistency of dried leaves (~15-18 hours).
Remove leaves from the stems.
Allow leaves to fully cool before crushing or storing whole in an air-tight container.

How to Dry Oregano in the Oven

Place clean oregano stems on baking drying racks set inside baking sheets. Don't let the stems overlap or touch.
Place in the oven at the lowest temperature possible (usually 140-170˚F) and prop open the door with the handle of a wooden spoon.
Bake for 3-5 hours. Check every 45 minutes, rotating trays and making sure leaves are not touching.

How to Air Dry Oregano

Suspend small amounts of oregano stems in a paper bag with holes punched in it and close the top of the bag with string, yarn, or a rubber band.
Hang in a place where it can get air circulation.
Peek in the bag every few days. Drying time will vary depending on conditions.

Drying Oregano in the Microwave

Remove leaves from stems.
Place flat between two paper towels and microwave on high for 40 seconds.
Move the leaves around and microwave in 20-second increments until the oregano is dried and crunchy (~1.5-2.5 minutes).
This method only works well in small quantities. Do not try to dry too much at once.

Notes

Dried oregano will last for a year in a cool dry place.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5gCalories: 1.4kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: How ToCuisine: How To Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah Cook

I'm here to help you make easy, seasonal, and no-fuss recipes for yourself and your family.

Whether it's a quick one-pot dinner or if I am teaching you how to can and preserve local produce, you can consider me your elder millennial grandma

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2 Comments

When grinding up, do the stems need removed?
Reply
1. Hi Joyce, in the printable recipe card I do recommend removing the leaves before storing/grinding in steps 6 & 7. I’ll copy and paste what’s written below. Please let me know if you have any additional questions!
  
  6) Remove leaves from the stems. 7) Allow leaves to fully cool before crushing or storing whole in an air-tight container.
  Reply