How To Dry Bay Leaves - The Kitchen Herbs

Bay trees (aka bay laurel, Turkish bay, or sweet bay) are a great addition to any garden, patio, or deck. They are attractive plants that can be pruned and shaped as desired.

You can also use a fresh bay leaf in cooking, however, the fresh leaves have a more subtle flavor, so generally, you should use two fresh bay leaves in place of a single dry bay leaf.

For this reason, it is generally preferable to use dried bay leaves in cooking.

Luckily it is very easy to dry bay leaves, and they are easy to store for up to a year if dried (and stored) correctly. For more info, see our article on how to store bay leaves.

When to harvest

Unlike other herbs, which tend to have the best flavor when the leaves are young and tender, bay leaves have a more intense flavor when they are older. 

Pick mature leaves from the bay tree. Look for darker green leaves without any blemishes or damage.

Use sharp secateurs or scissors to harvest the bay leaves. A clean cut is less likely to damage the parent plant. 

Drying Bay Leaves

Air drying is the best way to dry bay leaves. Any time you apply heat to speed up the drying process you will lose the essential oils that flavor the food when you use the leaves in cooking.

See this post for more details on why it is best not to dry fresh herbs in the oven or microwave oven.

1. Rinse leaves in cool water prior to drying to remove any residues. Gently shake off any excess water and pat the leaves dry.  
2. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. 
3. Place fresh bay leaves in a single layer on the sheet. Try to ensure the leaves are not touching each other. 
4. Place another paper towel on top of bay leaf layer. This should be loosely placed on top to allow air circulation. 
5. Place baking sheet in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. 
6. Leave until completely dried out. This is likely to take 14 days or longer. You can tell when they are dried as they will curl, and the stems start to split. 
7. Remove the bay leaves from the stems for storage. 

Storing dried bay leaves

Store dried bay leaves in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag in a cool dark place for up to 12 months. For full details, see our article on storing bay leaves.