For anyone looking to add a little more flavor to their cooking, making your own dried basil is the perfect solution.
Not only is it a great way to save money, its also a simple and straightforward process that takes less than an hour.
In this article, well walk through why you should make your own dried basil, what you need to get started, and the three easy steps to creating your own delicious dried basil right at home.
So grab a pen and paper and lets get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
To make dried basil, first start by harvesting fresh basil leaves from your garden or buying them from the store.
Rinse the leaves and pat them dry with paper towels.
Place the leaves onto a baking sheet and spread them out evenly.
Bake them in an oven preheated to the lowest temperature setting for 1 to 2 hours, or until completely dry.
Once finished, remove from the oven and let cool before storing in an airtight container.
Why Make Your Own Dried Basil?
Making your own dried basil is a great way to ensure you’re using the freshest ingredients in your cooking.
Not only is it more cost-effective than buying pre-dried herbs, but you also get to control the flavor and intensity of your herb.
With homemade dried basil, you can add more or less of the herb to your dish to get the perfect flavor.
Plus, making your own dried basil also eliminates the need for preservatives and additives that are often found in store-bought herbs.
This makes it a healthier and more natural option for your cooking.
Additionally, making your own dried basil is an easy and satisfying process that you can do in the comfort of your own home.
With just a few simple steps, you can have fresh, flavorful basil ready to use in your favorite dishes.
What You Need to Make Dried Basil
Making dried basil is a relatively easy process that can be done at home with just a few simple ingredients and tools. To make your own dried basil, you will need the following items: fresh basil leaves, an oven, parchment paper, a baking sheet, and an airtight container for storage.
Fresh basil leaves are the most important part of making dried basil, so its important to get the best quality basil you can find.
Look for dark green leaves with no yellowing or signs of wilting.
If you cant find fresh basil, you can also use frozen leaves, though they wont be as flavorful.
Youll need an oven to dry out the basil leaves.
Make sure to preheat your oven to its lowest temperature setting before placing the leaves inside.
This will ensure that the leaves dry out slowly and evenly, without burning or becoming overly crispy.
Parchment paper is a must for making dried basil.
It will keep the leaves from sticking to the baking sheet and ensure that you dont have to scrub off any stuck-on basil later.
The baking sheet you use should be large enough to hold the basil leaves in a single layer.
This will help the leaves dry out evenly, without having to be moved around or flipped over.
Finally, youll need an airtight container for storing your dried basil.
This will keep the basil fresh and flavorful for up to a year.
Mason jars and plastic bags with zippers both work well for storage.
Now that you have all the necessary supplies, youre ready to make your own dried basil!
Step 1
Making dried basil is a simple and easy process, but its important to be mindful of each step to ensure that you end up with flavorful, aromatic herbs.
The first step is to preheat your oven to its lowest temperature setting.
Depending on your oven, this could be anywhere from 200 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
To ensure that the basil leaves dry evenly, its important to set the temperature low enough that the leaves dont burn, but high enough that the moisture is removed from the leaves.
After preheating the oven, its time to move onto the next step.
Step 2
The second step in making dried basil is to rinse the leaves and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Start by taking the fresh basil leaves and rinsing them gently with cold water.
Make sure to remove any dirt or debris from the leaves.
Once they have been rinsed, pat the leaves dry with a paper towel.
This will help ensure that all of the moisture has been removed from the leaves before they are placed in the oven.
Once they are dry, they are ready to be placed on a sheet of parchment paper and placed on a baking sheet.
Step 3
Once your basil leaves are completely dry, it is time to store them away for later use.
To ensure that your dried basil retains its flavor, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Mason jars, glass containers, or plastic bags all work well.
It is important to keep the basil away from moisture and light as both can cause the herbs to lose their flavor.
If you are not planning to use the dried basil right away, you can also store it in the freezer for up to six months.
Simply place the dried basil in an airtight container and place it in the freezer until you are ready to use it.
After thawing, the basil may have a slightly different flavor, but it will still be just as delicious!
Storing the Dried Basil
Once youve dried your basil leaves, the next step is to store them for future use.
To ensure your dried basil retains its flavor and potency, its important to store it properly.
The best way to store your dried basil is in an airtight container.
This will keep the basil from going stale and losing its flavor.
Mason jars or glass jars with lids work well, as do plastic containers or bags.
You can also freeze the dried basil in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
This will keep the basil fresh for up to six months.
When storing dried basil, make sure the container is kept in a cool, dark place away from heat.
Heat will cause the basil to lose its flavor and potency over time.
The pantry or cupboard is an ideal location for storing dried basil.
You can also store it in the refrigerator, but make sure to keep it in an airtight container so it doesnt absorb odors from other foods.
The key to keeping your dried basil fresh is to keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
This will help ensure the basil retains its flavor and potency for months to come.
Enjoy your dried basil in your favorite dishes!
Enjoying Your Home-Made Dried Basil
Once youve completed the three simple steps to making your own dried basil at home, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in your favorite dishes.
Dried basil has a rich, earthy flavor that enhances many dishes and takes them to the next level.
Whether youre making a classic Italian spaghetti dish, a savory soup, or a flavorful pesto, dried basil can be used to add complexity and depth to the flavor.
Dried basil can also be used to make flavorful oils and vinegars.
Simply add some dried basil to a bottle of olive oil or your favorite vinegar and allow it to infuse for several days.
You can also add some dried basil to salads for a delicious and refreshing flavor.
If youre feeling creative, you can also use dried basil to make a flavorful and aromatic herb butter.
Simply mix softened butter with some dried basil and a pinch of salt and you have a delicious and versatile ingredient for adding flavor to many dishes.
Finally, you can also use dried basil to make a flavorful and aromatic tea.
Simply steep some dried basil in hot water and enjoy a cup of tea that is sure to warm your palate.
Making your own dried basil at home is a great way to save money and have a flavorful ingredient on hand for all of your cooking needs.
So, why not give it a try and see for yourself how easy and delicious it can be?
Final Thoughts
Making your own dried basil is a great way to store and enjoy this delicious herb in your favorite dishes.
With just a few simple steps and some basic ingredients, you can easily make your own dried basil at home.
Now that youve learned how to make your own dried basil, why not try it out for yourself and enjoy the delicious flavor of home-made dried basil in all of your favorite dishes?