How to Dry Rosemary

Here’s how to dry rosemary! It’s a great way to preserve this fresh herb to use in recipes all season long.

Got extra rosemary and not sure what to do with it? Try drying it! This age-old technique for preserving herbs is the perfect way to store excess rosemary all season long. Of course, dried herbs don’t have the same unique flavor as fresh. But it’s a great way to save summer herbs before the winter. Here’s more about how to dry rosemary in the oven so you can use it in recipes!

How to dry rosemary

Rosemary is a hardy plant that can often grow in winter climates, depending on where you live. But if your rosemary plant is at the end of its life or you simply bought too much at the store, drying it is a great way to preserve this herb.

Keep in mind, the flavor and texture of dried rosemary is much different than fresh! It doesn’t work well in recipes like Rosemary Roasted Potatoes or Focaccia Bread. But it’s great in soups, stews, sauces, pastas and more. Here’s how to dry rosemary:

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Place the rosemary sprigs on a baking sheet. Cook for 40 to 45 minutes until dried and the needles fall off the stem when touched.
3. Remove the needles from the stem and allow them to cool in a bowl for a few minutes.

Storage instructions

Store the dried rosemary in an airtight container for 3 to 6 months. It’s best when it’s closer to fresh, so try to use it within the first 3 months. You can use it as a substitute for dried rosemary in recipes. Keep reading for some ideas!

How to use dried rosemary in recipes

Fresh rosemary has a unique flavor with notes of evergreen and sage that doesn’t quite come through in the dried version. Dried rosemary tastes bitter on its own, but it rehydrates when you cook it. Avoid using it in place of fresh rosemary in places where it’s not cooked (like garnishes) or in something like focaccia bread where it’s a key flavor component. Dried rosemary works well when it’s cooked, like in soups, stews, sauces, pastas, and so forth. Here are a few ideas for how to use it:

• Soups and stews: Add it to wild rice soup for earthy undertones
• Seasoning blends: Use it to make herbes de Provence seasoning
• Pastas and sauces: Mix it into lasagna to make a flavorful filling

More rosemary recipes

Got fresh rosemary to use up too? Here are a few ideas for rosemary recipes to use the fresh variety:

• Go for Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Try Garlic Rosemary White Bean Dip
• Make a cup of Rosemary Tea
• Mix up Rosemary Simple Syrup for cocktails
• Add it to drinks like Lemon Rosemary Cucumber Water or Sparkling Blood Orange Rosemary Water

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Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

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Rosemary Tea

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Rosemary Simple Syrup

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Sparkling Blood Orange Rosemary Water

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