If you’re a fan of cooking with herbs and spices, chances are thyme is one of your favorites. Not only does it bring an earthy flavor to any dish, but it also contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can improve your overall health. And while some people prefer to buy pre-dried thyme, others might want to learn how to dehydrate thyme at home.
The good news is that dehydrating thyme isn’t as difficult as it may seem. With these simple steps and the right equipment, anyone can do it in just a few hours! Here’s how:
Things You’ll Need:
- A dehydrator
- Fresh thyme
- Kitchen scissors or knife
How to Dehydrate Thyme in a Food Dehydrator
1. Start by separating all the individual sprigs from the plant and removing any rotten or wilted ones.
2. Now it’s time to clean the thyme. Place the sprigs in a large bowl filled with cold water, and rinse them well before straining out any excess water.
3. Place the cleaned thyme onto your dehydrator trays, ensuring they aren’t overlapping or overcrowded.
4. Set the temperature of your dehydrator between 95°F (35°C) and 115°F (46°C). Then, leave to dry for 4-6 hours until all the sprigs are brittle and easily breakable by hand.
5. Once completely dried, you can now store thyme in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place. The dried thyme can also be ground into powder or crumbled up in recipes.
Uses for Dehydrated Thyme
Thyme is incredibly versatile and can be used to flavor various dishes, like soups, stews, roasts, salads, vegetables, and more. It’s also great for teas and herbal remedies. Of course, you can use it in sweet recipes, too – try infusing honey with thyme for a delicious spread or topping! And adding freshly dehydrated thyme to your favorite dishes will bring out the flavors even more.
Benefits of Dehydrating Thyme
Dehydrating thyme is a great way to preserve this flavorful herb! You will get the distinct taste of thyme that can be used in multiple dishes and reap other benefits. Here are some reasons why dehydrating thyme is worth it:
The first benefit of dehydrating thyme is how easy and convenient it is. All you need is a dehydrator, and you’re ready to start drying your fresh herbs! You don’t have to worry about measuring how much thyme you need or having any leftovers go to waste because all the dried herbs will stay good for months.
Another reason why dehydrating thyme is smart? You’ll save money by not having to buy the pre-dried variety from the store. Plus, you can ensure you’re getting the freshest thyme available and not an old batch that’s been sitting on a shelf for weeks.
Finally, dehydrating your thyme will ensure more flavor in your dishes than store-bought. Dried herbs tend to lose their flavor over time, but when you dry your thyme, it won’t have any of those issues!
Other Ways to Dehydrate Thyme
If you don’t have a food dehydrator, there are still ways to dry out thyme successfully. Here are a few other methods you can use:
Oven:
- Set your appliance to the lowest temperature and spread the sprigs on baking sheets.
- Leave in for 2-4 hours until brittle.
- Keep the oven door fully open to allow moisture out.
Sun Drying: Place thyme sprigs onto a concave surface like a table out in direct sunlight and leave them to dry for two days, flipping them over once daily. Bring the herbs inside at night or when it rains to prevent them from getting wet.
No matter how you choose to dehydrate thyme, you’ll have a delicious herb that can be used in various dishes and recipes! So don’t worry if you don’t have a dehydrator – there are plenty of other ways to get creative with drying out your thyme.
There you have it – a quick and straightforward guide on how to dehydrate thyme at home. Whether you prefer to buy pre-dried or make your own, the important thing is that you get the maximum benefit from the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of this fantastic herb. In addition, dehydrating thyme is a great way to store it for future use and ensure you never run out! Happy dehydrating!
