If you find yourself with a lot of fresh dill, drying it can be a great way to preserve the flavors for a long time (without taking freezer space!) Figure out which of these four ways is best for you!
Cut the bottom off of the dill plant, leaving a few inches of stem. Gather the dill plants together in a bundle and tie them securely with rubber bands. Hang the bundle of dill upside down in a dry, dark, but well-ventilated place.
Allow the herbs to dry for about two weeks. Once the dill is completely dried, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container.
Dehydrate Dill
Clean and dry dill thoroughly. Cut off any yellow flowers as they will make the dill less potent. Also cut the stems into smaller pieces so that they fit onto your dehydrator trays.
Place the dill on your tray and then the tray into your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 95-100°F.
The total time will depend on how fresh the herb is and how humid your environment is, but it usually does not take more than 4 to 6 hours! Once dry, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Oven Dry Dill
Preheat your oven to the lowest setting possible - in most ovens, this is usually between 150°F and 200°F.
Turn off the oven, and then place the dill, evenly spread out, on a baking sheet with parchment paper on it. Place this in the oven with the oven light on. Having the oven light turned on can help you check on the dill periodically and have a bit of a heat (without burning the dill).
Check after 25-30 minutes, and then every 15 minutes until it’s dried. Once it's dried, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Microwave Dill
Rinse your fresh dill and shake the excess water off (or use a salad spinner!) and place it on a paper towel.
Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, in 30-second intervals, or until it is completely dry and crisp.
Check and rotate plate if necessary. Be careful not to overcook the dill, as it will become bitter.
After that, you can store the dried dill in an airtight container and use it as you would any other dried herb.
Notes
Check out the post for more details on when to use what method. I typically prefer air drying or oven-drying my dill. I find that it's the best balance between cost, time, and flavor preservation!