Perky Tips and Tricks to Dry and Store Dill Weed in the Best Way

Storing dill weed after drying it makes it available for future use. This aromatic plant is a perennial herb which is easy to grow. We, at Tastessence, provide you with a few easy methods which will tell you how to go about drying and storing fresh dill weed.

Tips

▣ Do not soak dill weed in the water for a long time while cleaning it. This reduces the flavor of the herb.
▣ Even a small amount of moisture can mold it. Make sure the crushed dill is completely dry.

Herbs have always been healthier side additions to any dish. While the fresh ones taste great, the dried ones are no less either. They are handy when fresh herbs are not available.

Dill weed is a herb with a filament-like texture, which imparts great flavor to food, and thus, any kind of casseroles taste great with it at the side. It lends an aromatic flavor to fish, chicken, and vegetables, and enhances the taste of dressing or dips. It is a part of most Scandinavian and German dishes. This weed is known to be rich in many antioxidants and minerals. We list a few methods to dry fresh dill weed, which can be selected on the basis of how long you need the dried weed to last.

How to Dry and Store Fresh Dill Weed

In the Oven

Things you need:

• Knife/pair of scissors
• Oven
• Parchment paper
• Kitchen wipes
• Glass jar

Procedure:

1. Spray some water to clean the dill sprigs to be dried.
2. Cut the sprigs from the stem.
3. Soak the plucked weeds with water, and rinse.
4. Wipe the weeds with a clean kitchen towel to dry them.
5. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 110ºF.
6. Place the dill on a baking sheet (covered with parchment paper) in the oven.
7. Keep the weed in the oven for about 3 – 4 hours. Check every 30 minutes to see if the weed is dry enough, such that it crushes easily. If it crushes, take it out from the oven.

Storing:

• Crush the dried dill weed by hand. Store them in an airtight container or a glass jar.

Lasts For: 3 – 4 months

Air Drying

Things you need:

• Knife/pair of scissors
• Kitchen wipes
• Glass jar
• Brown paper bags (small holes cut on them)

Procedure:

1. Splash some water on the dill plant to be harvested.
2. Cut the weeds from the stem.
3. Wash the twigs thoroughly to clean them.
4. Rinse the weeds and dry them thoroughly using a kitchen towel.
5. Make small bunches of a few twigs together. To make a bunch, tie the stems of these twigs using a thread.
6. Place them in the brown paper bags.
7. Hang the paper bags to air-dry the weeds.
8. Check after a couple of days. When the weed crushes using the hands, it is ready to be stored.

Storing:

• Crush the dried dill weed by hand. Store them in an airtight container or a glass jar.

Lasts For: 3 – 4 months

In the Microwave

Things you need:

• Knife/pair of scissors
• Microwave
• Kitchen wipes
• Jar/airtight container

Procedure:

1. Clean the plant by sprinkling some water over it.
2. Cut off the weeds that need to be dried.
3. Wash the weeds clean to remove any dirt and impurities.
4. Place them on a clean kitchen towel to drain the water.
5. Place the twigs on a microwave-safe tray.
6. Set the temperature of the microwave to about 110ºF.
7. Heat the twigs for about 10 minutes.
8. Keep checking after every 2 minutes to see if the herb has dried. If the weed crushes, it is ready to be stored.

Storing:

• Crush the dried dill weed by hand. Store them in an airtight container or a glass jar.

Lasts For: 1 – 1½ month

Points to Remember

▶ In all the above methods, only the weed has been taken from its plant. In case you wish to store the seeds too, cut the blossoms of the plant along with the weed.
▶ Avoid keeping the dried weed in a warm place. Place them in a shelf or cool area, preferably a refrigerator.
▶ Avoid placing them on metallic trays in the oven or microwave, as they tend to lose their color.

How Long Does Dry Dill Weed Last?

Air-dried and oven-dried dill weed lasts longer than the microwave dried type. The drying process should be properly followed to drain all the moisture off from the weed, so as to retain its flavor and increase its shelf-life. Air-dried and oven-dried lasts over three months, while the ones dried using a microwave lasts for less than 2 months. In order to check the freshness of the dried seasoning, pour some quantity over your hand and crush it. Smell and consume a bit of it. If the aroma seems to have weakened, it means that the weed has lost its freshness.

The above methods are quite easy. Aren’t they? So, next time you harvest dill weed or have an extra bunch lying at home, store the stuff using any of these methods. It will work as a good seasoning to your food for days to come.

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