Step 1

Add the thyme to a large bowl of water and swish the herbs around gently to clean them. Then drain the water and, optionally, use a salad spinner to get rid of as much excess water first before patting dry. Otherwise, go straight to patting them dry.It's important to get rid of ALL the excess moisture before drying the thyme to it can be a good idea to let it air-dry for an extra 30-60 minutes, pat dry once more, and then move on to the next step.

Step 2

You can do this on or off the stems, but the drying time will vary.Lay the thyme in a single layer over the dehydrator tray/s, leaving some space in-between, for the air to circulate.Dry the thyme at 105°F/40°C for between 2-5 hours, until it is completely dry and brittle.The time will vary based on your machine, how much you're drying, the climate you live in, etc.

Step 3

Lay the thyme on a parchment-lined baking tray/s, with space between for the air to circulate.Place the tray in the oven at its' lowest temperature. Depending on the temperature, this process will take a different amount of time.For example, 120ºF/50ºC may take between 2-4 hours. 180ºF/80ºC may take 1-2.5 hours.If your oven doesn't go lower than 212ºF/100ºC, you may want to prop open the oven door. This will lower the temperature AND allow for better airflow. You could prop open the door with a heat-proof wooden spoon or potholder.

Step 4

Create a small thyme bouquet, tying them together at the stem with a piece of twine/string.Hang the herbs (from more string, a clothes hanger, or even using a herb drying rack in a well-ventilated, warm area away from direct sunlight.The thyme will take between 1-2 weeks to dry, depending on the weather and climate.It's a good idea to cover the thyme with a ventilated 'protective covering' like a paper bag - to avoid dust or critters settling on the herbs.

Step 5

Once dried, allow the thyme to cool entirely, remove the leaves from the stem, and transfer them to a clean, airtight glass jar.You can store the thyme whole, crumble it (by hand), or grind it into a crumble/powder (with a coffee/spice grinder or food processor).Store the jar in a cool, dark location for up to a year for optimal freshness, though it will be fine for 2 years (or longer- though the quality declines).

Step 6

How to freeze thyme? There's no need to freeze the dried thyme but it can help to extend the shelf-life of the herb even further. Store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container in the freezer for up 2 years.