How to Dry Fresh Rosemary in the Microwave in 2 Minutes

From delicious breads to roasted chicken, rosemary is just one of those bold and flavorful herbs we love. Since a little goes a long way, though, I don’t go through fresh rosemary very quickly. So let’s talk about how to dry fresh rosemary in the microwave for an easy way to save it!

For another easy alternative, make sure to learn more about drying rosemary in the air fryer as well!

how to dry fresh rosemary in the microwave dinners done quick

Can You Dry Rosemary in the Microwave?

Yes, you can dry rosemary in the microwave.

In fact, the microwave is one of the best methods to dry rosemary quickly. Both the oven and air drying take significantly longer, though the air fryer is pretty comparable.

This way you’ll always have some handy when you want to dress up a turkey, which you can roast up perfectly from our best LG air fryer oven recipes list.

How to Dry Fresh Rosemary in the Microwave: Instructions

  1. Wash and dry fresh rosemary if needed
  2. Trim all stem below the rosemary leaves off using scissors, kitchen shears, or a knife
wash and dry fresh rosemary then trim stems below the leaves
  1. Place a paper towel on a microwave safe plate
  2. Set the rosemary out in a single layer over the top of the paper towel
place rosemary on paper towel on top of a microwave safe plate
  1. Cover with another paper towel, tucking the ends under the plate
cover fresh rosemary sprigs with a second paper towel
  1. Microwave the rosemary on high for 30 seconds, then check for doneness
  2. Repeat in 30-second increments until rosemary leaves are dry and break easily when touched
dry rosemary in the microwave until the leaves break off easily
  1. Remove leaves from stems by holding the base of the stem in one hand, and running your other hand down the stem over a plate or bowl
remove dried rosemary leaves by grabbing the end of the stem and running your hand up it
  1. Crush rosemary leaves into smaller pieces if desired using a chef’s knife or a mortar and pestle
  2. Store in an airtight container or spice jar for best results
store microwave dried rosemary leaves in an airtight spice jar

This is a similar leaf-removal technique to when you dry thyme in the microwave

It generally takes me around 2 minutes in a 1000W microwave to get fresh rosemary completely dried. If you have a lower wattage unit, expect it to take slightly longer, and a higher wattage unit may take less time.

Try to avoid overlapping leaves as much as possible to promote even drying. If certain bunches are done, you can always remove them from the plate and give still-wet leaves a few extra seconds.

Do You Have to Wash Rosemary Before Drying It?

You don’t have to wash rosemary before drying it, but it is recommended.

Washing your rosemary helps remove any residual dirt, dead leaves, and any other foreign objects you don’t want in your food.

Just give it a nice rinse, and thoroughly pat it dry (or let it air dry for a couple hours) to get rid of the excess moisture.

quick dried fresh rosemary in the microwave in 2 minutes

Is it Safe to Dry Rosemary in the Microwave?

Yes, it is safe to dry rosemary in the microwave, so long as you remove the tough, woody stems.

Cut everything away under where the leaves themselves start and you’ll be good to go!

The stems can actually be a fire hazard if left intact, but they’re easy to snip off with a pair of scissors so no need to worry!

It’s the same thing I always do when I dry parsley in the microwave as well!

How Do You Store Dried Fresh Rosemary?

The best way to store dried fresh rosemary to preserve freshness is:

  • Spice jar
  • Airtight container
  • Plastic (Ziploc) bag
  • Mason jar

Basically, you’ll want to decrease air contact as much as possible, which preserves the longevity of the potency of your rosemary.

Final Thoughts

Drying rosemary in the microwave is a quick, yet simple way to dehydrate your fresh rosemary for use later. Whether you have an over-abundant harvest from your herb garden, or just some leftovers from the store, it’s easy to save them so they don’t go to waste!

Rosemary is a great herb in breads, sauces, herb rubs for poultry, and even in soups and stews!  Try it out in place of basil in this air fryer roasted tomato soup!

how to dry fresh rosemary in the microwave dinners done quick featured image

Dried Fresh Rosemary in the Microwave

Dry fresh rosemary quickly and easily with the help of your microwave. You can dehydrate rosemary in under 3 minutes for a fast way to preserve it.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Course Garnish
Cuisine Herb
Servings 5
Calories 4 kcal

Equipment

  • Microwave
  • Plate safe for microwave use
  • Scissors, kitchen shears, or chef's knife

Ingredients
  

  • 8-9 sprigs Rosemary washed and dried if needed

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dry fresh rosemary sprigs if needed
    8-9 sprigs Rosemary
  • Trim all stem below the rosemary leaves off using scissors, kitchen shears, or a knife
  • Place a paper towel on a microwave safe plate
  • Set the rosemary out in a single layer over the top of the paper towel
  • Cover with another paper towel, tucking the ends under the plate
  • Microwave the rosemary on high for 30 seconds, then check for doneness
  • Repeat in 30-second increments until rosemary leaves feel dry and break easily when touched
  • Remove leaves from stems by holding the base of the stem in one hand, and running your other hand down the stem over a plate or bowl
  • Crush rosemary leaves into smaller pieces if desired using your hands, a chef’s knife, or a mortar and pestle
  • Store in an airtight container or spice jar for best results

Notes

  • Average drying time is about 2 minutes in a 1000W microwave
  • Try not to overlap rosemary sprigs for more even drying, and dry in batches if necessary
  • Tucking the ends of the paper towel under the plate keep it from flying off and knocking your herbs around in the microwave
  • This amount of fresh rosemary should net you between 1 ½ – 2 Tablespoons dried depending on the size of your leaves
  • As you remove the leaves, I find the stems break near the top (the thinnest part) very easily, so you may have to pluck the last few leaves by hand
  • Dried rosemary leaves may be left whole, or feel free to break into smaller pieces with a knife or a mortar and pestle. You can break by hand, but the dried rosemary leaves are very pointy and will cause you some discomfort to do so
  • Store in an airtight container or spice jar for best results
  • Dry rosemary keeps well for about 1 year. After that, while still safe to consume, it loses potency and flavor significantly

Nutrition

Serving: 1.2gCalories: 4kcalCarbohydrates: 0.8gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 0.6mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 0.5gVitamin A: 6.23IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword can you dry rosemary in the microwave, dried rosemary, dry rosemary in microwave, drying herbs, drying herbs in the microwave, how to dry fresh rosemary in the microwave, how to dry rosemary in the microwave, rosemary
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Katie Vine