#Fresh thyme substitute dried how to
#Fresh thyme substitute dried professional

In a couple of days, they will dry out on their own. This simply entails hanging up the fresh sprigs of thyme somewhere in the house with a lot of air movement. The last and most natural method is air drying. However, if you don’t have the other appliances available, it’s better than nothing. This method is the most likely to end in burnt leaves. It’s a fairly risky way to dry sensitive herbs since its high heat output is quite intense. Depending on the temperature and humidity in your kitchen, it can take anywhere from 4 to 10 hours. It takes much longer to dry thyme in the food dehydrator than in the oven. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s flawless. Since the dehydrator is made specifically for drying, the quality of the dried thyme will generally be better too. Its low temperature means you’re far less likely to burn the thyme leaves. If you have a food dehydrator in the kitchen, you’re in luck. As a result, there’s a higher risk that you might burn the herb. But one disadvantage is that, compared to a food dehydrator, the oven “bakes” at a higher temperature. The quality of oven-dried thyme is usually very good. The same cannot be said for a food dehydrator. The likelihood is you will have an oven at home. There are four great methods you can use to dry thyme: drying in the oven, drying in the food dehydrator, drying in the microwave, or the time-honored leaving it to air dry.ĭrying in the oven is the most popular method since it is the most accessible. Substituting around 1 teaspoon of dried thyme will usually do the trick. To make it easier to imagine, let’s say the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of thyme (2 sprigs). The recommended substitution ratio for thyme is ⅓ unit of dried thyme for every 1 unit of fresh thyme. If the recipe calls for fresh thyme but they’re unavailable, you can substitute them with dried thyme.Ī sprig of fresh thyme is approximately ½ a tablespoon. How Much Dried Thyme Equals a Sprig of Fresh? The majority of its signature taste and smell will still be recognizable (and even become stronger).

Don’t worry about the quality of dried thyme too much. This leads to the dried herb seemingly having a stronger taste.įresh or dried, thyme can improve almost any dish. So, when the leaves are dried, the compounds that aren’t affected by heat and the dehydration process become more concentrated. One popular explanation is that the moisture present in these herbs dilutes many of their flavoring compounds. This strengthening is found in virtually all herbs. They also found that thyme’s signature balsamic, earthy, and woody taste and scent are strengthened when it’s dried. Even though dried thyme doesn’t taste nearly as fresh, many of its other qualities are improved.

#Fresh thyme substitute dried professional

Specifically, a panel of professional taste-testers found that dried thyme doesn’t have the fresh, vegetal, and herbaceous scent of fresh thyme.īut don’t let that put you off. This loss affects the taste and aroma of dried thyme. In a 2013 study, it was found that many of the aromatic chemicals in thyme (called volatiles) are destroyed when the leaves are dried. Dried thyme has a very different taste and aroma profile compared to fresh thyme. Scientifically, thyme loses a fair amount of its flavoring and aromatic chemicals when it’s dried. Some will find dried thyme to be inferior to fresh leaves, while others will tell you that they have about the same taste and aroma. Dried Thyme: Which Is More Superior?ĭepending on who you ask, the answer is going to be different. Thankfully, by drying it, you can extend the shelf-life of this herb from weeks to years. Just a sprinkle of thyme in the right recipe (typically Mediterranean) can dramatically improve the taste and the aroma.īut fresh thyme doesn’t last very long and can begin to wilt after a week.

Its sharp, herbaceous taste with a hint of mint makes it a beloved ingredient of many chefs.

#Fresh thyme substitute dried how to

As one of the most versatile and popular herbs out there, learning how to dry thyme can be incredibly useful and rewarding.