How to Dry Sage: 4 Ways to Dry Sage at Home

Dried sage is the dehydrated form of the aromatic herb sage. Drying sage prolongs its shelf life, since dry herbs are less susceptible to spoilage. If you grow your own sage, drying can be a great way to preserve its flavor.

In the kitchen, sage is a versatile ingredient with a strong, earthy flavor that pairs well with fatty meats. It’s also a welcome addition to squash and pasta dishes, whether combined with garlic into sage butter or incorporated into a tomato sauce.

Burning white sage bundles and spreading the smoke around your home or other important place—a process known as smudging—is also a common use of dried sage, originally practiced by Indigenous people of North America. In addition to having cultural and spiritual significance, sage smoke also has a pleasant aroma and antimicrobial qualities.

There are several effective methods for drying sage plants that differ based on their drying times and necessary equipment. The first step regardless of method is to gather fresh sage, either from your herb garden or by buying sage bundles from the grocery store. Next, remove the sage leaves from the stem, taking care to discard any dried-out or discolored leaves. Wash them in a colander under running water, shake any excess water, and dry with a tea towel or paper towel. Now you’re ready to dry your sage using one of the following techniques.

1. 1. In a food dehydrator: If you have a food dehydrator, spread the fresh sage leaves out on the rack in a single layer and dry them at between ninety-five and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, checking on them every hour or so, until the leaves crumble easily.
2. 2. In the oven: Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and spread the sage leaves out in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Place the sage in the oven on its lowest temperature, checking on it every fifteen minutes until it has dried completely.
3. 3. In the microwave: Microwave your sage leaves in thirty-second increments until the sage is dry.
4. 4. In the open air: Bundle your sage leaves together in groups of five or ten using twine or a rubber band. Cover the bundles with a perforated paper bag and hang them until dry. Depending on the humidity, this could take several days.

The sage-drying process is relatively easy, provided you keep several things in mind.

1. 1. Use good quality sage. For the best results, make sure that the sage you use is clean, dry, and blemish-free.
2. 2. Store properly. Store your newly dried herbs in an airtight container in a dark place away from direct sunlight. This will keep the herbs from oxidizing and losing their flavor. Stored properly, dried sage will keep for up to one year.
3. 3. Keep humidity in mind. If you live in a particularly humid area, it’s better to opt for the oven or microwave method rather than air-drying.

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