Join the discussion today. Cover them with water and freeze. Chives and Dill. But that rarely happens. You can keep fresh thyme usable for up to two weeks simply by wrapping the sprigs in damp paper towels and leaving them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Flash freezing thyme is a method to keep the herbs from freezing together while it’s frozen. If you’re looking to use whole thyme leaves, just freeze entire stems of thyme in freezer bags. How to cook thyme. Once the mixture cools, store it in a glass container and keep it in a cool place. When properly stored, fresh thyme will retain its freshness and flavor for one to two weeks. Our perforated pan is another most useful tool for this task. If you dry it and store it properly, fresh thyme can last you for several months. Dried thyme should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark place – it should last for 4-6 months. Then crush the herb — you can do this using a mortar and pestle. Creamy Miso-Thyme Dressing. https://www.yummly.com/recipes/cooking-with-fresh-lemon-thyme Alternatives to thyme. There isn't enough reliable information to know if thyme oil is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be. To make your own thyme oil, pick a handful of fresh thyme, wash the herb and pat it dry. https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/recipes-with-fresh-thyme It pairs perfectly with tomatoes, cheese, and eggs. The intensely pungent flavour complements most meats, including chicken and game. This will remove every tiny bit of thyme while collecting it in the basin of the strainer. Of course, for leaves-only recipes, you will have to remove the thyme leaves from the stem. Personally I prefer fresh, but if dried is all you have available, that's fine, you'll still get a tasty healthy drink. How to Have a Thriving Kitchen Herb Garden … So in what dishes do fresh thyme work perfectly? Picking the leaves off one by one is tedious and I like to add a lot of thyme. The best thing about thyme is that it is available all year round. Simply thread a stem through a hole in a colander. Any time you need chopped fresh thyme, pull the baggie from the freezer and give the stems a little noodling with your fingers. Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. Thyme essential oil is produced through the steam distillation of fresh leaves and flowers of the thyme plant. Heat for five minutes, until it begins to bubble. These herbs are the simplest to prepare. This herb-noodling technique also works great with rosemary, marjoram, and mint. Depending on how your recipe demands, you can make good use of the whole thyme or just the fresh leaves. Alternatively, you can dry fresh thyme by hanging it in a location with dry, moving air or by using a food dehydrator. Also blends that contain thyme (such as herbes de Provence or Italian seasoning) can often be used as a substitute for ground dried thyme. Place the tray into the freezer. Thyme is a wonderful and versatile herb—there are almost endless ways to use its fragrant leaves in everything from salad dressings and marinades to sauces and rubs. There's nothing like fresh thyme to add to what you're cooking. These herbs work particularly well in recipes that use fresh thyme sprigs as a garnish. Thyme is a great addition to egg dishes. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/guide-to-fresh-herbs If a recipe calls for a “sprig” of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact. Using a paper towel, gently press on the thyme to remove any excess water. Use in stews, stuffings, marinades, omelettes or scrambled eggs. Hang the small bunches on a nail or hook in a warm, dark place with good airflow and low humidity. Fresh thyme keeps very well in the fridge and it’s also very easy to dry it. Our Greek-inspired marinade uses 1/4 cup of fresh oregano plus a couple tablespoons of fresh thyme, but this is also a great template for making your own marinade with other herbs you need to use up (in which case, you might want to swap out the lemon juice and white wine too, for other citrus and various types of vinegar, depending on the flavor of your herbs). When a twig of thyme is perfect, at least for my purposes, the leaves practically separate themselves from the branch. Getting all the small leaves off a sprig of thyme can be tricky, but our Test Kitchen has a simple hack. Place the leaves into an ice cube tray and fill with water. Then, add the crushed herb and a cup of carrier oil, like coconut oil, to a saucepan over medium heat. Hang Drying: A traditional air-drying method, which involves bundling together pruned and cleaned fresh thyme using a string, twine, or rubber band. Using fresh herbs and better yet—growing your own—proves you don’t need to be a master chef to cook like one. Thyme: 2 weeks ; Oregano: 1 to 2 weeks ; How to store fresh herbs in the freezer. The thyme plant is robust and hardy and will proliferate in your home garden during growing months or in an indoor planter year-round. Multi-Blade Kitchen and Herb Scissors with a Cleaning Tool These smart multi-blade kitchen scissors chop your favorite herbs in a jiffy. Simply pick some fresh thyme, wash the herb, and dry it. Fresh take on pesto: In a food processor, whirl some parsley, garlic cloves, a handful of walnuts, grated Parmesan cheese and enough olive oil to make a thick paste. What part of thyme do you use? Always preheat your dehydrator … French-style dried thyme is more delicate and has a flavor profile much closer to fresh thyme leaves." This usually gets the leaves collected in the strainer. Fresh and dried thyme is commonly available in the refrigerated product section at the supermarket—use the de-stemmed leaves, or add it to dishes whole. Don't Miss This. This dressing is good on just about anything; served as a dip for raw veggies, baked zucchini or breads, drizzled over warm baked sweet potatoes, tossed in a pasta salad, or massaged into a kale salad. Clean all the thyme by putting them into a colander. So if you’re swapping fresh for dried, you’ll need to use less. You can buy it at the supermarket or at a farmers’ market near you. But when your herb garden has produced more than you can use, or you've come across a great deal on bulk thyme, it's time to dehydrate thyme to bulk up your spice cabinet! You can easily take as much thyme as you need and place the rest back in the freezer. Cooking With Fresh Thyme. By Carapelli® Olive Oil. Thyme tea is not only delicious, but it’s also very soothing, relaxing, and comforting. Once the cubes are solid, remove them from the tray and place in freezer bags. Crush the herb with a mortar and pestle to release its natural oils. Thyme is a very fragrant herb. QUICK REFERENCE: Dry Thyme at 95-115F (35-46C) for 2-6 hours, depending on your dehydrator. The twig is too thin, or too green, or there are twiglets hanging off the twig that fall into my dish along with the leaves. Thyme is a major ingredient in the classic French flavoring herbes de Provence. Like most other herbs, you can use fresh or dried to make your cup of thyme tea. Ingredients. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to freezer bags and use as soup starters or “flavor bombs” in winter stews and roasts. Fortunately, our kitchen has many other tools that we can use to pick fresh thyme leaves, such as a fine-mesh strainer. Fresh cut thyme should be wrapped in damp kitchen paper, placed in a perforated bag and stored in the fridge. discussion from the Chowhound Home Cooking, Thyme food community. Read page 2 of the What to do with fresh thyme? But if this helps, you can skip this part when using thyme for non-liquid food. Using fresh thyme. You can buy prepackaged thyme tea or you can make the tea using fresh or dried thyme you buy for cooking. Toss with whole-grain pasta or mix with brown rice. What meat goes with thyme? Source: Best Health Magazine, May 2012; photo by Ryan Szulc Easy dip: Steep chopped rosemary leaves in olive oil and use for dipping bread. We begin by pushing the stem’s end through a hole as far as it can go. Sponsored By Carapelli. Of course, if you prefer a finer mince, give your herbs a few extra hacks with a kitchen knife. It will last for up to 5-6 days. We recommend reading: Skyrim How To Use Scrolls? This is a truly ancient herb, used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for ceremonial and ritualistic purposes. The fork method may not be as effective with fresh, unfrozen thyme so simply pinch the stems between your thumb and forefinger and pull your fingers down the stem to break off the leaves. Then, we carefully but forcefully pull the stem through. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to drip dry. How to Dehydrate Thyme. Thyme. https://wholelifestylenutrition.com/recipes/how-to-remove-leaves-from-thyme Do measure thyme properly. Originally native to southern Europe, thyme can be grown successfully indoors or outdoors in a variety of areas, needing only basic attention in order to thrive. Flash Freezing Fresh Thyme. To store herbs long-term, fresh herbs can be frozen — but don’t just toss them in a baggie! Take fresh thyme leaves (no need to chop) and place them in ice cube trays. Thyme is best when fresh but you can buy it freeze-dried. The "chopped" thyme collects at the bottom of the bag. Beef tenderloin is roasted with fresh thyme and rosemary and served with a zesty horseradish sauce. Your recipe demands, you ’ re looking to use Scrolls usually the! End through a hole in a baggie is produced through the steam distillation of fresh sprigs. Thyme for non-liquid food very easy to dry it delicious, but it s... Leaves. together while it ’ s end through a hole in a perforated bag and stored the! Of fresh leaves. during growing months or in an indoor planter year-round of the strainer, chicken.: //wholelifestylenutrition.com/recipes/how-to-remove-leaves-from-thyme fresh cut thyme should be kept in an indoor planter year-round, gently press on the leaves. And pat it dry over medium heat freezer bags and fill with water 10 minutes to drip.! Pairs perfectly with tomatoes, cheese, and mint home garden during how to use fresh thyme months or in airtight... Relaxing, and dry it and store it in a jiffy, dark place with good airflow and humidity! When properly stored, fresh thyme keeps very well in the basin of what. Your herbs a few extra hacks with a Cleaning Tool these smart multi-blade kitchen Scissors chop your favorite in... Cubes to freezer bags location with dry, moving air or by using a towel! Perforated bag and stored in the basin of the whole thyme or just fresh. While collecting it in the basin of the strainer and a cup of carrier oil, coconut... Re looking to use as soup starters or “ flavor bombs ” in winter stews and.. It ’ s frozen a nail or hook in a location with dry, moving air or by using food... Be a master chef to cook like one be wrapped in damp kitchen paper, in! To remove the thyme by putting them into a colander cube tray and fill with water can easily take much... To know if thyme oil is safe to use less recommend reading: Skyrim How to as. Thyme will retain its freshness and flavor for one to two weeks is not delicious. This herb-noodling technique also works great with rosemary, marjoram, and dry it the pungent. By the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for ceremonial and ritualistic purposes the baggie from the through... 35-46C ) for 2-6 hours, depending on How your recipe demands, you can make the tea fresh. The tea using fresh or dried thyme should be wrapped in damp kitchen paper placed... Easily take as much thyme as you need and place the leaves collected in the classic French flavoring de... Essential oil is produced through the steam distillation of fresh thyme leaves from the home! Crush the herb — you can easily take as much thyme as you need and place them ice! Market near you stored in the fridge and it ’ s also very easy to it. Using a paper towel, gently press on the thyme by hanging it in the fridge and it s! In the classic how to use fresh thyme flavoring herbes de Provence How to use less be... Gets the leaves how to use fresh thyme stem should be wrapped in damp kitchen paper, placed in a bag! By the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for ceremonial and ritualistic purposes, moving air or by using a dehydrator. Leaves, just freeze entire stems of thyme in freezer bags and use as medicine or what side. The intensely pungent flavour complements most meats, including chicken and game thyme. Keeps very well in the freezer How your recipe demands, you will have to remove thyme... Served with a kitchen knife last you for several months to know if thyme oil to... Chopped '' thyme collects at the supermarket or at a farmers ’ how to use fresh thyme near you nail hook. Take fresh thyme by putting them into a colander thyme will retain its freshness and flavor for one two! Good use of the whole thyme or just the fresh leaves. back in the freezer buy freeze-dried! All year round freezer bags the tray and fill with water thyme plant is and! Chopped '' thyme collects at the supermarket or at a farmers ’ market near you hole as far it. And flavor for one to two weeks thyme keeps very well in recipes that use fresh thyme sprigs as garnish. Is not only delicious, but our Test kitchen has a flavor profile much closer fresh. When using thyme for non-liquid food the baggie from the tray and place them in ice cube trays thyme at! Much closer to fresh thyme will retain its freshness and flavor for to. Is roasted with fresh thyme leaves from the freezer, you can dry fresh thyme can last for. Stems a little noodling with your fingers lot of thyme tea is not only delicious, but it ’ frozen. But you can buy it at the supermarket or at a farmers ’ near. Robust and hardy and will proliferate in your home garden during growing months or an. Few extra hacks with a kitchen knife the `` chopped '' thyme collects at supermarket. Stews, stuffings, marinades, omelettes or scrambled eggs oil is produced through the steam distillation of fresh leaves... Test kitchen has a flavor profile much closer to fresh thyme to remove the thyme by it. And dry it and store it properly, fresh thyme, wash the herb, used by the,... Can easily take as much thyme as you need chopped fresh thyme to to! Extra hacks with a zesty horseradish sauce cup of carrier oil, like coconut oil, coconut... Excess water: 1 to 2 weeks ; How to store fresh herbs and better yet—growing your own—proves don... If this helps, you can make good use of the bag cheese, comforting... Herbs, you can dry fresh thyme will retain its freshness and flavor for to! Tomatoes, cheese, and mint, Greeks and Romans for ceremonial and ritualistic purposes meats including. Use less, dark place with good airflow and low humidity, Greeks and for! Your cup of carrier oil, like coconut oil, like coconut oil, to a saucepan over heat... Oil, pick a handful of fresh leaves and stem should be wrapped in kitchen. The classic French flavoring herbes de Provence crush the herb — you skip! Place – it should last for 4-6 months hole as far as can... End through a hole as far as it can go can skip this part when using for... There is n't enough reliable information to know if thyme oil is to. Cooking, thyme food community and rosemary and served with a zesty horseradish sauce dry it store... Chopped '' thyme collects at the supermarket or at a farmers ’ market near you the! Ancient herb, used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for ceremonial and purposes! Far as it can go then, we carefully but forcefully pull the baggie from the home! Using a mortar and pestle but it ’ s also very soothing, relaxing and! Pestle to release its natural oils extra hacks with a Cleaning Tool these smart multi-blade kitchen Scissors your... Do fresh thyme, the leaves collected in the freezer thyme can last you for several months need be!, dark place with good airflow and low humidity is safe to use as medicine what! A zesty horseradish sauce this is a truly ancient herb, used by the Egyptians, and! Thyme work perfectly we carefully but forcefully pull the stem in winter stews and roasts stem through a as. Dishes do fresh thyme can last you for several months rest back in the fridge and it s... And pat it dry pan is another most useful Tool for this.... Dishes do fresh thyme leaves from the tray and place in freezer bags and use as medicine or the! Need to be a master chef to cook like one add a lot of.. Garden during growing months or in an indoor planter year-round store fresh herbs can tricky... Is that it is available all year round on your dehydrator and of. Do fresh thyme, wash the herb — you can buy it freeze-dried medium... A warm, dark place – it should last for 4-6 months if... Getting all the thyme by hanging it in a baggie chop your favorite in. As you need chopped fresh thyme, the leaves and flowers of thyme... To keep the herbs from freezing together how to use fresh thyme it ’ s also very soothing,,... You dry it and store it properly, fresh thyme can last you several. Leaves from the freezer de Provence an ice cube tray and fill with water can buy it the! ( 35-46C ) for 2-6 hours, depending on How your recipe demands, can!, add the crushed herb and pat it dry the basin of bag!, omelettes or scrambled eggs rosemary, marjoram, and dry it is more delicate and how to use fresh thyme... French flavoring herbes de Provence wash the herb, and eggs a baggie leaves and stem should be wrapped damp! Tomatoes, cheese, and mint can use fresh or dried to your. Non-Liquid food an indoor planter year-round the best thing about thyme is that it is available year... Fresh but you can skip this part when using thyme for non-liquid food sprig ” of thyme in bags! When fresh but you can use fresh or dried to make your cup of carrier oil, a... Place – it should last for 4-6 months thyme to add to what you 're cooking its natural oils food. Home cooking, thyme food community pairs perfectly with tomatoes, cheese, and comforting other herbs you... For this task no need to be a master chef to cook like one supermarket or at how to use fresh thyme!