Oregano is easily grown in the garden at home, whether it's in the backyard or in a container. Hopefully, you have fresh oregano at your beck and call. If that's not the case, though, grocery stores typically carry fresh oregano in the produce department. Store it properly, so it doesn't wither away unused in the refrigerator.
Selecting Fresh Oregano
In most cases, fresh oregano in the grocery store will be packaged in a plastic clamshell. Peer into it to make sure that the oregano is still looking fresh. Purchased fresh oregano branches should be rich green in color and not the least bit limp.
If you're picking oregano from a garden, let the morning dew evaporate before harvesting the herb. If you pick it before the water has gone, it could damage the leaves and release the oils, which you would rather keep inside the plant for when you cook with it.
Storing Fresh Oregano
Fresh oregano must be used quickly. Whether it's homegrown or purchased, oregano should be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you place a slightly damp paper towel in the bag with the oregano and leave some air in the bag, it may extend the life up to one week. You may also extend the shelf life of fresh oregano by storing whole stems with leaves in a glass of water with a plastic bag loosely tented over the glass.
Freezing Fresh Oregano
Fresh oregano can also be frozen. Before doing so, though, wash and dry the fresh oregano sprigs. Strip whole leaves from stems and place in plastic bag loosely without crushing, but remove all air. Freeze and keep in a location where it will not get crushed. No need to thaw before using. You can also mix chopped leaves with a small amount of water or puree them and freeze in ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop out the cubes into a plastic bag and seal tightly. Use frozen oregano within one year.
Drying Oregano
Unlike with other herbs, dried oregano is often preferred over the fresh herb. It provides a subtle flavor to Italian, Mexican, or Greek cuisine without overpowering the other flavors.
To dry fresh oregano, tie sprigs into a bunch and hang in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. Once dried, seal tightly and store away from sunlight. In general, dried common oregano sold in the grocery stores is actually a mixture of different varieties of oregano combined with marjoram and thyme. You could also pull all the oregano leaves off the stem before drying, spread them across a baking sheet, and let them dry.
As with all dried herbs, dried oregano should be kept in a cool, dark place in a tightly-sealed container and used within 6 months for the freshest flavor. It will not spoil if kept longer, but its potency will deteriorate greatly with time.
When cooking with dried oregano, rub the herb between your fingers just slightly. The warmth of the hands will release its flavor.
FAQs
The secret to making herbs last longer is to wash, dry, wrap and store. To wash herbs, fill a bowl with water and gently swish them around to loosen any dirt, then lift out and shake dry.
How should fresh oregano be stored? ›
Whether it's homegrown or purchased, oregano should be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you place a slightly damp paper towel in the bag with the oregano and leave some air in the bag, it may extend the life up to one week.
What to do with excess fresh oregano? ›
- Herby dip. Mix chopped oregano leaves and stems into soft cheese or Greek yoghurt. ...
- Aromatic chilli. Stir chopped oregano stems through chilli con carne as it cooks. ...
- Calming tea. Fill a mug with freshly boiled water, add a slice of lemon, then stir with an oregano stem (with leaves attached).
A3: Freshly harvested oregano can be stored in the refrigerator for a short period. Gently wash the stems, pat them dry, and place them in a plastic bag or wrap them in a damp paper towel. Store them in the vegetable crisper section of your refrigerator and use within a week for the best flavor.
Does fresh oregano go bad? ›
Understanding Spice Shelf Life
Fresh oregano typically lasts between 5 to 7 days when stored in a refrigerator, ensuring its leaves stay flavorful for culinary use. It's important to note that fresh oregano will only last 2-3 days at room temperature before it starts to deteriorate.
What to do with fresh oregano from the garden? ›
Say hello to your new favorite herb — oregano is perfect for homemade pesto, grilled seafood, and roasted chicken. A member of the mint family and close relative of marjoram, oregano is native to the Mediterranean and is widely used in cuisines across the region.
Can you use fresh oregano after it flowers? ›
The herb tastes great fresh and also dries very well. When pruning your garden to keep your plants nice and bushy, keep those flowers for use in the kitchen (they're edible!). They are mild and taste softly of oregano; beautiful and delicious.
How do you revive wilted oregano? ›
Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Remove any bruised or blackened leaves, and then submerge the wilted herbs, stems and all, into the ice bath. The cold water will shock the herbs back to life. Depending on the herb and just how wilted it is, this could take as little as 15 minutes to as long as an hour.
Can fresh oregano be frozen for later use? ›
Heartier herbs, think those with thicker leaves and twig-like stems – rosemary and oregano – do well being frozen whole. Dry your herbs off very well before freezing. You can do so by blotting with paper towels and/or leaving to dry in a strainer for a while. Freeze while fresh for the best taste.
Does oregano grow back after cutting? ›
Oregano can be propagated easily from stem cuttings. "Roots will develop in a couple of weeks," says McEnaney. "Once the roots begin to fill the small propagation pot, it can be planted in the landscape or a larger pot." Cut a 4- to 5-inch stem from your existing plant just above a leaf node.
Hold onto dried green herbs (such as basil and oregano) for six months to three years, watching for fading color and flavor to guide you. Although these seasonings may look attractive displayed over the stove, exposure to heat and moisture can make them lose flavor faster.
Can you eat oregano straight from the garden? ›
You can harvest the leaves regularly through spring and summer to enjoy in a wide range of dishes, infusing them with rich Mediterranean flavour. Oregano leaves are usually used dried, but can also be added fresh at the end of cooking.
How can I preserve fresh oregano? ›
- Fresh tips to keep you in the orega-know - Oregano
- Roll. Roll herbs in a damp paper towel.
- Place herbs in a Glad® Zipper Bag. Do not seal the bag.
- Place bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Yet, using oregano in cooking can add flavor and nutrition without adding fat and sodium. Eating fresh oregano raw is typically uncommon as people find the flavor too pungent. But fresh, chopped oregano can be added to salads or in the final stages of cooking dishes.
Can you eat too much fresh oregano? ›
When taken by mouth: Oregano leaf and oregano oil are likely safe when eaten in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if oregano is safe to use in amounts greater than those found in food. Mild side effects include stomach upset.
Can you put fresh oregano in the refrigerator? ›
- Fresh tips to keep you in the orega-know - Oregano
Do not seal the bag. Place bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
How do you take care of fresh oregano? ›
Water newly planted oregano regularly for at least the first summer. This Mediterranean herb is drought tolerant once established and shouldn't need additional watering when growing in the ground. In containers, the compost will dry out rapidly, so water regularly over the summer months.
