How to preserve dill?

Harvest dill

Before preserving dill, it is important to harvest it under the best conditions.

• For the stems, it is best to pick them between spring and summer, before they flower, as this is when they concentrate all their aromas. Select the finest stems, straight and healthy.
• As for the seeds, they are harvested in autumn, when they turn a brown colour.

Storing dill in the fridge

First method to preserve dill stems: place them in the refrigerator.

• Wash the stems and carefully pat them dry with an absorbent paper towel. Indeed, if any moisture remains, the stems may rot.
• Option 1: Place them in a small bunch in a glass filled with water and put the glass in the bottom of the fridge in a spot where it won’t be knocked over.
• Option 2: Wrap the stems in absorbent paper and place everything in a sealed freezer bag. Make sure to expel the air and place the bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
• Dill can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.

Freezing dill

Second method for preserving dill stems: freezing.

• Wash and thoroughly pat dry the stems.
• Cut them or leave them whole, then place them in a freezer bag while removing as much air as possible.
• This method allows you to preserve dill for 1 month while retaining all its flavour.
• When using dill, there is no need to thaw it beforehand.

Drying dill

Third method for preserving dill: drying.

This applies to the stems and seeds. While it allows for longer preservation (about 1 year), drying is less effective for the stems than freezing as it causes them to lose some of their flavour.

• Gather the stems into small bunches and tie them.
• Hang the heads upside down in a dry, warm place away from light.
• Drying takes about 3 days.
• It is also possible to dry dill in the oven. Place the stems spaced out on a baking tray and set the oven to 35°C. Dill dries quickly in about ten minutes.
• Once the dill stems are dried, place them in an airtight container.
• As for the seeds, drying is the best method for preserving them, whether for use in herbal tea or in cooking.
• Dry the seeds in a dry place away from light, then store them in an airtight box.

All that’s left is to flavour your salmon dishes or herbal teas with it.

Discover our dill guide as well as our collection of dill plants and seeds!

On the left, drying dill in a hanging bunch; on the right, dried dill seeds