How to Convert Fresh to Dried Herb Measurements

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Updated on 03/20/24

Fresh-to-Dried Herb Converter

Use this easy formula as a fresh-to-dried herb converter: 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs. In other words, use three times as much fresh herbs when the recipe calls for dried and 1/3 of the amount of dried herbs when the recipe calls for fresh.

3:1 Conversion Exclusions

The 3:1 ratio will work for most dried-to-fresh herb conversions; however, there are a few cases in which it's not quite so simple. For example, fresh garlic is often measured in cloves rather than teaspoons or tablespoons. In that case, use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of fresh garlic in the recipe. Other exclusions include:

Basil: Substitute 1 teaspoon of dried basil for every 2 teaspoons of fresh basil.
Ginger: Substitute 1/4 teaspoon dry ground ginger for every 1 teaspoon of freshly grated gingerroot.
Onion: Substitute 1 teaspoon onion powder for every medium fresh onion.
Sage: Substitute 1 teaspoon dried sage for every 7 fresh leaves or 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage.
Thyme: Substitute 3/4 teaspoon ground thyme for every 6 sprigs or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme.

Cooking With Dried vs. Fresh Herbs

A fresh-to-dried herb converter isn't the only thing you need to consider when making the swap. Dried herbs and fresh herbs need to be added to recipes at different stages. The former is best to be added during the cooking process, as it allows the flavors to infuse into the whole dish. However, wait until the end of the recipe to include the fresh herbs, so they maintain their brightness and vibrant color. Sometimes, dishes benefit most from a sprinkling of fresh herbs right before serving.

Dried herbs are ideal in soups, stews, and cooked sauces, as well as in a spice rub. Use fresh herbs when making salad dressings and salsas or if you just want a pop of color as a garnish when serving a dish. Before you sprinkle the dried herbs into a dish, crush the flakes into the palm of your hand. This helps release the aromatic oils of the herbs, which will boost the flavor intensity of your meal.

Storing Dried vs. Fresh Herbs

Dried herbs will lose their potency quickly if not stored properly. Keep in airtight jars or containers in a drawer or cabinet. After being kept in optimal storage for a year, the herbs will begin to deteriorate. Toss them and purchase new jars. If you're not sure how long a jar of herbs has been in storage, open up the jar and give it a sniff to make sure they still have potency. If there's no significant aroma in the jar, it's certainly not going to add the flavor that you want during the cooking process.

Store fresh herbs similarly to how you store flowers. Use a glass or jar with a few inches of cold water, covered with a plastic bag if you choose, and place them in the refrigerator.

Tips

Fresh herbs can be as much as 80 percent water. When dried, they lose all of that water and become more potent than their fresh versions. The one exception to this rule is a bay leaf, which loses a lot of its flavor when dried. If replacing a fresh bay leaf with dried, increase the quantity to two dried bay leaves.
Dried herbs don't taste quite the same as fresh herbs, as their taste can be slightly bitter.
Some herbs just aren't very good when dried, such as parsley. During the drying process, the parsley loses most of its flavor. Other herbs to avoid buying dry are cilantro, chives, and chervil, also known as French parsley. However, you can purchase dehydrated versions of these herbs that will work in a pinch, although it might be a better idea to substitute the fresh herbs with another variety.