What To Do With All That Oregano: Harvesting, Using, and Enjoying Your Bounty

What To Do With an Abundance of Oregano

If you find yourself with more oregano than you know what to do with, you’re not alone. Oregano is famous for its hearty growth and aromatic leaves, beloved in cuisines worldwide. Whether your oregano plants have taken over a sunny garden patch, spilled over a container, or you simply bought too much at the market, there are countless ways to enjoy, preserve, and maximize your harvest.

Oregano: The Mediterranean Powerhouse

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean. Prized for its spicy, pungent flavor and fragrance, this herb is a staple in Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Oregano’s robust taste comes alive even more when dried, making it unique among culinary herbs. Its compact, drought-tolerant growth habit also makes it a favorite among gardeners of all levels.

How to Grow and Harvest Oregano

Growing oregano couldn’t be simpler. Once you establish a plant, it will reward you for years with vigorous growth and minimal maintenance.

• Light: Likes full sun—at least six hours a day.
• Soil: Prefers loamy, well-draining soil to prevent root rot and disease.
• Water: Drought-tolerant; water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
• Harvest: Pinch stems back when they are about 4 inches tall to encourage bushiness.
• Best flavor: Pick leaves just before flower buds open for maximum aroma and taste.

Oregano is also an excellent companion plant, helping to repel pests from vegetables such as beans and broccoli, and attracting pollinators with its pink or white summer flower clusters.

Harvesting Tips

• Harvest during the morning, after the dew dries but before the sun is too hot.
• Snip entire sprigs or just pluck individual leaves as needed.
• The younger, pre-flowering leaves are most aromatic and flavorful.
• Frequent harvesting encourages a bushier plant and healthier regrowth.

Oregano vs Marjoram: Know Your Herbs

Oregano and marjoram are closely related and sometimes confused. Here’s how they differ:

Preserving Your Oregano Harvest

Dried oregano is legendary for its intense, concentrated flavor. Preserving your own ensures you have the freshest herb possible year-round.

Drying Oregano

1. Gather healthy oregano stems and rinse gently.
2. Pat dry, then tie stems in small loose bunches with kitchen twine.
3. Hang bunches upside-down in a warm, airy place out of direct sunlight.
4. After 1-2 weeks, when the leaves are fully dry and crumbly, strip them from the stems.
5. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet for up to a year.

Alternatively, you can dry oregano in a dehydrator set to low heat or on a screen in a dry climate. Avoid oven drying, as high temperatures can destroy flavor compounds.

Freezing Oregano

• Chop leaves and pack into ice cube trays. Cover with olive oil or water, then freeze.
• Alternatively, lay washed leaves on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to airtight bags.

Frozen oregano won’t have the same texture, but its flavor will be intact—perfect for sauces, soups, and stews.

Oregano in the Kitchen: Culinary Ideas

Oregano’s potency means a little goes a long way. Here’s how to use it:

Fresh Oregano

• Add to salads: Combine with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and olives for Greek salad.
• Chop into salsas: Gives Mexican salsas a savory note.
• Toss on roasted vegetables: Especially delicious with squash, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes.
• Use as a pizza topping: Scatter fresh leaves onto a hot pizza for fragrance.
• Infuse oils: Steep sprigs in olive oil for a week and strain for a homemade oregano oil.

Dried Oregano

• Pizza and pasta sauces: Essential for a classic Italian flavor.
• Rub for grilled meats: Mix with salt, garlic powder, pepper, and chili flakes for marinades or dry rubs.
• Bread and flatbreads: Sprinkle into doughs or atop focaccia and pita.
• Soups and stews: Add early in cooking for the flavors to infuse deeply.

Oregano-Heavy Recipes to Try

• Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with lemon, garlic, and oregano
• Italian Marinara Sauce—the secret is the oregano!
• Oregano Roasted Potatoes
• Turkish-style Oregano Chicken Kebabs
• Savory Cheese and Oregano Muffins

Creative Uses for Extra Oregano

Oregano isn’t limited to the kitchen. Its scent, pest-deterring properties, and medicinal reputation make it versatile throughout the home and garden.

Herbal Teas and Infusions

• Steep a handful of fresh or dried leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
• Add honey and lemon for a soothing, aromatic herbal tea.

Natural Pest Repellant

• Lay oregano sprigs among beans or brassicas to repel common pests.
• Drop leaves in pet bedding and closets to help deter insects.

Aromatic Bouquets and Wreaths

• Mix oregano stems with other herbs and wildflowers for long-lasting, fragrant bouquets.
• Craft dried wreaths for the kitchen or entryway—the scent is fresh and invigorating.

Infused Vinegars

• Pack a clean jar with fresh oregano, cover with white wine vinegar, and steep for several weeks.
• Strain and use in salad dressings or marinades.

Growing Oregano Indoors

If your harvest is still outpacing your cooking, bring oregano inside for fresh flavor year-round.

• Choose a sunny windowsill with 6+ hours of direct light.
• Use a well-draining potting mix and a terra cotta or plastic pot with drainage holes.
• Allow the soil surface to dry out between waterings to mimic Mediterranean conditions.
• Pinch often to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Indoor oregano can be snipped as needed and will continue to thrive for months inside, especially with regular feeding and attention.

Common Challenges and Solutions

• Leggy plants: Pinch back regularly and ensure they get enough direct sun.
• Powdery mildew or root rot: Avoid overhead watering and keep leaves dry; improve air circulation.
• Brown or spotted leaves: Remove affected foliage to encourage healthy regrowth.
• Poor flavor: Harvest just before the plant blooms for the most concentrated oils and taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I harvest oregano before or after flowering?

A: Oregano’s leaves are most flavorful just before the flowers open. This is the ideal time for harvesting leaves to enjoy fresh or to dry for storage.

Q: Can I eat ornamental oregano?

A: Ornamental oreganos are beautiful and bee-friendly but are bred for appearance, not taste. While not toxic, their flavor is often bland or bitter compared to culinary varieties.

Q: Does oregano come back every year?

A: Yes, culinary oregano is a hardy perennial in most climates and will re-emerge every spring, often spreading enthusiastically in garden beds.

Q: Is fresh oregano better than dried?

A: Both have their uses! Fresh oregano works well as a finishing touch, while dried oregano is perfect for long-simmered sauces, soups, and stews where you want deeper, more pronounced flavor.

Q: How do I store extra dried oregano?

A: Store dried oregano in an airtight jar, away from light, heat, and humidity. It will stay freshest for six to twelve months, with potency fading gradually after that.

Conclusion

With its strong flavor, fragrant foliage, and robust growth habit, oregano is a herb worth knowing—whether you’re cooking, crafting, or looking to support pollinators. With these tips for preserving, preparing, and enjoying your bounty, you’ll never run out of ways to use up every last leaf.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta