Step 2: Wash and Dry the Leaves Once you've harvested ... but don’t grind them into a fine powder. Store the crushed basil in an airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dark place.

Drying time: Dry the basil leaves for 12-24 hours, checking for dryness periodically. Store properly: Once completely dry, store the dried basil in glass jars or spice jars to maintain freshness ...