How to Dehydrate Onions

Susan Gast, founder of Easy Food Dehydrating

by: Susan Gast / Author, Food Dehydrating Fan and Blogger at Beesville Books, and Music Maker SupaBees!

So you want to know how to dehydrate onions... well, you're at the right place!

Onions in a pile

Dehydrating onions can be a tearful job, so please run your range hood vent (if you have one) and place your dehydrator as close to the vent hood as possible.

Doing so will help enormously to take the onion odor out of the kitchen and away from your pets' sensitive noses and nervous systems— onion aroma is poisonous to them!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you dry minced onions?

Yes, you can dehydrate minced onions! Here are some pointers for doing it successfully:

  • Choose fresh, firm onions and chop/mince them finely for the dehydration process. Any type works well.
  • Spread minced onions thinly and evenly over dehydrator trays, no more than 1/4 inch layer.
  • Dehydrate at a low temperature around 125°F for 4-7 hours. Stir onions and rotate trays periodically for even drying.
  • Onions are fully dehydrated when pieces have significantly shrunken in size and moisture, are dry and brittle to the touch, and have a very deep brown color.
  • Allow the dried minced onions to cool fully before storing them in airtight jars or containers. Store in a cool, dark place.
  • To use, soak in warm water for 15-30 minutes to rehydrate or incorporate them dried into sauces, soups, marinades, and more.

Pay attention as onions can burn quickly if the temperature is too high. When properly dehydrated and stored, dried minced onions retain all their savory flavor punch for up to 1-2 years.

How do you dry green onions? (AKA Scallions).

Green onions, also known as scallions, are an onion variety with long, green stalks and a slender white bulb. To dry them:

  • Clean green onions and trim off roots and any blemished tops. Separate the white and green portions.
  • Slice the white portions, then spread them in a thin layer on dehydrator trays. Dehydrate for 4-6 hours at 125°F.
  • For the greens, stack leaves and slice into thin strips. Spread out without overlapping over trays. Dehydrate for 2-3 hours.
  • Check onions periodically and flip over during dehydration. They should become very lightweight and brittle when fully dried.
  • Store dried white and green onion portions separately in airtight containers in a cool dark place for up to 1 year. Use Mason jars or food vacuum-sealer bags.
  • Rehydrate before use by placing pieces in water for about ten minutes. Then cook in soups, broths, etc.

Dried green onions lend great flavor and crunch when rehydrated. Enjoy their convenience and versatility all year long! Adjust dehydrating times as needed based on humidity.

Dehydrate onions food dehydrator?

This question/keyword search is one of the most-asked questions. Yes, you can dehydrate onions on a dehydrator - slice your onions into rings, or into small diced pieces. Or flake it apart after cutting into "segments." Keep reading this page to learn more!


A person with dehydrator, fresh food

Onion Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, followed by Vitamin C. There are trace amounts of Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, vitamin B6, Riboflavin, and Thiamine.

MINERALS: Potassium, followed by Phosphorus, and Calcium. There are trace amounts of Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Selenium too.

Onions also contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Air Ventilation Warning

You may also wish to have your windows OPEN or put the A/C on
while you're dehydrating onions or garlic... as the powerful odor
can certainly circulate throughout the entire house!

If you ABSOLUTELY LOVE onions and garlic,
it's not such a bad thing, but if you don't...
just sayin'!

Air Ventilation
Warning

You may also wish to have your
windows OPEN or put the A/C on
while you're dehydrating onions or
garlic... as the powerful odor
can certainly circulate throughout
the entire house!

If you ABSOLUTELY LOVE onions
 & garlic, it's not such a bad thing,
but if you don't... just sayin'!

While onions might smell delicious to us humans, remember this:

Heed The Air Ventilation
Warning Above!

Please be careful when dehydrating onions.
Keep pets away as the onion odor is poisonous to them,
as I mentioned at the top of this page.

Heed The
Air Ventilation
Warning Above!

Please be careful when dehydrating onions. Keep pets away as the onion odor is poisonous to them, as I mentioned at the top of this page.

How to Dehydrate Onions ~ Fresh or Frozen!

Let's get busy learning how to dehydrate onions - fresh or frozen!

If using frozen onions, ignore step 1.

  1. Peel and slice into 3/8" slices (or rings or diced).
  2. Arrange on your food dehydrator trays. Make sure they don't overlap.
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).

Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

  • Dehydrated onion will be leathery when fully dried.
  • Drying time: between 4-12 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.
Dehydrated white onion on a Nesco dehydrator tray

This very versatile veggie is great for tons of recipes: Soups and stews, you name it!

And you can grind onions up for use as onion powder!

When slicing and chopping up your onions, you might first want to invest in a good knife...

Cutluxe 8
Cutluxe 8" Chef Knife, Full Tang

Begin by Using a Good Sharp Knife by Cutluxe!

Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.

I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

...or you may wish to treat yourself to this awesome slicer like I did:

SUPMAKIN 5-in-1 Mandoline Slicer
SUPMAKIN 5-in-1 Mandoline Slicer

SUPMAKIN Slicer + Dicer Mandoline ~ OnceForAll Brand

French fry cutter, vegetable chopper, vegetable slicer cutter, potato slicer, chopper for kitchen meal prep.

A multi-function mandoline that I just couldn't resist getting!

Spare Trays? Dry Some Garlic Too!

NOTE: When dehydrating this pungent veggie, you might dehydrate some garlic at the same time if you've got a spare dehydrator tray or two available!

Don't mix the two with, say, apples, when dehydrating—unless you WANT your APPLES to taste like ONIONS or GARLIC!!

Onion rings ready to dehydrate
Dried onion rings in a bowl

Mj from Michigan Shared This:

"I noticed that my white onions did not turn as brown as my Vidalia onions, did a little research, and found that it might have to do with the sweeter onion, which makes sense.

I also noticed that the Vidalia seems sweeter dried than fresh, which is fine with me.

I am so very happy that I found a great deal on them and dried close to 50 lbs of them this spring. I did do many batches outside when I saw that the humidity was very low, starting them outside in the morning.

By night the smell was almost gone when I finished them in the home."

Different Types of Onions

Here's a cool post on ten different types of onions and it shows what the best onion is to use in a specific dish.

Four varieties of onions

There are many different types of onions, but the most common type is the white onion. Other popular types of onions include the red onion, the yellow onion, and the sweet onion. Each type of onion has its own unique flavor, so be sure to try a few different kinds to find your favorite.

Onions can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks. However, if you plan on storing them for longer, they can be stored in the fridge for up to eight weeks. Be sure to keep them in a paper bag or a mesh bag so they can breathe.

Onions can be used in a variety of recipes, or they can be eaten raw.

When cooked, onions become sweeter and more mild.

So, whether you like them raw or cooked, there’s an onion out there for you!

Best Areas for Growing Onions

Onions grow best in areas with full sun and well-drained soil. They are a cold-weather crop, so they do not do well in warm or damp conditions. Additionally, onions need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.

When is the Best Time to Plant Onions?

Onions can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. They are typically ready to harvest in late summer or early fall.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and learn how to dehydrate onions. Remember to run the range vent hood, or at the very least, crank open a few windows! Keep pets away from onion odors.

Don't forget to get your free "Six Simple Steps" eBook where I share how to dehydrate food safely!


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