1. Home
2. How To Dehydrate Vegetables

share!FacebookPinterestRedditXMessengerWhatsAppTumblr

How to Dehydrate Vegetables

by: Susan Gast / Author, Blogger at Easy Food Dehydrating, Beesville Books, and SupaBees music!

Here's how to dehydrate vegetables - the easy way. Listed below are our top choices... and I keep adding more too, so bookmark this page!

Click any of the images below and read all about that individual vegetable and how to dehydrate the veggie properly.

Whether you're looking to dehydrate frozen vegetables, or fresh from the grocery store—or straight from your garden—it's an easy and convenient way to preserve your harvest.

Also you have healthy snacks on hand—all year round!

Here's a guide that shows you how many veggies to buy to fill a 4-tray dehydrator.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Dehydrate Vegetables - 3 Ways

This is where it all starts when dehydrating vegetables for snacks or storage:

Three methods can be used to dehydrate vegetables: air drying, solar drying, and using a dehydrator.

Air Drying: This is the oldest and most traditional method of drying foods. Air-dry indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate and time of year.

Solar Drying: Solar drying is a great way to dehydrate food if you live in a warm, dry climate. Solar dryers can be purchased or made at home.

Dehydrator: These are electric appliances that are specifically designed for drying foods.

They come in a variety of sizes and types, so it is important to choose one that will fit your needs (such as counter space, family size).

Call me biased but electric dehydrators are the way to go for ease of use and overall consistency in drying.

Can You Dehydrate Frozen Vegetables, Such as Green Beans?

Yes! Green beans are a great choice! It is often easier to dehydrate the frozen variety than fresh ones.

Frozen vegetables are already blanched (a process of scalding in boiling water or steam to kill enzymes. More about blanching later on), so they do not need to be blanched before dehydrating.

Simply place them on the trays and dehydrate them according to the vegetable's individual dehydrating steps listed inside my top vegetables (click on their links in the red boxes at the top of the page to learn all about that particular vegetable).

Frozen veggies take less time to dehydrate than fresh ones. Start checking for 'doneness' after about 6 hours for most vegetables.

Using Frozen Veggies? Got Clumps?

Before opening your bag of frozen veggies, throw the bag onto your kitchen countertop a few times to loosen any frozen clumps.

After doing that and you sill have a few persistent clumps, run the clump under cold water for a few seconds and that will make it easy to break apart.

Or even easier than that? Leave the bag of frozen vegetables unopened in your kitchen sink for about an hour and they'll be good for slicing, if necessary (for tallish items like full cauliflower or broccoli florets that might not fit between your dehydrator trays).

How to Blanch Vegetables Ready for Dehydrating

Some vegetables should be blanched before dehydrating. Learn more about blanching here. Blanching also helps to retain the color and flavor of the vegetables.

Leafy greens and cabbage do not need to be blanched before dehydrating.

Prep Now, Save Time Later!

After you've brought your fresh veggies indoors, wash, slice and dice, and dehydrate them right away.

Trust me, this saves you valuable prep time in the kitchen at mealtimes later on!

With everything ready to go, it's easy to cook up a very satisfying vegetable soup in less than ten minutes tops!

Using Lemon Juice (or Ascorbic Acid)

When dehydrating vegetables, like fresh carrots, they need a generous spray of lemon juice. We use lemon juice as an acceptable substitute for ascorbic acid, which is used by professional dehydrating plants. Lemon juice works wonderfully!

Two main reasons for spraying with lemon juice are to prevent them from browning. This is known as 'oxidation.'

The second reason for spraying with lemon juice is it helps prevent bacterial growth during drying.

Dehydrated Veggies are Dry When...

... they don't stick together!

After dehydrating your veggies and you think they are dry enough—place them in airtight bags (such as Ziploc bags). Let them hang around your kitchen for a day or overnight. This step is known as conditioning.

People often miss this important step when learning how to dehydrate vegetables. This step enables the air and any moisture in the bag to distribute evenly—so that the dehydrated vegetables will be ready for vacuum sealing!

This is step four of the Six Steps. Learn the Six Simple Steps by opting into our free special seven-part mini-series.

The shelf life of dried food varies on your method of storing. To learn more about how to safely store your goodies, read all about Safe Food Storage here.

You'll learn about vacuum-sealer bags, Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and more. Using oxygen absorbers greatly increases the shelf life.

For long-term storage, follow our guide at the above link (the "Safe Food Storage" red link).

Dehydrating Vegetables for Backpacking

Once you've mastered the art of dehydrating vegetables, you'll appreciate that it is a fun and easy way to add healthy snacks to your backpacking menu. Not only are dried vegetables lightweight and easy to store, but they also pack a powerful punch of nutrients.

When selecting vegetables for dehydration, look for firm, ripe produce that is free from blemishes or damage. Wash the vegetables thoroughly, then slice them into thin pieces that will dry evenly.

For best results, dehydrate the vegetables in a food dehydrator or oven set to a low temperature. Once dried, the vegetables can be stored properly in an airtight container and enjoyed as needed.

Dried veggies make a great backpacking snack that is both nutritious and delicious. Also, check out Chef Glenn's backpacking tips!

Are Dehydrated Vegetables Good for Dogs?

Dried vegetables are a great way to add nutrition and variety to your dog's diet. Dogs love the taste, and dried veggies are a healthy and nutritious treat.

ONE CAVEAT: NO ONIONS, ever. They're poisonous to dogs.

Dehydrated vegetables are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories and fat, and they are a healthy snack for dogs.

You can dehydrate your own vegetables at home, or you can purchase dehydrated vegetables from a pet store.

Use A Dehydrator Designed for Dehydrating Food

When dehydrating vegetables, use a dehydrator! Dry vegetables by placing them in the dehydrator on a low setting for 12-24 hours.

Once the vegetables are dehydrated, add them to your dog's food or give them as a treat. Personally, I rehydrate them first. Dehydrated vegetables are a healthy and delicious way to add nutrition and variety to your dog's diet, plus is easier on their teeth and gums if you rehydrate them first. This is a great way to add some extra nutrients and fiber to your dog's diet.

If you are more "hands-on," you may want to try making your own dog food by reading how to Make Your Own Dog Food here.

How Long Do Dehydrated Vegetables Last?

It's interesting to note that dried vegetables won't last as long as dried fruits. Why is that?

Fruits naturally contain more sugar and acids, which act as preservatives inside them.

However, when you learn to dehydrate vegetables properly and also store them the right way after dehydrating, they last for months, if not years - again - if you dry them the right way.

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