Dehydrating Broccoli for Food Storage is a great way to preserve your fresh broccoli. Make dehydrated broccoli as a dry snack even your kids would love.
Dehydrating Raw Vegetables
To dehydrate raw vegetables is a simple and effective way to preserve them for long-term storage. The process does not involve cooking, meaning that the nutritional value of the vegetables remains almost unchanged.
It is great to dry your veggies in our clean cooking or as a great snack between meals.
Our chicken jerky, broccoli chips, and dry cucumbers are perfect for kids’ lunches or whenever we go on trips.
On the other side, dehydrated mushrooms, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated tomatoes and onion flakes are always in my pantry for flavoring dishes.
Whatever dehydrated vegetables you are going to make, they will for sure add value to your kitchen. And if you do not own a dehydrator, you can use the oven as I did with our baked radish chips.
Broccoli Nutrition
It is an incredibly nutritious vegetable. Broccoli is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to improve your health. It contains high amounts of vitamins C and K, folate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other essential nutrients.
It also has a good amount of dietary high-fiber, which can help support healthy digestion. Additionally, broccoli is low-calorie and low in fat but high in protein, making it a great addition to any diet. Overall, broccoli is still a highly nutritious food that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
Is Dehydrated Broccoli Good For You?
Dehydrated broccoli is an excellent source of nutrition and can be a great addition to your diet. It can be used as a snack or added to salads, soups, and casseroles for a nutritional boost. In addition to its health benefits, dehydration will preserve broccoli for long-term food storage.
Dehydrated broccoli also makes a great side dish or can be used as an ingredient in many recipes. Dehydrated broccoli is a good choice for anyone looking for healthy snacks or ingredients that are convenient and easy to prepare.
Does Eating Broccoli Dry Gives You the Same Nutrition as Fresh One?
There is no doubt about eating fresh vegetables whenever possible. It is the best source of vitamins, but there are times when you just need other options. Buying fresh broccoli in the shop, which has been on the shelf for weeks, vs dehydrating homegrown broccoli has much more advantages.
It gives you a different nutrition if we compare bio-quality dry broccoli versus bio-quality fresh broccoli. Fresh broccoli contains more vitamins and minerals than desiccated broccoli. Additionally, fresh broccoli contains more fiber and water, which helps your body absorb the nutrients it needs.
How To dry Broccoli and Cauliflower
There are a few ways to dry cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or cabbage.
- Sun – drying your veggies in the shaded area of your garden
- Oven – drying at the lowest temperature on a parchment paper covered drying tray inside your oven. Make sure you turn the florets on the oven tray toward the end of drying.
- Air Drying – letting your veggies desiccate naturally in your kitchen, in the winter on a heater depending on the humidity of your house and the moisture of the vegetable.
- Air frying – some of the new Air Fryers already have the option to dry.
- Dehydrating – the easiest and most effective way to dry your food using dehydrators
Our process involves cutting the vegetables into thin slices and placing them in a food dehydrator for several hours. During dehydration, the moisture content of the vegetables is reduced, resulting in a crunchy texture.
Make Dehydrated Broccoli for Camping
One great way to use dehydrated broccoli is for camping days. It is light in weight, lasts much longer, and has half the volume as a fresh one.
While camping, it is excellent to eat as a snack and perfect for making meals over the fire.
Does Broccoli Dehydrate Well for Food Storage?
Yes, broccoli can be dehydrated and stored for later use. The dehydration removes most of the broccoli’s moisture, preventing bacteria and mold growth. Dehydrating broccoli is a great way to preserve it for extended periods.
Recipe For Dehydrating Broccoli
I will guide you through some easy steps to dry your broccoli for storage or as a snack using a dehydrator.
Those steps are straightforward and do not involves much work.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Dehydrator
Ingredients:
- Fresh broccoli
- Water
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR DRYING YOUR BROCCOLI USING A DEHYDRATOR
First Step: Prepare your Broccoli
Try to get as fresh and bio quality of your broccoli as possible. Homegrown is the best, but if not, farmers’ markets are the second best choice and a good source.
The better your broccoli’s quality, the more vitamins and minerals will stay after drying it.
Thoroughly wash the broccoli. While cleaning the broccoli, discharge all of the broccoli leaves. Cut into small florets. Keep the stems as long as possible because those are the ones that give you the best flavor.
Place green florets onto a colander or sieve and wash once gained. Fully dry.
Once you have segmented your broccoli, keep the stems. You can even use those and let me tell you, they are the tastiest of all.
Second Step: Layer and Dehydrate
Once your broccoli florets and stems are prepared, layer them onto dehydrator trays. Arrange the broccoli, so they do not overlap, as this will prolong the drying process by hours.
When the trays are filled, place them onto a dehydrator and close the lid.
Set the temperature to 70 degrees Celsius or 160 degrees Fahrenheit and let the broccoli dehydrate for 6 to 7 hours.
If you have more on the tray, swap them every 2 hours for uniformed drying.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Quality – get the best quality fresh vegetables to dry. In return, more vitamins will stay after drying.
- Stems – keep all the broccoli stems on, as those are the tastiest as a snack after drying.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How To Use Dehydrated Broccoli?
To use in recipes, rehydrate the broccoli by soaking it in hot water for 15-20 minutes until soft and pliable.
Drain off any excess liquid before using it in your favorite recipes, such as soups and stews, stir-fries, casseroles, and more.
Can I Dehydrate Broccoli Without Blanching?
Yes, you can dehydrate broccoli without blanching. However, it is generally recommended to blanch broccoli before dehydrating them to preserve the color and texture, its nutritional value and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Can I Dehydrate Frozen Broccoli?
Yes, you can dehydrate frozen broccoli. To do so, thaw the broccoli and cut it into small pieces. Dry using a kitchen towel and follow our instructions further.
Frozen broccoli’s drying time might be prolonged for up to 8-12 hours.
How To De-clump Frozen Broccoli?
If you are in a hurry and need more time to let the frozen broccoli thaw on its own, you can de-clump it with these easy tips.
First, fill up the freezer bag with hot water a few times.
Place the frozen broccoli in a large bowl. Let it soak in hot water for 5 minutes or until the broccoli pieces separate. Use a spoon to break up clumps that are still stuck together. Add more warm water to help separate them. Once the broccoli has been de-clumped, drain the excess water and place it on a paper towel to dry.
How To Condition Dehydrated Broccoli Before Storing?
It is essential to condition your dried vegetables before storing them to give them the most extended shelf life.
Conditioning involves about seven days.
Fill up your glass jars with broccoli to 3/4 to let the air to circulate. Close the jar fully and keep the containers in the kitchen or pantry. Every day, take the glass jar and gently shake it. Check if all pieces are fully dry and if the is no mold forming. If you see anything unusual, discharge those pieces.
Once dehydrated, store dried florets in an airtight container or canning jars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Dehydrated broccoli will last for up to 12 months in an airtight container.You can also grind them into a fine powder and use them in your homemade seasonings.
How To Rehydrate Dried Broccoli?
To rehydrate dried broccoli, soak the florets in cold water. Allow the dried broccoli to soak for 10 minutes before draining and rinsing. After rinsing the soaked broccoli, place it in a pot of boiling water and cook for 5-7 minutes or until it is tender.
Other Dehydrated Food
- Dry cucumbers
- Strawberry chips
- Powdered mushrooms
- Dry blueberries
- Dry onions
- Raspberry chips
- Chicken jerky
- Dry mushrooms
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Dehydrating Broccoli for Food Storage
Equipment
Ingredients
- Fresh Broccoli
- Water
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the broccoli. While cleaning the broccoli, discharge all of the broccoli leaves. Cut into small florets. Keep the stems as long as possible because those are the ones that give you the best flavor. Place green florets onto a colander or sieve and wash once gained. Fully dry.
- Once your broccoli florets and stems are prepared, layer them onto dehydrator trays. Arrange the broccoli, so they do not overlap, as this will prolong the drying process by hours. When the trays are filled, place them onto a dehydrator and close the lid. Set the temperature to 70 degrees Celsius or 160 degrees Fahrenheit and let the broccoli dehydrate for 6 to 7 hours.
Video
Notes
- Quality – get the best quality fresh vegetables to dry. In return, more vitamins will stay after drying.
- Stems – keep all the broccoli stems on, as those are the tastiest as a snack after drying.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
More Dehydrated Recipes
Try out delicious and healthy recipes you can make with your dehydrator. We’ve got tasty fruit snacks and crunchy veggie chips that bring out the natural goodness in every bite. These treats are simple and good for you. Give them a try to make clean eating easy and yummy!
Can you slice the remaining stem and make broccoli chips? Would you recommend trimming the thick skin off first?
The stems are actually the best in taste. At leas for me. So, yes, for sure use them also. I would for sure peel the outer skin.
Such a great idea for a veggie snack, especially the stems! I’ve been looking for more veggie snack ideas for my kids and I’m definitely adding this to my list!
Those stems are my favorite.
I haven’t done this method before and surprisingly the procedure was very easy. And the broccoli stayed crispy and flavorful that my kids are obsessed. It’s such a great alternative to store-bought chips.
Stems are the best in my opinion.
Just tried dehydrating broccoli using the oven method and it turned out good. The broccoli turned out crispy and flavorful which I loved. Now I’ve got a supply of nutritious veggies on hand whenever I need them. It was worth giving it a try!
Glad you liked it. I have them in the jar for whenever needed.
I tried making this following your tips, and it turned out great! It’s now my go-to for nutritious snacks and adds a healthy touch to my favorite recipes. I am going to try the others too. Thanks for sharing.
For sure perfect for snacking. My favorite are stems. They are just so delieious.
I never tried to dehydrate broccoli, and thought to try it out, and I have to say, it’s delicious. My kids are loving it, I love it. It’s a win. Thanks for the instructions.
Used my oven and it dried perfectly and had a nice crunch. I’m impressed! Now I have a pack of nutritious snacks ready to enjoy! I’m also excited to use these dried broccoli in different recipes.
It always great to have your pantry filled with homemade staples.
So good!
Happy you liked it.