{"id":12700,"date":"2019-06-18T10:45:54","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T14:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/?p=12700"},"modified":"2023-12-03T13:38:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T17:38:01","slug":"dehydrate-onions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/dehydrate-onions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Dehydrate Onions for Food Storage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are your onions getting soft? It is easy to dehydrate onions so they last longer for food storage. Turn your onions into dehydrated onion flakes, minced dried onions, and onion powder.<\/p>\n

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I grow a lot of storage onions<\/a> that keep in my cool basement for winter. Sometimes, we don’t use them up before they begin to get soft. The good news is onions can last even longer by turning them into dehydrated onions before they spoil.<\/p>\n

Ways to Use Dehydrated Onions<\/h2>\n

Substituting dried onions is the perfect shortcut in the kitchen if you don’t have time for peeling and chopping onions. Here are some ways you can use dried onion flakes, dried minced onions, and onion powder in everyday cooking:<\/p>\n

Add dried onions directly to foods:<\/strong> Add dried onion flakes and minced onions directly to simmering soups and stews. They will reconstitute with the liquid and add onion flavor.<\/p>\n

Use onion powder in dry herb mixes:<\/strong> Powdered onion dissolves and combines easily to provide flavor. Onion powder also combines easily with dried herbs and spices to make a shelf-stable mix, such as DIY herb blends, taco seasoning<\/a>, and rub mixes.<\/p>\n

Rehydrate dried onions:<\/strong> Dehydrated minced onions can be reconstituted and used like chopped onions in raw and cooked foods. To rehydrate onions, soak one part dried minced onions in two parts warm water until soft, about 20 minutes. Then proceed with your recipe.<\/p>\n

Tips for Dehydrating Onions<\/h2>\n

Dehydrating food is a great way to preserve your garden harvest. The process of drying fruits and vegetables removes moisture so the food doesn’t spoil when stored at room temperature. Dried food takes up less space in storage and can be easily reconstituted without losing flavor. Here are some tips for dehydrating onions:<\/p>\n

Use a food dehydrator<\/h3>\n

A food dehydrator is an essential kitchen tool that makes preserving easy. It dries food by blowing warm air through drying screens. For small batch drying, this stackable food dehydrator<\/a> will serve you well. For larger-scale food dehydrating, consider one of the Excalibur dehydrators<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dehydrate onions outside<\/h3>\n

The smell of drying onions is very strong and will linger in your home for a long time. Instead of smelling up your house, place your dehydrator outside on your porch, or in a shed or garage with the door open.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the smell of onions will linger on your dehydrator trays. To remove the odor from your dehydrator trays, wash well in warm, soapy water and rub with lemon juice. Rinse and air dry. Give it a sniff test, and repeat if necessary.<\/p>\n

Cut the onions evenly for drying<\/h3>\n

Similar sized pieces will dry at the same rate. Slice your onions into even pieces before layering on the dehydrator trays.<\/p>\n

If you are handling a large amount of onions, consider using the slicer blade on your food processor to slice the onions. Simply cut them into wedges to fit the feeder tube, and process the onions through the slicing blade.<\/p>\n

Slice onions without crying<\/h3>\n

Cutting onions breaks open microscopic cells of enzymes that turn into volatile gasses as they escape. Your eyes produce tears in order to dilute and flush the substance away from your eyes. Here are tips to cutting onions without crying:<\/p>\n