Go-to Guide on Dehydrating Broccoli for Food Storage 

This is your go-to guide on dehydrating broccoli the easy way. You will learn multiple methods on how to dehydrate broccoli for food storage.

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Dehydrating vegetables that are locally grown or from your local supermarket is an efficient way to preserve them for future use

Your food will last longer if you dehydrate it, and it will provide your pantry with healthy and nutritional food.

Dehydrating consists of easy steps so it’s a great option if you’ve never done it before.

Since there are different ways to dry vegetables, like broccoli, we will go through each type.

Not only will we teach you how to dehydrate your broccoli for the best results so it can last you longer.

I will also show you what to do with dehydrated broccoli as well as how to manage it.

Table of Contents Dehydrating Broccoli

You can preserve the nutritional value of broccoli if you dehydrate it and you’ll never regret taking the time to prepare dry vegetables that you can use for many dishes later.,

The best part of dehydrating food is to see how cool it is to preserve food and save all your hard work, especially if you grew it yourself.

If you haven’t dehydrated broccoli before, here are some great reasons why you should start.

Why should you dehydrate broccoli?

• You will get amazing flavor after removing all water content from your dehydrated food. 
• Has health benefits since you will have 100% nutritionally dense food at your fingertips.
• Save you money since it is cheaper to dehydrate food yourself instead of buying dehydrated foods at a store.
• It is so easy and simple to do. Why wouldn’t you wanna do it?
• It won’t take up much space in your kitchen.
• Dehydrating can provide you with healthy snacks on the go!
• Involve your kids to help you and spend some quality time with them.
• You can hide this dehydrated veggie in meals and no one will know 

Supplies

Food dehydrator

These days you can find a dehydrator at any price point. Walmart carries dehydrators, and of course, Amazon and other big box stores.

Dehydrators are easy to use and you can pretty much find them anywhere.

For a beginner, I recommend the Magic Mill dehydrator. Check out my Magic Mill dehydrator review and learn all about it and how easy it is to use.

Ingredients

Broccoli

It depends on how much broccoli you want to dehydrate, lbs of broccoli, or just a little.

As long as you pick broccoli at it’s peak stage when you’re at the grocery store or picking it from your garden when it’s fully grown.

Make sure your broccoli does not look moldy, decayed, bruised, or discolored.

Dehydrating broccoli tips

If you pick broccoli that is in the best shape, you will have amazing dehydrating broccoli.

Any defects on your broccoli will show when dehydrated so make sure you pick good quality broccoli.

If you can snap your broccoli and then hear a snapping sound, and it is brittle or sounds crisp then it is completely bone dry and ready to store. 

Dehydrating Broccoli in a Dehydrator Step-ByStep

First, you have to prepare your broccoli before dehydrating. 

If your broccoli is not already cut up, make sure you cut it into bite-size pieces.

Boil salt water in a large pot on your stovetop.

Use a large bowl, place ice water in it, and set it to the side.

Add your broccoli to the boiling water for three minutes.

Take out your broccoli from the hot boiling water and place it in the cold ice water for three minutes

Use a colander to remove your broccoli and place it on a dry surface.

Pat dry broccoli so it can start air drying then place it on one single layer on your dehydrator trays.

Place all your dehydrated trays in a dehydrator and set your temperature to 113 degrees Fahrenheit to 140°F for 8-12 hours.

Depending on the type of dehydrator you use, drying times may vary.

After the drying process is done, place your dried vegetables in an airtight container.

Dehydrate broccoli in the oven

Process your broccoli by cutting it up into florets and blanching it. 

Spread all your broccoli in one layer on a baking sheet.

Set your oven to the lowest setting no higher than 150°F for about 12 to 15 hours depending on the strength of your oven.

Be sure to set your temperature between 113 and 140°F.

Check on your broccoli periodically to prevent burning and wait till it is all bone dry. 

Freeze-dry Broccoli 

Freeze dryers can be expensive, but if you have one, you can most definitely freeze-dry your broccoli. 

If you freeze dry dry broccoli, the shelf life will extend extremely to almost up to 25 years in storage in mylar bags.

Freeze dry and broccoli can take up to 24 hours to dry.

Below is a great video on how to freeze dry broccoli.

Can you Dehydrate Broccoli that’s Frozen? 

You can dehydrate broccoli that is frozen, it is less work doing it this way.

When dehydrating, frozen broccoli you do not have to blanch broccoli because it is already processed for you.

All you have to do is open the bag of frozen broccoli and lay it out on your dehydrator trays.

 Set your temperature to 113 degrees Fahrenheit to 140°F for 12-15 hours.

Dehydrating frozen broccoli might take longer to do as there is more water to extract. 

Can you dehydrate, broccoli, leaves, and stems?

Yes, you can dehydrate broccoli leaves and stems with your broccoli florets.

Broccoli leaves and stems are still nutritious food to eat. 

Good to eat so dehydrate all of the broccoli, stems, leaves, and all.

Be sure to cut up all the parts of the broccoli leaves and stems so they can dehydrate evenly.

How to make broccoli powder?

Chop up your broccoli head in florets and do not leave big chunks uncut.

Blanch your broccoli in hot water for three minutes and in cold water for three minutes.

Dehydrate your broccoli with the method of your choice.

Dump your dried florets in a powerful blender.

My recommendation for a powerful blender is the Vitamix. I love mine and don’t regret investing in one.

If you’re not sure which type of blender to invest in, check out our best blenders list. 

Blend up until you have a green powder mixture. 

Rehydrating Dehydrated Broccoli 

To rehydrate your dehydrated, broccoli needs to put your veggies in warm water.

As long as the broccoli is covered in the warm water cooler and is soaked for about 15 minutes

Rehydrate your broccoli until it is completely soft again, just know your broccoli will be a little smaller in size after rehydration. 

How to store dehydrated broccoli?

To store dehydrated broccoli for long-term storage correctly, you have to place it in airtight glass jars or containers.

It needs to be bone dry before storage and if you place it in a container and after 48 hours you see condensation, put it back in a dehydrator to dry more.

The best airtight container to place your broccoli in is a glass container like a mason jar.

Dehydrated vegetables have half the shelf life of dehydrated fruit. 

Dehydrated broccoli can last up to 6 months if stored correctly.

Storing your dry goods for a long time is the goal so placing them in an air-tight container with oxygen absorbers, in a dry place, cool and dark place is key.

If you see your dehydrated broccoli get moldy at any time, please discard it right away.

Check your dehydrated foods periodically to ensure their quality.

Dehydrating Broccoli Uses

So now you have all this dehydrated broccoli, now what?

You can make many meals with dehydrator broccoli some examples are:

• Add the head of broccoli to vegetable soups
• Make dehydrator broccoli pizza bites
• Place it on top of homemade pizza
• Try dehydrated cheesy broccoli chips
• Use your broccoli, stems, or leaves for broccoli powder.
• You can use broccoli powder in smoothies
• Yellow rice with dried broccoli
• Cut up your dehydrated broccoli to make broccoli powder and add it into homemade pasta.
• Make broccoli slaw.
• Throw dried broccoli in a stir-fry 
• Place your dehydrated, broccoli and broccoli and cheese soup.
• Siri broccoli cake recipe
• Try a broccoli patties recipe
• Use broccoli powder to make chocolate broccoli cake

Dehydrating Broccoli FAQ

How long does dehydrating broccoli last? 

Dehydrated broccoli can last up to six months in an airtight container that is placed in a cool dark place.

Dehydrated vegetables have half the life of dehydrated fruit so be mindful of that.

Does broccoli dehydrate well?

Broccoli, its leaves and stems can all dehydrate well if you dry it correctly and make sure it’s bone dry before storage.

Can I dehydrate broccoli without blanching?

You can’t dehydrate broccoli without blanching when you use frozen broccoli bags from the grocery store.

If you’re using fresh broccoli from the store or your garden, be sure to know that the quality of your broccoli will decrease as blanching helps preserve its color and quality.

How do you prepare broccoli for dehydration?

To prepare your broccoli for dehydration you must first chop your broccoli up into small florets or in smaller pieces. 

Then blanch your broccoli in hot water for three minutes and in cold water for three minutes. 

Let it sit and dry before placing it in a dehydrator.

Learn how to preserve more food, and check our other food preservation post below.

Best How to Guide to Dehydrating Oranges

How to start dehydrating garlic & Garlic Powder Step-by-Step

How to Dehydrate Green Onions, Preserve & Use them!

Best Methods on How to Dry & Start Dehydrating Parsley at Home

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