Dehydrating Onions is such a simple way to preserve this delicious pantry staple! Learn how to dry onions in a food dehydrator or in the oven.
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Onions are a staple in so many kitchens for a reason. This incredible ingredient adds so much flavor to all kinds of recipes. While fresh storage onions can last for a while, dehydrating onions will extend the shelf-life tenfold.
If you’re a huge onion fan (and who isn’t?), check out our posts on Instant Pot French Onion Soup, Gluten-Free French Fried Onions, and Instant Pot Caramelized Onions.
And if you don’t have a dehydrator, this tutorial on How to Freeze Onions will be right up your alley.
I have owned this dehydrator for at least a dozen years, and it has held up beautifully. I’ve added additional trays over the years and it is a workhorse in summer and fall, meaning I can dehydrate oregano, dehydrate mint, drying rosemary, drying peaches, dehydrate marshmallows, dehydrate garlic, dehydrate basil, dehydrate tomatoes, dry pears, and dehydrate apples. That’s what is called a preserving win.
HOW LONG DOES DEHYDRATED Onion LAST?
As long as it is stored in a cool and dry place, your dehydrated onions will be good for years. Make sure the dried onions are fully cooled before putting them into an air-tight container. As it cools it will release heat that could result in condensation and eventually cause the onion to mold.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
- If possible, move your dehydrator outside to a safe covered space. The smell of drying onion can be overwhelming to many people.
- The onions are ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. If your pieces are thinner, it will feel papery when ready.
- (optional) add a bit of uncooked dried white rice to a powerful blender to make onion powder. The rice will help keep the onion powder from clumping together.
More Delicious Preserving Recipes
- Canning Peaches
- How to Blanch and Peel Tomatoes
- What to Can, Preserve, and Eat in Summer
- Canning Pears
- How to Make Tomato Powder
- How to Freeze Pesto
- Canning Beets
- How to Stock Your Pantry on a Budget
- Freezing Corn on the Cob
- How to Can Green Beans
- Canning Potatoes
Dehydrating Onions
Ingredients
- onions
Instructions
- Remove the tops and skins.
- Cut in half and then make slices ~3/8 inches thick.
- Arrange the slices on your dehydrator so that there is space around each slice, and the slices are not touching.
- Set your dehydrator to the "fruit/vegetables" setting (or 135 degrees F).
- Rotate trays every few hours.
- Onions are ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. If your pieces are thinner, it will feel papery when ready. (6-12 hours depending on conditions)
Notes
- If possible, move your dehydrator outside to a safe covered space. The smell of drying onion can be overwhelming to many people.
- Dried onions are 3-4 times stronger than fresh.
- Dried onions will rehydrate to ~80% of the original size when soaked in water for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
