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, drying chives, dehydrate mint, drying rosemary, dehydrating potatoes, drying peaches, dehydrate marshmallows, drying limes, 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
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.
- Use onion in our Best Seasoning for Burgers blend.
More Delicious Preserving Recipes
- Canning Peaches
- How to Blanch and Peel Tomatoes
- Freezing Basil
- How to Make Garlic Powder
- 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.
Thanks for mentioning that dehydrated onions will last years. My husband and I love to cook, but we can never seem to keep things fresh long enough to use them. I think we’re definitely going to order some dehydrated ingredients to help us with our cooking.