Whether you want to use dehydrated onions in soups, stews, or as a seasoning, the process of dehydrating them is simple and straightforward. Dehydrating onions is a great way to preserve their flavor and extend their shelf life. By removing the moisture from the onions, they become crispy and easy to store. Plus, dehydrated onions take up less space than fresh onions, making them an excellent option for those with limited storage space.
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Dehydrators will pay for the real estate they take up in your kitchen over and over again. They're surprisingly affordable. Mine cost around $50 and I use it all the time.
If you grow veggies and fruit and frequently find yourself with a surplus, dehydrate them! Not only are you preventing food waste, you're creating snacks that will remain shelf stable from months to years. For instance, I dehydrate strawberries in the summer when their flavor is sweetest and most intense. I store them in my pantry in mason jars and add them to smoothies and cereal for a quick burst of summer flavor in the winter.
For kitchen pantry staples, you can't go wrong with dehydrating umami rich mushrooms. When dehydrated, you can use mushrooms as vegan jerky or you can chop them up and add them to casseroles, and pasta sauces.
In this post, I'll guide you through the steps to dehydrate onions using a food dehydrator. You'll learn how to slice and dice onions, dry them, and turn them into flakes or powder. With my step-by-step instructions, you'll be able to preserve the flavor of onions and add a tasty ingredient to your favorite recipes.
And, best of all, you're doing your part to help the planet by living a more sustainable life, which is something we love at Daily Dish. If you're interested in sustainable living, please check out these easy ways to be more sustainable in life.
🔪How To Cut Onions Without Crying
First things first, chopping onions is a tearful business. Here's a few tips to make it a bit easier:
- Chill the onions: Before cutting the onions, put them in the refrigerator or freezer for 15-30 minutes. This helps slow down the release of the gas that causes eye irritation.
- Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will help you make clean cuts and reduce the amount of cell damage to the onion, which in turn reduces the amount of gas released.
- Cut under running water: Cutting onions under running water can help dilute the gas and prevent it from reaching your eyes.
- Light a candle or burn matches: Some people find that lighting a candle or burning matches near the cutting board can help reduce eye irritation. The theory behind this is that the flame burns off the gas before it reaches your eyes.
- Wear goggles: You can also wear protective goggles to shield your eyes from the gas while you cut the onions.
🧅How To Make Dehydrated Onions
- Peel the onions and cut them into small, uniform-sized pieces. You can use a knife or a food processor to dice the onions.
- Spread the diced onions out in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Be sure to leave enough space between the pieces for air to circulate.
- Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and let the onions dry for 6-8 hours. The exact time will depend on the humidity in your area and the size of the pieces. Check the onions occasionally and stir them or rotate the trays if necessary.
- When the onions are completely dry and crispy, remove them from the dehydrator. If desired, sprinkle them lightly with salt while they are still warm.
- Store the dehydrated onions in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for several months.
🍴How To Use Dehydrated Onions
- Dehydrated onions are an excellent addition to soups and stews, as they add a rich, savory flavor. Simply rehydrate the onions by soaking them in water for 10-15 minutes before adding them to your soup or stew.
- Dehydrated onions add a unique, rich flavor to dips and spreads. Try stirring them into vegan cream cheese or gluten free hummus for added flavor.
- Dehydrated onions add a crunchy texture and onion flavor to salads. Simply sprinkle them on top of your salad or mix them into the dressing.
- Dehydrated onions can be used as a seasoning for a variety of dishes, such as pasta, rice, and vegetables. Simply sprinkle them on top of the dish before serving.
🧂How To Make Onion Powder & Onion Flakes
To Make Onion Flakes:
- Take the dehydrated onions and crush them gently with your hands or with a rolling pin until they break into small pieces.
- Use a mesh strainer or a colander to sift the crushed onions, separating the larger flakes from the smaller pieces.
- Store the onion flakes in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for several months.
To Make Onion Powder:
- Take the leftover smaller pieces of dehydrated onions and grind them in a spice grinder or a food processor until they become a fine powder.
- Use a mesh strainer to sift the onion powder, separating any larger pieces that may have been missed during the grinding process.
- Store the onion powder in an airtight container at room temperature. It should last for several months.
Onion flakes and powder can be used as a seasoning in a variety of recipes, such as soups, stews, sauces, marinades, and rubs.
🙋♀️Frequently Asked Questions
Dehydrated onions are a versatile seasoning that can be used in a variety of recipes, such as soups, stews, casseroles, dips, salads, and more. They can be used as a substitute for fresh onions when you don't have any on hand or want a more concentrated onion flavor.
To rehydrate dehydrated onions, place them in a bowl or container and cover them with water. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes until they're soft and plump, then drain any excess water using a colander or strainer. You can use the rehydrated onions in your recipe as you would with fresh onions. If you want to speed up the process, you can use hot water or broth instead of cold water.
When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, dehydrated onions can last for up to 12 months. The key to keeping dehydrated onions fresh is to store them in airtight containers that are kept away from moisture and humidity. Exposure to air, moisture, and light can cause dehydrated onions to lose their flavor and spoil more quickly. So, make sure to store them in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources, such as the stove or oven.
As a general rule, 1 cup of dehydrated onions is roughly equivalent to 3 cups of fresh onions when rehydrated. So, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh onions, you can use ⅓ cup of dehydrated onions instead. However, keep in mind that dehydrated onions have a more concentrated flavor than fresh onions, so you may need to adjust the amount to suit your taste.
More Dehydrator Recipes
Dehydrated Watermelon Two Ways
Dehydrated Apples ~ Dehydrator, Oven & Air Fryer
How To Dry Zucchini In A Food Dehydrator
Cucumber Chips - Dehydrated And Baked
📖 Recipe
Dehydrated Onions
Ingredients
- 2-3 large onions
Instructions
- Peel the onions and cut them into small, uniform-sized pieces. You can use a knife or a food processor to dice the onions.
- Spread the diced onions out in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Be sure to leave enough space between the pieces for air to circulate.
- Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and let the onions dry for 6-8 hours. The exact time will depend on the humidity in your area and the size of the pieces. Check the onions occasionally and stir them or rotate the trays if necessary.
- When the onions are completely dry and crispy, remove them from the dehydrator. If desired, sprinkle them lightly with salt while they are still warm.
- Store the dehydrated onions in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for several months.
Notes
- Take the dehydrated onions and crush them gently with your hands or with a rolling pin until they break into small pieces.
- Use a mesh strainer or a colander to sift the crushed onions, separating the larger flakes from the smaller pieces.
- Store the onion flakes in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for several months.
- Take the leftover smaller pieces of dehydrated onions and grind them in a spice grinder or a food processor until they become a fine powder.
- Use a mesh strainer to sift the onion powder, separating any larger pieces that may have been missed during the grinding process.
- Store the onion powder in an airtight container at room temperature. It should last for several months.
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