How Do You Dehydrate Rice and Beans for Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

Rice and beans are an essential part of any backpacking trip. They provide a hearty, nutritious meal that is easy to prepare and can be stored for long periods of time without refrigeration. Dehydrating rice and beans allows you to save space, weight, and time on your next trekking adventure. Here’s how you can dehydrate rice and beans for backpacking:

1. Cook the Rice – The first step is to cook your rice until it is tender but not mushy. You can cook the rice in a pot or use a rice cooker if you have one available. Once the rice is cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper so that it cools down quickly.

2. Cook the Beans – Next, cook your beans according to the instructions on the package or use canned beans if that’s what you prefer.

Spread them out on the same baking sheet as the rice so they cool down quickly as well.

3. Dehydrate – Place both the cooled rice and beans in a food dehydrator according to its instructions and set it to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). The drying process should take between 8-12 hours depending on how much food you have in the dehydrator at once.

4. Store – Once everything has dried completely, transfer it into an airtight container or vacuum-seal bag for storage until ready for use. Make sure there are no moisture pockets in either container type before sealing them shut!

Conclusion: Dehydrating rice and beans for backpacking trips allows you to save space, weight, and time while still enjoying a hearty meal that is nutritious and simple to prepare even while out in the wilderness! By following these steps, you’ll be able to dehydrate your favorite dishes before heading out on any backpacking adventure!