How Do You Dehydrate Vegetables for Backpacking?

By Robert Palmer

Dehydrating vegetables is one of the best ways to add nutritious and delicious food to your backpacking meals. It’s also an easy way to save money, since you can buy in bulk and dehydrate larger amounts of vegetables that will last for months. Here are some tips for dehydrating vegetables for backpacking:

Choose Quality Produce – The quality of the end result will depend on the quality of the produce used. Choose ripe yet firm vegetables that are free from bruises and blemishes. Wash them well to remove any dirt or pesticide residue.

Cut Evenly – Cut vegetables into thin, even slices for more even drying. This will help ensure that all pieces dry at the same rate and won’t take as long to rehydrate. For hardier vegetables like carrots, cut into thin sticks or grate them.

Blanch, if Necessary – Some vegetables need to be blanched before dehydrating in order to preserve their color, texture and flavor. Blanching involves boiling a vegetable in water for a few minutes before plunging it into cold water to stop the cooking process. Blanching also helps keep vegetables crispier when they are rehydrated.

Lay Out Evenly on Trays – Place prepared vegetable slices onto trays lined with parchment paper or silicone mats and spread them evenly so they don’t touch one another. This will help ensure they dry evenly.

Dehydrate at Low Temperatures – Dehydrate at temperatures between 95F-115F (35C-46C). This lower temperature range helps preserve more vitamins and minerals than higher temperatures would.

Conclusion:

Dehydrating vegetables is an excellent way to enjoy healthy backpacking meals while saving money. By following these tips, you can easily dehydrate your own vegetables in order to enjoy nutritious meals while out in nature.