How Long Does Dehydrated Food Last? Helpful Guides & 5 Tips

For many people, dehydrated food can be an incredibly convenient way to get essential nutrients without spending a lot of time cooking. With so many different types available and endless options for how to use them in meals or snacks, it’s no surprise that this has become a go-to option for those on the go. But one key component of utilizing dehydrated foods is understanding just how long does dehydrated food last before needing to be replaced. Read on as we explore the details behind the shelf life of dehydrated food.

How Dehydrating Works?

Before exploring how long does dehydrated food last,you should know how dehydrating works. Dehydrating works by removing moisture from food through evaporation, which inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is one of the oldest and most effective methods of food preservation known since ancient times. There are various types of dehydrators and techniques available, such as air dehydrating and oven dehydrating. However, this guide will specifically concentrate on dehydrating food using an electric food dehydrator.

Prepare Food Before Dehydrating

To ensure the flavor preservation of fruits and vegetables before drying, it is recommended to utilize the blanching technique. In this preparation method, foods are immersed in boiling water and then placed in ice water. Additionally, soaking sliced fruits in an acidic solution, like citric acid or lemon juice, can effectively prevent undesired alterations in color and texture. Therefore, prior food preparation is crucial when it comes to dehydrating.

How Long Does Dehydrated Food Last?

The answer to the question “how long does dehydrated food last” range from 4 months to 1 year. The duration of storage is affected by the storage temperature; the higher the temperature, the shorter the storage time.

How To Determine The Right Dehydrator Temperature?

After knowing how long does dehydrated food last, determining the appropriate dehydrator temperature is crucial for optimal results. Most vegetables and fruits dehydrate well within the range of 125-135 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid the temptation to increase the temperature to expedite the process, as this can lead to a tough outer skin while leaving the inside insufficiently dried.

Furthermore, high heat in your food dehydrator can destroy essential enzymes and diminish nutritional value. Therefore, understanding the correct temperatures for dehydrating your foods is essential.

How To Dehydrate Food?

How To Dehydrate Vegetables?

To dehydrate vegetables, follow these steps:

• Set your dehydrator to 125F.
• Dehydrate the vegetables until they become crisp or hard. The duration can range from 4-12+ hours, depending on factors such as the vegetable type, size, dehydrator model, dehydrator load, and humidity in your house.
• Ensure you use the appropriate temperature to prevent over-dehydrating the vegetables (although remember, excessive heat can scorch them).

How To Dehydrate Fruit?

To dehydrate fruit, follow these steps:

• Arrange pretreated fruits on drying trays in single layers, pit cavity up.
• Dry the fruits at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator.
• The drying time will vary depending on the size of the fruit pieces, humidity, and air circulation in the dehydrator or oven.

How To Dehydrate Grains And Beans?

To dehydrate your legumes, grains, and seeds, you have two options. First, you can use a dehydrator and set it at 120 degrees overnight. Alternatively, you can also use an oven set at the lowest setting (170 degrees) for approximately 12 hours or until completely dry.

How To Dehydrate Meat?

To dehydrate meat, ensure its safety by pre-cooking it through roasting or steaming. This will raise the internal temperature to 160–165F/71–74C, effectively eliminating any bacteria. After pre-cooking, rinse off and spread the meat on dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at a temperature of 145F/63C for 4–6 hours until it becomes hard and no moisture pockets remain.

Tips For Successful Food Dehydration And Preservation

• Optimal Environmental Conditions: Ensure the right combination of warmth, low humidity, and air current. This allows for safe and effective drying of foods.
• Low Humidity: Maintain low humidity levels to facilitate moisture transfer from the food to the air.
• Low Heat Source: Use a source of low heat to create warm temperatures that promote evaporation of moisture.
• Air Circulation: Promote air circulation to accelerate the drying process.
• Note: In high humidity areas with cool night temperatures like Minnesota, sun drying is not recommended for food preservation.

Tips For Storing Dehydrated Food

• Pack food tightly without crushing in clean, dry insect-proof containers.
• Use clean, dry home canning jars, plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids, or plastic freezer bags for storing dried foods.
• Consider vacuum packaging as an additional storage option.
• Pack food in suitable amounts for single use.