Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables to grow…and eat! While freezing is the standard way to preserve broccoli, why not make it shelf-stable by dehydrating it? Wait, can you dehydrate brocolli? Yep, it can be done! Let me show you “How to Dry Broccoli Using a Dehydrator”!
I can hardly wait to harvest my broccoli every year! I never feel as though I grow enough of it!
Broccoli is such a nutritional powerhouse!
I’ve always been allergic to cow’s milk, albeit raw, cultured, whatever. I cannot drink it in any form.
Rather than supplement my diet with calcium capsules, I’ve made a point over the years to eat a lot of broccoli and almonds, both for the calcium they supply! One cup of cooked broccoli provides 180 mg. of calcium, more than a cup of milk.
When broccoli isn’t in season here in Ohio, it’s awesome to be able reach in the freezer or on the shelf for broccoli to include in family meals!
When using garden-fresh broccoli, be sure to soak the heads for a few minutes in salt water. Using warm water (not hot) with about a handful of salt will bring the broccoli worms right out!
Here’s one of those broccoli worms now! Yuck!
After all of the worms come out, give your broccoli a good rinse and let’s get to chopping.
Break or chop the florets into small pieces. When slicing the broccoli stalk, you may want to peel it first and cut it into 1/2″ pieces. The broccoli will dry best at this size.
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Place all of your beautiful chopped broccoli on your dehydrator tray!
I use the Excalibur Dehydrator and have for many years. In my opinion, the Excalibur is the best dehydrator on the market. It’s not the cheapest, by any means, but it was worth saving up for. It’ll be the last dehydrator I’ll ever need.
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According to the Excalibur instructions, your broccoli will need about 10 hours to dry on the vegetable setting.
When your broccoli is finished drying, it will be brittle. Be careful when handling it.
I like to keep my dehydrated broccoli in a mason jar with an oxygen absorber. This is what 4 crowns of broccoli looks like when it’s dehydrated! Easy to store in a cool, dark cabinet!