How to Dehydrate Cabbage

Sliced cabbage on a Nesco dehydrator tray

Welcome to "how to dehydrate cabbage!" Unfortunately, cabbage doesn't have a lot of flavor on its own, but it absorbs the flavors of the spices you cook it with very well. :-)

As a kid, I loved cooked hot cabbage bathed in butter, with a tad of salt and a sprinkle of fine white pepper. Come to think of it, I still love cabbage served this way!

Cabbage is inexpensive and healthy, so you can stock up on it without breaking the bank. I'll show you how to dehydrate cabbage using your oven or a food dehydrator. Let's get started!

TOP Frequently Asked Questions:

Top Question is "Can you dehydrate cabbage?"

Yes, scroll on down to get full deets on how to dehydrate cabbage.

How long do you dehydrate cabbage?

The average length of time to dehydrate cabbage is between 7 to 11 hours and it will feel brittle when dried.

Cabbage Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Folate.

MINERALS: A good source of Potassium and Calcium, along with Phosphorus, with trace minerals of Selenium, Zinc, and Manganese.

Cabbage also contains Omega-6 fatty acids.

Get Busy Dehydrating Cabbage for Soups and Coleslaw!

Full head of cabbage

Here's how to dehydrate cabbage. Yes, it can be done even though it is one of those vegetables that doesn't immediately spring to mind as being able to dehydrate because it seems so dry to begin with!

A plus for us when slicing a head of cabbage is that one head of cabbage goes a long way...

Do You Have to Blanch Cabbage Before Dehydrating?

Unlike some vegetables that need blanching, you can skip this step for cabbage. Blanching preserves vibrant colors, and as we all know, cabbage's color isn't vibrant!

Having said that, dehydrated cabbage will get paler as time goes on.

Prepping Cabbage - Cut with a Good Knife!

Follow the tip below on using a good, sharp knife and slice your head of cabbage evenly.

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Begin by Using a Good Sharp Knife!

Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.

I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.

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Cabbage being slicedCabbage being sliced

What is the Best Way to Dehydrate Cabbage?

Hands down: an electric dehydrator! You can fill it and forget it.

But if you're using a regular oven, keep your eye on the cabbage towards the end of the drying time as you don't want it to scorch.

How to Dehydrate Cabbage in a Dehydrator

  1. There's not much preparation; simply remove the outer leaves (save these for making stuffed cabbage rolls, for instance) and rinse if necessary under cold water. Slice into thin strips, about 1/8" wide.
  2. Arrange on your food dehydrator trays. The cabbage may overlap a bit, and that's OK.
  3. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).
  • Fully dehydrated cabbage will be brittle when fully dried.
  • Drying time: between 7-11 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your dehydrator trays, for even drying.

It will feel brittle and crisp when fully dried, and so lightweight!

How to Dehydrate Cabbage in a Regular Oven

Dehydrating cabbage in a regular oven is relatively simple. First,

  • Preheat the oven to 200°F.
  • Cut the cabbage into thin slices, discard the core.
  • Spread the cabbage slices on a baking sheet and bake for about two hours, or until dehydrated.

Once dehydrated, store cabbage in an airtight container for up to six months. When ready to use, simply rehydrate the cabbage by soaking it in water for about 30 minutes.

Dehydrated cabbage is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different recipes. So next time you're in the mood for coleslaw or other dehydrated dishes, give dehydrating cabbage a try!


Dehydrated cabbage in bowl showing 7 trays of dried cabbage

Hard to Believe THIS Bowl Holds 7 trays of Dehydrated Cabbage!

Honest! It's seven full trays of dehydrated cabbage!

It's hard to believe, isn't it, that one head of cabbage filled seven Nesco dehydrator trays—and when you're done, it ALL fits into this soup bowl!

Store your cabbage in Mason jars for use often for soups, etc., or store it in vacuum-sealed bags for long-term food storage.

For great prices on Mason jars, check them out on our Mason Jars page.

Cabbage growing in a field and shredded in a dish

Can Dehydrated Cabbage be Used in Coleslaw?

Yes, of course you an use dehydrated cabbage in coleslaw because it's used in traditional coleslaw.

What summer picnic would be complete without it? Simply rehydrate dehydrated cabbage at a 1:1 ratio. Meaning? A cup of dehydrated cabbage to one cup of water.

Let it sit for about half an hour, or to your desired reconstituted consistency.

Classic Coleslaw from Allrecipes.com

Classic Coleslaw

Try this classic coleslaw with a vinegar/mayonnaise dressing from Allrecipes.com, and is sugar-free!

This recipe is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

Be sure to give it a try!

Add Shredded Cabbage to Soup (and Smoothies!)

I love adding shredded dehydrated cabbage to my vegetable soups, just drop it in—it's that easy—and it cooks along with the rest of the vegetables.

When you're ready to rehydrate your cabbage, see how to rehydrate dehydrated food here.

Don't forget to add cabbage to your vegetable smoothies too. It's a delicious way to "eat yer veggies!"

You can either rehydrate the cabbage first or add it to your smoothies "dry" - it will pretty much disintegrate in your blender.

Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate cabbage. And while you're here, have you got my free "How to Grow and Dehydrate Herbs" ebook? No? Get it here.