How Many Vegetables Fill a Dehydrator?
Use This Easy Tray Guide

Trying to figure out how many vegetables fill a dehydrator? It’s a common question — especially when you're trying to avoid overbuying or wasting produce.

Whether you’re using fresh carrots or frozen peas, the answer depends on your dehydrator model and tray size. This page offers a practical, easy-to-follow guide to help you shop smarter, prep with confidence, and dry your veggies with zero guesswork.

Celery on a Nesco dehydrator tray

But for now, we're going on the assumption that you're filling FOUR full trays. I created this guide to help make that decision easier for you.

It helps to have a rough idea of how many vegetables to purchase at the store!

How Many Vegetables Should You Buy to Fill Your Dehydrator?

This veggie buying guide helps you figure out how much to buy if you cannot afford to buy in bulk, or don't have room to store it and prefer picking up your vegetables on a weekly basis.

Maybe it's time to begin growing your own. But... most of us do not have tons of spare time to grow stuff or have room in our fridges and freezers.

Before you go out and buy too much though, a little farther down the page I'll show you roughly how many vegetables will fit on four dehydrator trays.

Please remember this is just a guide. It's not an exact science...

Why Using Fewer Than 4 Trays Can Ruin Your Results

The reason why I picked how many vegetables it takes to fill four full trays is this: FOUR trays are the Nesco dehydrator brand's recommended minimum tray usage.

If you use any less than four full trays, for instance, only two trays, then you are not getting the proper air circulation necessary to dry your vegetables properly.

Read more about Nesco dehydrators here. They have plenty of great accessories, such as spare trays (I purchased the four-tray starter Nesco); and they have non-stick solid sheets which are great for making fruit leathers.

The non-stick mesh sheets are great for stopping smaller pieces of food from dropping down into the tray below. When food dries, natural shrinkage occurs. Keeping the dried food on the trays means less stuff to clean up out of the bottom of the dehydrator, right? Right!

Excalibur dehydrators also have non-stick sheets for the same purposes I listed above as the Nesco dehydrator.

Here is Your Guide to How Many Vegetables Fills FOUR Trays

  • Cut Green Beans: fresh or frozen, 2lb
  • Broccoli: fresh or frozen, 2lbs
  • Butternut Squash: fresh, 1 medium squash; frozen 2lb
  • Cabbage: fresh sliced, 1/2 cabbage head
  • Carrots: fresh, sliced 5-8 carrots; frozen 2lb
  • Cauliflower: fresh, 1 medium; frozen 2lb
  • Celery: fresh, 1 stalk, sliced
  • Cut Corn: fresh: 6-8 ears; frozen 2lb
  • Garlic: Elephant, fresh: 1 large bulb
  • Mushrooms: fresh, 2lb
  • Onions: fresh 1-1/2 to 2 medium to large; diced frozen 2lb
  • Peas: fresh or frozen 2lb
  • Peppers: fresh, cut in strips 4-5; frozen 2lb
  • Potatoes: fresh, varies 4-6; frozen diced hash brown 2lb
  • Tomatoes: fresh, 7-9
  • Zucchini: fresh, 3-6

Excalibur vs. Nesco: Which Veggie Dehydrator Wins?

As mentioned in our dehydrator section, I have an Excalibur dehydrator and a Nesco dehydrator.

I use the Nesco on a daily/weekly basis, and the Excalibur is great for proofing bread!

Now you're armed with the knowledge of how many vegetables fill a dehydrator and thanks for stopping by!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dehydrating Vegetables

Can I mix vegetables on the same tray?

It’s best to group similar vegetables together, as drying times can vary significantly. Try to keep moisture levels and sizes similar for even results.

Should I blanch vegetables before dehydrating?

For some vegetables like carrots, green beans, and broccoli, blanching helps preserve color and texture. Always check if your veggie needs pre-treatment.

How do I know when vegetables are fully dried?

They should be brittle or leathery (depending on the type), with no moisture when torn. Conditioning after drying can also help equalize moisture levels.

Can I dehydrate frozen vegetables straight from the freezer?

Yes! Most frozen vegetables are already blanched, which saves you a step. Just spread them out on the trays (no thawing needed) and start dehydrating — it's super convenient.

What’s the best way to store dehydrated vegetables long term?

Store them in airtight containers like mason jars, Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, or vacuum-sealed bags. Keep them in a cool, dark place to extend shelf life up to a year or more.

Do I need to rotate trays during drying?

If your dehydrator doesn’t have horizontal airflow (like some Nesco models), rotating trays partway through the drying process helps ensure even results. With Excalibur-style dehydrators, it’s usually not necessary.

Now that you’ve got a clear idea of how many vegetables fill a dehydrator, you can plan meals, shopping trips, and prep days with ease.

Want to try your dehydrated veggies in something tasty right away? Download my free 5 Dried Food Recipes PDF (below) — and turn those trays of dried goodness into delicious meals you’ll actually love!

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