How to Dehydrate Broccoli for
Easy Meals and Snacks

Learn how to dehydrate broccoli when it's at its freshest — and enjoy vibrant, flavorful broccoli all year long!

Drying broccoli is an easy, smart way to lock in nutrients, cut down on waste, and always have a shelf-stable veggie ready for soups, casseroles, and quick snacks.

Dehydrated broccoli in a round bowl

I'll show you how easy it is to dry broccoli so you always have a stash ready — whether for soups, casseroles, or a quick, shelf-stable snack.

While fresh broccoli is unbeatable for salads and veggie trays in the summer, frozen broccoli is a fantastic stand-in when it's out of season.

Just a heads-up: skip the solid frozen blocks and grab bags of loose florets instead — they dehydrate much better and save you a lot of hassle!

Top Broccoli Dehydrating Questions Answered

Can you dehydrate broccoli?

Yes! Broccoli is easy to dehydrate, whether fresh or frozen. It preserves beautifully for soups, casseroles, snacks, and more.

Do I need to blanch broccoli before dehydrating?

If you're using fresh broccoli, yes—blanch it for 2 minutes to lock in color, texture, and nutrients. Frozen broccoli is already blanched!

How do you rehydrate dried broccoli?

Soak dehydrated broccoli in warm water for about 10–15 minutes before cooking, or toss it directly into soups and stews.

What temperature do you dehydrate broccoli at?

Set your dehydrator between 125°F and 135°F. It usually takes between 6 to 14 hours depending on the floret size.

How long does dehydrated broccoli last?

When properly stored in airtight containers or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers and desiccant packets, dried broccoli can last up to 1–2 years.

How do you use dehydrated broccoli in a recipe?

Dried broccoli can be cooked or eaten raw. Here are a few dehydrated broccoli recipe ideas...

  • Add to Soups/Stews: Add chopped broccoli to any broth, soup, or stew and simmer until very tender and reconstituted before serving. The broth helps rehydrate it well.
  • Toss into Rice/Pasta Dishes: Stir chopped dried broccoli into creamy pasta or risotto dishes, or add to a stir-fry for extra nutrition. The broccoli rehydrates and becomes tender during cooking.
  • Include in Casserole Mixes: Combine dried broccoli (chopped small), with casserole ingredients like chicken and rice. The broccoli will reconstitute while cooking and baking.
  • Sprinkle on Pizza: Rehydrate dried broccoli in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain well and sprinkle broccoli pieces over your favorite pizza crust before adding sauce and cheese, and then baking.
  • Roast in the Oven: Spread rehydrated broccoli pieces on a baking sheet, toss with olive oil and seasonings and bake until slightly crispy and browned.

The key is to first chop well and fully rehydrate before cooking through in your favorite dishes and recipes. The result tastes just like fresh broccoli!

🥦 A Quick Peek: Broccoli’s 2,000-Year History

Did you know that broccoli has been around for over 2,000 years and counting?

Ancient Romans loved it — and while they probably weren't dehydrating it back then, they'd definitely approve of how we preserve its goodness today!

Broccoli Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Folate, and Choline and has trace amounts of Niacin, Vitamin E, and Thiamine.

MINERALS: Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium. Trace minerals are Iron, Zinc, Manganese, and Selenium.

Broccoli also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids too.

How to Dehydrate Broccoli (Fresh or Frozen) the Easy Way

If using frozen broccoli, ignore steps 1 and 2 coming up in "From Fresh" below.

NOTE: if your frozen broccoli has clumped together in the bag, prior to opening the bag drop it gently on your countertop a few times – this helps to loosen it up!

Frozen Broccoli Stuck Together? Try This Easy Trick

If you still have a few small clumps on your dehydrator trays, simply run the clumps under clean cool water for a few seconds, and that will do the trick!

Or leave broccoli unopened in the bag in the kitchen sink for an hour. You will be able to slice the big florets easily when partially thawed.

How to Prep and Dehydrate Fresh Broccoli

  1. Thoroughly wash your fresh broccoli. Cut into small florets. The broccoli looks like miniature bushes now!
  2. Blanch in a small amount of boiling water for about 2 minutes. Look how nice and bright the color is! OK, if they're too big, slice them in half so they fit easily on your trays.
  3. Arrange the broccoli florets on your dehydrator trays, making sure they don't touch each other—give them some breathing room.
  4. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions) and that's all there is to it!

💡 Tip: Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

  • When your dehydrated broccoli is fully dried, it will feel very brittle.
  • Drying time for broccoli: between 6-14 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your dehydrator trays for evenly dehydrated broccoli florets.

Creative Ways to Use Your Dehydrated Broccoli

Dehydrated broccoli is a fantastic addition to your pantry — perfect for soups, casseroles, soufflés, and even quick snacks.

And hey, if your kids see you actually enjoying broccoli, you just might inspire them to give it a try too! 😊

Dehydrated broccoli, carrot, and cheese soup served in a bowl

Once rehydrated, dried broccoli is incredibly versatile. It makes delicious broccoli cheese soup, adds a pop of flavor to quiches, and even blends into creamy sauces.
Toss in some carrots for extra color and sweetness, and don’t forget a sprig of parsley to make it meal-worthy!

Fresh broccoli might have a slight edge, but dehydrated broccoli comes impressively close — and that's why it's such a smart, shelf-stable backup for your favorite recipes.

💪 Supercharge Your Diet with Broccoli Sprouts

You can even start growing your own broccoli and eat the sprouts! They are fantastic added to low-carb soft tortillas...

Julius even shared his experience with us — check out his page on the health benefits of powdered broccoli: Powdered Broccoli—Healthful Benefits

Thinking of Growing Broccoli? Here’s How to Succeed

If you're looking to grow broccoli in your garden, you'll want to make sure you have the right conditions for growing this veggie. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, broccoli prefers full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Harvesting broccoli, person holding a cut bunch of broccoli

When it comes to planting, you'll want to start your broccoli seeds indoors about six weeks before the last spring frost. Once it's time to transplant the seedlings outdoors, make sure to space them 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 2½ to 3 feet apart.

Water your broccoli regularly, especially during dry periods. The Almanac also recommends adding a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture.

Harvest your broccoli when the heads are firm and tight. You can cut the entire head off at once, or harvest individual florets as needed. Be sure to check your plants regularly, as broccoli that is left to mature will produce flowers and eventually go to seed.

Growing broccoli can be a challenge, but if you have the right conditions and take care of your plants, you'll be rewarded with a delicious crop of this nutritious vegetable.

Thanks for stopping by to learn how to dehydrate broccoli! If you’re ready to stock your pantry even more, check out our other dehydrated veggie guides here.

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