How to Dehydrate Broccoli
So Even Your Kids and Spouse Will Eat It!

It's easy to learn how to dehydrate broccoli whether you're using fresh or frozen broccoli! The only problem with frozen broccoli that I've noticed is that it can be very bitty, i.e. there are not usually plenty of broccoli florets, (maybe I need to spend more on a better quality frozen brand?)

Frozen broccoli is a great stand-in for fresh when it's out of season, as we all love fresh broccoli when it's tossed raw in salads or used as a dipper during summer! Avoid the solid blocks of frozen broccoli, buy the bags of loose florets instead.

Broccoli Nutrition Info.

Did you know that broccoli has been around for over 2000 years and counting? Don't know if folk have been dehydrating broccoli for that long, though!

Broccoli is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, Folate, Choline and has trace amounts of Niacin, Vitamin E, Thiamine.

Broccoli's minerals are 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 ~ The Easy Way!

If using frozen broccoli, ignore steps 1 and 2 coming up below.

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

De-clump Frozen Broccoli By Doing This...

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 after that.

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 in half so they fit easily on your trays.
3. Arrange the broccoli spears 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!

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

Dehydrated Broccoli is Very Versatile

Get Going Dehydrating Broccoli Now! Add dried broccoli to your arsenal of dehydrated vegetables—so you won't run out! If your kids see you eating broccoli and actually enjoying it, you stand a better chance of your kids eating it too! :-)

Used by Permission / Camtasia 2018 License

When dried broccoli is re-hydrated, it is superb as broccoli soup, as well as a souffle, and works well as a sauce! 

How about broccoli with cheese? Yummy!

Add some carrots too, garnish with a sprig of parsley.

Now you know how to dehydrate broccoli for soup etc., let's not forget to add broccoli to quiches too! It isn't as good as fresh, but it's a close second ... and that's why dehydrated broccoli works well in soups and sauces.

Best Areas for Growing Broccoli

If you're looking to add broccoli to 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.

Used by Permission / Camtasia 2022 License

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.

Susan Gast began Easy Food Dehydrating in December 2010. Read Susan's story of what sparked her interest in all things related to "food dehydrating."

Susan is featured on Mother Earth News blog, and on Solo Build It (SBI) who host this site along with her sister site, Finally-Keto. Read her first SBI interview, and her second SBI interview. Susan also runs an additional SBI website: SusanGast.com - Non-Fiction Author - and showcases many of the books she's created and marketed over the years.

Since 1980, Susan's involvement in publishing - in one form or another - led her to create a "review site" of products related to the publishing industry. Visit ePubTechReviews today.

Do you want to send Susan a quick message? Visit her contact page here. She'd love to hear from you!

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