Learn how to master food dehydrating for fruits, veggies, meat, and more with our easy guides. If you're worried about rising grocery prices, food shortages, or wasting precious produce, you're in the right place.
Start building a healthier, longer-lasting pantry today — and be prepared for whatever life throws your way!
After experiencing the challenges of food storage during the twin hurricanes in 2004, I became passionate about food dehydration as a reliable, practical way to preserve food.
I realized how important it was to have shelf-stable foods I could truly depend on. Since 2010, I've been sharing my knowledge to help others keep their pantries stocked — whatever the reason or season.
I've also created quite a few recipes, get my top 5 recipes free today via the form, or read more here!
After experiencing the challenges of food storage during the twin hurricanes in 2004, I became passionate about food dehydration as a reliable, practical way to preserve food.
I realized how important it was to have shelf-stable foods I could truly depend on. Since 2010, I've been sharing my knowledge to help others keep their pantries stocked — whatever the reason or season.
I've also created quite a few recipes, get my top 5 recipes free today via the form, or read more here!
Learn how to dehydrate a variety of fruits — from apples and strawberries to tropical favorites — while locking in their natural sweetness and nutrients.
Dehydrated fruits make the perfect healthy snacks, cereal toppers, and long-lasting emergency supplies you’ll be glad to have on hand.
Preserve a wide range of vegetables — from carrots and bell peppers to leafy greens — while locking in their nutrition and flavor.
We’ll show you how to dehydrate vegetables for soups, stews, casseroles, and pantry mixes, helping you save time, reduce waste, and keep healthy ingredients ready for any meal.
Master the art of making protein-packed treats like beef jerky, turkey strips, and dried seafood — all from your own kitchen!
We’ll walk you through prepping, seasoning, and dehydrating your meats for maximum flavor, perfect texture, and safe storage.
Once your food is perfectly dehydrated, the next critical step is storing it properly.
We'll show you how to use food vacuum-sealer bags, Mason jars, Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and desiccant packets — plus the right containers — to keep your dehydrated foods fresh, flavorful, and free from spoilage.
🖱️ Click the images below to dive deeper into each storage method.
Protect Your Dehydrated Foods with Vacuum-Sealer Bags
Vacuum-sealer bags are one of the best ways to keep your dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and meats fresh for the long haul. By removing air and sealing tightly, they block out moisture and oxygen — the biggest threats to your stored foods.
Look for bags that are at least 3-mil thick and specifically made for food vacuum sealers. The right bags will help extend shelf life, preserve flavor, and keep your dehydrated foods ready whenever you need them.
👉 See why vacuum-sealer bags are a must-have for dehydrated food storage.
Store Your Dehydrated Foods in Mason Jars
Mason jars are a simple, reliable way to store dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and even homemade dried meals. Their airtight seals help block out moisture and air, keeping your foods fresher, longer.
Choose standard or wide-mouth jars depending on what you’re storing, and add oxygen absorbers and/or desiccant packets for extra protection. With clear glass sides, it’s easy to see what’s inside at a glance.
👉 See why Mason jars are a smart choice for dehydrated food storage.
Mylar Bags: Long-Term Storage 1 Gallon (10"x14")
When you need serious protection for your dehydrated foods, 10"x14" Mylar bags are a smart choice. These tough, light-blocking bags shield your foods from air, moisture, and light — all major causes of spoilage.
They're ideal for bulk storage of fruits, vegetables, meats, and full meal mixes. Just add an oxygen absorber and a desiccant packet, seal them properly, and your dehydrated foods will stay fresh for months or even years.
👉 Learn how Mylar bags keep your dehydrated foods fresh for years.
Keep Moisture Out with Desiccant Packets
Desiccant packets are a small but powerful tool for protecting your dehydrated foods during storage. They absorb any leftover moisture inside your containers, helping to prevent mold, spoilage, and clumping.
Use them in Mason jars, Mylar bags, and vacuum-sealed pouches to add an extra layer of protection — especially in humid climates. Always choose food-safe desiccants and replace them if they become saturated.
👉 Keep your dehydrated foods safe and dry with desiccant packets.
Extend Shelf Life with Oxygen Absorbers
Oxygen absorbers are essential for keeping dehydrated foods fresh during long-term storage. They remove leftover oxygen inside sealed containers, helping to prevent spoilage, off-flavors, and even insect activity.
Use them in vacuum-sealed bags, Mylar bags, and Mason jars to protect fruits, vegetables, meats, and full meal mixes. Choose the right size absorber based on your container size for best results.
👉 Extend the freshness of your dehydrated foods with oxygen absorbers.
Dehydrating food isn’t just practical; it’s a rewarding way to embrace sustainable living. Here’s why you’ll love it:
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Dehydrated food isn’t just for storage—it can be the star of your meals! From crunchy apple chips to hearty soups and stews, we’ll show you creative ways to turn dried ingredients into delicious, nutritious dishes.
Whether you're looking for easy snacks, long-lasting meal prep ideas, or ways to use up your dehydrated pantry staples, our growing collection of recipes will help you make the most of your preserved foods.
Is dehydrating food safe?
Yes! When done properly, dehydrating is a safe way to preserve food naturally, without chemicals or refrigeration. We show you exactly how to dry and store your food safely.
Do I need an expensive dehydrator to start?
Nope! While top-end dehydrators have great features, you can absolutely start with an affordable model and still create high-quality dried foods.
How long does dehydrated food last?
When properly dried and stored, many dehydrated foods can last from 6 months up to 5+ years, depending on the item and storage conditions.
Can I dehydrate cooked meals like soups and stews?
Yes! With a little know-how, you can dry entire meals and rehydrate them later. Great for quick lunches, hiking, camping, or emergency food kits.
What foods can't be dehydrated?
High-fat foods like avocados and fatty meats don’t dehydrate well because they can spoil faster. We cover which foods work best for drying on the site!
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for this wonderful site. I bought a dehydrator about 5 months ago and it's been such a blessing. It wasn't easy finding a comprehensive site to learn the ins and outs of preserving food this way. Thank you for the time it took to put this website together. Also thank you for informing people about the need to prepare in a caring way, one that doesn't scare people off :-)" —Kerri
"Awesome Site! Thanks for the great info.!" —Cathy
"I love this site. You lay out the directions in an easy to follow order. Thanks for such wonderful ideas." —Linda Spangenburg
"Thank you for posting this. I'm learning how to store dehydrated foods - this is so helpful." —Kimberly Russell
"I love love my dehydrator and so happy to find your site, now I am super enthused to read and learn more so I can get to work! LOL. I currently have broccoli in my dehydrator, just finished fruit leathers, and tomorrow will try your potatoes suggestion! Thank you! Blessings :0)" —Juliette Cagnolatti
"Oh my goodness what a great site! Very welcoming. :-) I have dehydrated some fruit & veggies before but never dared to do meat... you make it seem very easy. Thanks!" —Patricia
"Oh, I am so happy to have found this site, I started last year dehydrating and have become addicted. Your site makes it so easy to follow and understand. Thank YOU so much for taking the question out of doing many different things." —MJ Jeroue
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