Mason Jars for Storing Dehydrated Food:
Smart and Easy Storage

I use Mason jars for storing dehydrated food because they're ideal for foods that I use on a regular basis.

Mason Jars

It's a great way to store dehydrated fruit and vegetables for a couple of reasons:

  1. They are airtight!
  2. Store easily on your pantry shelves in the kitchen behind closed doors.

💡 Storage Tip: Even though clear glass looks beautiful, always store jars in a dark cupboard or pantry to protect your dehydrated foods from light damage.

Mason Jar FAQs: Your Quick Pantry Cheat Sheet

How long does dehydrated food last in Mason jars?

When properly sterilized and vacuum-sealed with an oxygen absorber, dehydrated foods stored in Mason jars can stay fresh for 6 months to 2 years. How long they last depends on the type of food, how dry it is, and how well you protect the jars from heat, light, and moisture.

Can I use Mason jars with a vacuum sealer?

A Mason jar vacuum sealer is a device that sucks oxygen from mason jars in order to extend the shelf life of foods stored inside it. Read my Pawcute Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer Review here. Benefits of using a Mason jar vacuum sealer include:

  • Prevents Spoilage - By removing oxygen, it inhibits mold, yeast, and bacteria growth that causes food spoilage, providing longer freshness.
  • Preserve Nutrients - Vacuum sealing minimizes air exposure, especially in vegetables, fruits, meats, and prepped meals. Light and oxygen degrade vitamins over time.
  • Saves Money - Because we can store foods for longer periods means less wasted food thrown out due to spoilage. Mason jars are great for bulk batch prepping.
  • Compact Storage - Mason jars stack well and maximize pantry space.

Mason jars and lids? Where to get them?

Check out our Amazon links on the page a little further down. That's where I get mine. Walmart also have great deals on Mason jars and the good thing is, you can see "in person" if there are any broken jars or bent jar bands.

Do I need to sterilize my Mason jars?

Yes, you do. Scroll down to the headline "Why It's Important to Sterilize Mason Jars Before Use" for the three methods!

Method 2 is my fave, but I have been known to do Method 1.

I've never done Method 3 but I would if I canned foods! (What a tease!)

Can I just use Mason jars without vacuum sealing?

Yes, you can—but for the best long-term results, vacuum sealing is highly recommended. If you don't vacuum seal, your dehydrated foods may not last as long because of residual oxygen and moisture. Vacuum sealing with an oxygen absorber helps extend the freshness and flavor significantly!

Peek Inside My Pantry: See How I Use Mason Jars!

Mason jars in a row on a shelf, filled with dehydrated vegetablesTwo rows of my Mason jars inside a kitchen cupboard - filled with dehydrated food!

I keep a stash of dehydrated goodies in Mason jars in a kitchen cupboard! :-) Plus, they look great on our shelves. Impress your friends and family! Go read our "how to dehydrate vegetables" and "how to dehydrate fruit" pages!

TIP: Use smaller air-tight jars (half-pint) for items that you don't use a lot of—such as garlic, and spices.

I use air-tight Mason jars for storing dehydrated food for everyday use.

When I'm ready to make a quick soup or need to add some dehydrated vegetables to a recipe, I can quickly add some dehydrated vegetables without having to mess around preparing fresh vegetables.

Now don't get me wrong, I'll take fresh vegetables over dehydrated any day, but we're all about doing this for long-term storage and to speed up prep time during the week.

Why Different Jar Sizes Save Time and Sanity

"Ball" brand Mason jars with an oxygen absorber inside each of them

Keeping dehydrated vegetables in different-sized Mason jars means I'm not opening up my Mylar bags all the time to retrieve a vacuumed packet and having to re-seal the Mylar bag afterward.

This way, I can quickly grab a jar, pour out what I need, and make a quick vegetable soup.

Shown in the photo are dried carrots, celery, and sliced garlic in the front.

See Your Food Clearly: The Genius of Glass Mason Jars

I like the fact they're made of glass; not only can you see the contents in the jar, but you can see at a glance how much of the contents remain!

But when you ARE ready to refill your jars from your stock, just go pick out one from your stash of stored Mylar bags. Cut off the Mylar bag's top seal, take out a packet (or two), reseal the Mylar bag, and refill your jar!

Important: Do not forget to sterilize your jars before use.

Don't Skip This Step: How to Sterilize Mason Jars Properly

If you're planning on canning or preserving food at home, it's important to sterilize your Mason jars before use. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold and will keep your food fresh for longer.

There are a few methods to sterilize Mason jars.

Method 1: Wash the jars in hot, soapy water, and then rinse them well. Next, place the jars upside down on a clean towel and let them air dry.

Once the jars are dry, you can sterilize them by placing them in a preheated oven (200°F) for 10 minutes.

Method 2: Sterilize the jars in a dishwasher. Use the dishwasher as an effective method to sterilize Mason jars as part of the dehydration preparation process - but don't mix the jars along with other dirty dishes!

Running washed/clean Mason jars and lids through a full dishwasher cycle on the hottest wash and dry setting helps achieve sterilization as long as jars come out piping hot from the dishwasher and are used immediately. Don't have them hanging around the kitchen!

Method 3: Boil the jars in a large pot of water for 10 minutes.

Once you've sterilized your Mason jars, they're ready to use. Be sure to fill them with food while they're still hot to help prevent bacteria from growing.

Method Pros Cons
Oven Simple and hands-off; no water needed Takes longer than other methods
Dishwasher Convenient if jars are already clean; minimal effort Must use jars immediately while still hot
Boiling Traditional and thorough sterilization Uses more water and energy; requires more handling

My Favorite Mason Jars You Can Grab Today

Ball Reg Mouth Quart (32oz) Jar, 12-pk
Ball Reg Mouth Quart (32oz) Jar, 12-pk

Mason Jars Regular Mouth Quart Jars

  • Ball brand regular mouth Glass Mason Jars. Quart size (32oz)
  • Package of 12
Ball Mason Jar Pint size, Wide Mouth, 12-pk
Ball Mason Jar Pint size, Wide Mouth, 12-pk

Mason Jars Wide Mouth Pint Jars

  • Ball brand wide mouth Glass Mason Jars. Pint size (16oz)
  • Package of 12
Jarden Kerr Wide Mouth 8oz jar, 12-pk
Jarden Kerr Wide Mouth 8oz jar, 12-pk

Mason Jars Wide Mouth Half Pint Jars

  • Ball brand wide mouth Glass Mason Jars. Half-Pint (8oz)
  • Package of 12

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

👉 Pro Tip: Mason jars sell out fast during canning season—stock up now while you can still find them at great prices!

Fun Fact: How Mason Jars Got Their Name

The Mason jar was named after its inventor, John Landis Mason. He patented the jar in 1858, and it quickly became a popular choice for canning and preserving food.

As you know, Mason jars are made of glass, and they have a screw-on lid that creates an airtight seal. This makes them ideal for storing food for long-term storage.

Save Money: Reuse Oxygen Absorbers the Smart Way

Add a 100cc oxygen absorber in the jar before vacuuming.

Later on, an easy way to tell if the oxygen absorber is 'worn out' is when you take the lid off. If the lid opens without a popping sound, that means you need to replace the old absorber with a new one.

NOTE: I'll keep the 'old/used' 100cc oxygen absorber and put that in the smaller jars (the jars I use for the elephant garlic and spices).

Even though it may not have much 'life' left in the old oxygen absorber, there's usually enough life left in it for a small jar. Change out the old absorber for a new one when you cannot feel any air pop resistance at all when you remove the lid!

A NOTE HERE about DESICCANT PACKETS

Use them in conjunction with Oxygen Absorbers.
Here's How and Why...

Thanks for stopping by to read why Mason jars for storing dehydrated food are ideal for everyday use. Take a moment to check out my review on a great Mason jar sealer by Pawcute here.

One More Thing...

Keeping a stash of ready-to-use dehydrated foods in Mason jars can save you precious time and money. Stock up, stay organized, and enjoy faster meal prep every week!

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