The act of dehydrating foods has been employed since ancient times and is a commonly used method of food preservation. In those days, drying was done by sun or air. Today, we have products such as food dehydrators which dry foods in a fraction of the time it used to take our ancestors. Meat and vegetables alike can be dried in dehydrators, including onions, which carry a distinct flavor and texture when dehydrated.
Step 1
Remove the skin from the onions and cut the top off the onion, leaving the root intact.
Step 2
Slice or dice the onions, depending on your preference. If drying slices, cut the onion into 3/8-inch slices all the way down to the root, which is then disposed of. If dicing onions, slice the onion in half lengthwise. Lay the onion down curve side up and make vertical cuts from top to bottom. Turn the onion 90 degrees and make cuts from right to left.
Step 3
Place the onions evenly spread out on the drying racks of the dehydrator unit. Most dehydrators have multiple racks, which allows for drying large amounts of food.
Step 4
Set the heat on the model at 135 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry the onions for four to eight hours, or until they have reached the desired consistency. Fully dried onions will have a leathery texture.
Things You'll Need
- Kitchen knife
- Food dehydrator
