Dehydrating celery is a fantastic way to preserve this nutritious and versatile vegetable, extending its shelf life and creating a handy pantry staple for a variety of culinary uses. Dehydrated celery can be used in soups, stews, and seasoning blends. Stock up on celery when it goes on sale to enjoy all year long.
- Fresh celery stalks
- A knife and cutting board
- Dehydrator. I use an Excalibur dehydrator. I highly recommend this dehydrator. It is the easiest one I have found to use and drys everything really well.
- Airtight containers for storing the dried celery. I use mason jars. but any airtight container will do.
- If planning on storing long term (less than 1 year) oxygen absorbers and a way to seal whatever you are storing in. For mason jars I use this attachment for my foodsaver. If you do not have a food saver this tool is a great option.
A lot of places recommend you blanch your celery before dehydrating. CSU says “Pre-treating vegetables by blanching is recommended to enhance quality and safety. Blanching improves color and texture, relaxes tissues so pieces dry faster, reduces the time needed to rehydrate vegetables, and helps to destroy potentially harmful bacteria. “.
I have found that blanching celery before hand makes it mushy when rehydrated. Because of this, I personally do not blanch celery. If you wash the celery really well before dehydrating it, I have found that it rehydrates well and lasts just fine. I am not sure about the bacteria thing, but personally, I feel like you eat fresh celery after washing it just fine so I do not see the problem in it. That is just my opinion and you should do what you feel safest doing for your family.
Celery that has been dehydrated and then rehydrated will never be as crisp as fresh celery. So using it for a veggie tray is probably not going to work out for you.
What I have found it works best in is, soups, stews, and chicken/beef/veggie pot pies. It does well in chicken salad/egg salad also. It will not be as crunchy as fresh but still is decent.
You can also put it in a blender and make celery powder or add salt for celery salt.
First, you are going to cut the tops and bottom off the stock. Then wash each stock really well in your sink. Pat as much moisture off of each stalk as you can.
As far as cutting the celery it is all personal preference. You do not want the celery bigger than about 1/4”. I prefer to dice mine using my chopper. I’ve used both sizes of the diced square and they both work fine. I prefer the small diced just because I do not like big chunks of celery in my stuff. The smaller size makes it easier to hide in dishes for my toddler.
This tray held 8 celery stocks
You will want to store your dehydrated celery in an airtight container. Check out my post on The Basics of Dehydrating here for a more in-depth guide on how to store dehydrated foods.
I find the best temperature to dehydrate celery is 130°. This process usually takes about 6-12 hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen, the efficiency of your dehydrator, and how thick your slices are.
I usually set mine at night before I go to bed and it is dry in the morning when I get up. It is really difficult to overdry food, so setting it overnight pretty much guarantees it will be completely dry in the morning.
Step 1: Select and Prepare Your Celery
Start by choosing fresh and crisp celery stalks. If there are any brown spots or signs of decay, remove them. Wash the celery thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. Use a vegetable peeler to remove any tough or stringy fibers on the outside of the stalks if desired.
Step 2: Slice the Celery
Using a sharp knife, slice the celery into even pieces. You can cut them into thin strips or small pieces, depending on your preference. The thickness should be uniform to ensure even drying.
Step 3: Pre-treatment (Optional)
Some people prefer to blanch the celery briefly before dehydrating to preserve its color and flavor. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil, and blanch the celery for 1-2 minutes. Immediately transfer the blanched celery to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat them dry with a paper towel before proceeding.
Step 4: Arrange on Dehydrator Trays
Place the celery slices or pieces on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping. This allows for proper air circulation and uniform drying.
Step 5: Set the Dehydrator Temperature
Consult your dehydrator’s manual for the recommended temperature settings for vegetables. In general, celery should be dried at a temperature between 125°F and 130°F. The process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.
Step 6: Monitor and Rotate
During the drying process, periodically check on the celery to ensure that it’s drying evenly. Rotate the trays if necessary to ensure all pieces are dehydrated uniformly.
Step 7: Test for Dryness
To check if the celery is fully dehydrated, remove a piece and let it cool to room temperature. It should be crisp and brittle with no moisture content. If there’s any flexibility or moisture, it needs more time in the dehydrator.
Step 8: Cool and Store
Once your celery is properly dehydrated, let it cool to room temperature. Then transfer it to airtight containers. You can store it as whole pieces or grind it into a powder for use as a seasoning or in spice blends. Be sure to label the containers with the date of dehydration for reference.
Make sure before you store your dehydrated foods you condition them.
To condition, place cooled dried fruit loosely in large plastic or glass containers, about two-thirds full. Cover with a lid and store in a warm, dry well-ventilated place. Shake the jar and feel the food every day for a week. If there is evidence of moisture, return the food to the dryer.
Dehydrating celery is a straightforward process that allows you to preserve this vegetable’s flavor and nutritional value. With a little time and the right equipment, you can create your own dried celery to enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes or enjoy as a healthy and crunchy snack. Plus, having dried celery in your pantry is a convenient way to add depth and nutrition to your culinary creations year-round. Give it a try and enjoy the benefits of this DIY food preservation technique!
