How Do I Store Dehydrated Food To Keep It Fresh?

“I’ve just started dehydrating fruits and veggies from my garden, and I want to make sure they stay fresh and last as long as possible! I’ve read a lot of conflicting information online, and I’m not sure what the best way to store them is. Some articles say to use vacuum-sealed bags, others mention mason jars, and I’ve even seen a few people talk about freezer storage… Well, I have a couple shelves in my pantry, and I’m hoping I can use that space. What’s the best method to keep my dehydrated food tasting good for as long as possible? Thanks a lot!”
Patricia, Toronto, Canada.

How Do I Store Dehydrated Food To Keep It Fresh?

Patricia, congrats on getting into the wonderful world of dehydrating your homegrown goodies! First of all, let me just say I totally get it – it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the different tips and tricks floating around the internet. Storing dehydrated food doesn’t have to be complicated, though. I promise it can be pretty straightforward if you know a few key things. So, let’s break it all down so you have everything you need to know.

Why Proper Storage is So Important

Okay, first off, why does storing your dehydrated food the right way even matter? Well, you’ve put in all that effort to grow, prep, and dry your produce, right? Improper storage can undo all that hard work. Here’s the main reason: moisture. Dehydrated food is like a sponge. If it’s exposed to humidity or moisture in the air, it’ll absorb it, which fast-tracks spoilage or mold growth. Nobody wants their dried apple slices turning soft, gummy, or worse, moldy, after a few weeks.

Beyond that, light and oxygen are also enemies of your dried bounty. Exposure to light can degrade nutrients and color, while oxygen just invites spoilage. The goal here is to keep out moisture, air, and light as much as possible to extend the shelf life and maintain that delicious flavor.

Best Containers for Storing Dehydrated Food

So, let’s talk about containers. There are a few routes you can take, and the method you choose depends on how long you plan to store your food and how much effort you’re willing to put into it. Here are a few common options.

1. Glass Mason Jars

Mason jars are probably one of the easiest storage methods, especially if you have them lying around already. These glass jars are airtight, which means they do a great job of protecting your dehydrated goodies from moisture and air. You can go with smaller jars for herbs or spices and larger ones for things like dried fruits or jerky. Clear glass jars are handy because they let you see what’s inside, but here’s a quick tip: store these in a dark cabinet or pantry where light can’t degrade your food over time.

Seal the jars tightly after you’ve filled them. If you want to go the extra mile, you can use a vacuum sealing kit to get that extra air out, but honestly, if you’re just storing things for a few months, a good ol’ screw-on lid works just fine.

2. Vacuum-Sealed Bags

If you’re in it for the long haul or you live somewhere super humid (thinking of you, Patricia, with all that potential humidity in Toronto), vacuum-sealing bags may be your best bet. This method sucks almost all the air out, creating a tight environment that greatly reduces the risk of your food absorbing humidity. You can buy bags specifically made for vacuum sealing, which are thick and durable enough to stand up to long-term storage in your pantry.

The down side here is that those bags are opaque, so you can’t easily see what’s inside without labeling each one. But when it comes to keeping moisture and oxygen out, vacuum-sealing is pretty darn effective.

3. Mylar Bags with Oxygen Absorbers

Mylar bags are a kind of product for those of you looking to store dehydrated food for months or even years! These shiny, durable bags provide excellent protection from light and moisture. Many people use them with oxygen absorbers – small packets that soak up any remaining air in the bag after sealing. Just make sure to get food-grade Mylar bags, and don’t skimp on those oxygen absorbers. Without them, moisture could still sneak in and spoil your hard work.

Patricia, if you’re thinking “long-term pantry storage,” this could be a solid option for foods that you want to keep around for a year or more.

The Best Storage Location

Now that you’ve got your container options laid out, let’s talk about where to store everything. You mentioned a pantry, Patricia, and you’re in good company. A pantry is a great option, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Cool, Dry, and Dark

These three words should always be in the back of your mind. If your pantry is cool (as in, below 75°F), dry, and dark, it can extend the life of your dehydrated food significantly. While dehydrated food is pretty forgiving, long or repeated exposure to higher temperatures or humidity can cause problems. Aim to keep things as cool and stable as possible. Heat can make foods lose their flavor, textures, and even nutrients over time.

Avoid Freezing and Refrigeration

This might surprise some folks, but storing dehydrated food in the fridge or freezer isn’t necessary and could actually lead to problems. Dehydrated foods don’t have enough moisture to justify freezing them. Plus, the temperature changes when you take them in and out of a cold environment could cause condensation – that dreaded enemy of dried food!

Troubleshooting Common Storage Problems

Even when you do everything right, stuff can happen. Let’s go through some of the most common issues people encounter and how to troubleshoot them quickly.

Food Becomes Sticky or Soft over Time

This one usually means moisture has found its way in. You’ll want to double-check your storage containers. Are the lids or seals tight? If you stored them in glass jars, did you maybe open them frequently enough for moisture to sneak in? A good tip is to always shake dried fruits or herbs before opening the jar to make sure they haven’t clumped together.

If anything feels sticky or soft and you catch it before it goes bad, you can actually re-dehydrate food. Just pop those items back on your dehydrator trays for a few hours until their texture is right again.

Food Smells or Tastes “Off”

If you open up a jar or bag, and something smells funky, that’s usually a sign the food has begun to go bad. Spices usually lose potency before they spoil outright, but fruits and meats may start to develop an odor. It could be spoilage, or it could be oxidation from being stored with too much air inside. If that’s the case, consider transferring to a vacuum-sealed bag or using oxygen absorbers.

How Long Will Dehydrated Food Last?

Storage time varies based on the food and your storage methods. Here’s a general rule of thumb:

• Dried Fruits: About 6 months to a year in mason jars or vacuum-sealed bags. Longer with Mylar and oxygen absorbers.
• Dried Vegetables: You’ll get anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on how dry they are and the environment you’re storing them in.
• Jerky/Meats: These tend to have a much shorter shelf life – about 3 months in basic storage, although extending it to a year or more with vacuum sealing and cold storage is possible.
• Spices & Herbs: If dried thoroughly and stored away from light, these can last years, but they’ll start losing flavor after a year or two.

As long as you’re using airtight storage and keeping things in a cool, dark place, you’ll have a bit of wiggle room with those guidelines.

Best Practices for Long-Term Storage

Here’s a final set of tips if you’re planning to store your dehydrated food for more than a year:

• Label and Date Everything: Write down the date you dehydrated and stored each item. It helps you track what to use first before something potentially goes stale or loses flavor.
• Rotate Stock: I always use the older items first to avoid letting my stockpile sit too long. It’s a good habit to get into. Plus, I don’t risk accidentally pulling out something that’s been sitting for two years when it could’ve been enjoyed earlier!
• Check Regularly: Every few months, take a peek at everything. Give jars and bags a shake to check for clumping or moisture buildup, especially if you live in an area with seasonal humidity like Toronto.

Final Thoughts…

Patricia, I’m so happy you reached out with this question. Storing dehydrated food properly can make all the difference between enjoying fresh-tasting snacks for months and ending up with a pantry full of mushy, spoiled produce. As long as you focus on using airtight containers, keeping things cool, dry, and dark, you should have no trouble keeping your dehydrated food in top shape.

And hey, don’t be afraid to experiment with different methods and containers as you get more comfortable. You’ve got this!