Dehydrating Food

Drying or dehydrating is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. Drying removes moisture from the food and slows enzyme activity. Dried foods take up less storage space and do not require refrigeration.

All Dehydrating Food Content

Jars of canned green beans, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn

Pick it, Try it, Like it for Food Preservation

Use these Preserve it lessons for tips and tricks to select, prepare and preserve fruits and vegetables.

Canning supplies arranged on a kitchen counter.

Home Food Preservation Self-Study Course

This course provides research-based information on food preservation.

Sun-drying screens with a white sheet in the middle

Sun-Drying – A Traditional Native American Method of Preserving Food

Curriculum developed to facilitate the education of a cultural tradition for youth in Native American and non-Native American communities.

A yellow ear of sweet corn.

Using Dried Corn

Fact sheet on ways to use dried corn

Glass bowl full of freshly harvest chokecherries.

Drying Chokecherries

Fact sheet on drying chokecherries

A red-purple plum.

Drying Plums

Fact sheet on drying plums

A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables displayed on a countertop.

Solar Drying Fruit and Vegetables

Fact sheet on solar drying fruits and vegetables

A yellow ear of sweet corn.

Sun-Drying Corn

Fact sheet on sun-drying corn

a variety of bright colored fruits and vegetables arranged on a table

A Guide to Drying Foods

Fact sheet about drying foods

Woman preparing fresh herbs for canning in glass jars.

General Kitchen Safety for Food Preservation

Kitchen safety during preservation is just as important as using a safe, evidence-based preservation method. Kitchen cleanliness can affect the safety of the preserved product.