How to Dehydrate Cilantro
This step-by-step guide provides detailed information on how to dehydrate cilantro at home using a food dehydrator. Dehydrated cilantro is easy to make, easy to store, and lasts for months, making it a great addition to your homemade dehydrated camping meals.
Equipment
- Removable fruit roll sheet insert (one for each dehydrator tray)
- Common kitchen tools (including cutting boards, chef's knife, colander, etc.)
- Canning jars with tight-fitting lids
- Desiccant packets for moisture control (optional)
Ingredients
cilantro
Instructions
Process the Cilantro
- Trim away the stem ends. Maybe about half an inch above the cut, just enough to remove any discoloring from the harvest cut.cilantro
- Examine the cilantro bunch and remove anything that shouldn't be there, such as wilted leaves you wouldn't want to eat.
- Cold water rinse to remove any grit or other debris.
- Finely chop the cilantro bunch into small pieces. About 1/16 to 1/8 inch (2 to 4mm) in width.
Prepare the Dehydrator
- Thinly layer the chopped cilantro onto the fruit roll sheet. If you have too much, use another dehydrator tray.
Dehydrate the Cilantro
- Set the dehydrator thermostat temperature to 135 °F (57 °C). Dry for 8 to 12 hours until done.
When is the Dehydrated Cilantro Done
- The cilantro leaves and stems are brittle and should easily crush into smaller pieces.
Equalizing and Conditioning the Dehydrated Cilantro
- After a short cooling period, loosely pack the dehydrated cilantro into a clean, dry canning jar with a tight-fitting lid, leaving some headspace.
- Every day, for 7 to 10 days, check the jar for moisture. Roll the jar contents around and note any clumping or sticking. If seen, put the cilantro back on the dehydrator for several more hours.
- If you notice any mold at all, even the slightest bit, throw it all out.
Storing Dehydrated Cilantro
- Use appropriate-sized canning jars for storage. Depending on how well you dehydrate the cilantro and your pantry storage conditions, the dried cilantro should keep for up to 12 months.
- An optional food-safe desiccant packet will aid with moisture control.
- Attach or include a label describing the jar contents and the date the product was dehydrated. The label identifies the canning jar contents, and the date helps with the rotation schedule. A first-in, first-out rotation helps us to use items that have been on the shelf the longest, so we're using the oldest food first.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 teaspoonCalories: 2kcalSodium: 2mg
Nutrition information is only an estimate and may differ depending on the ingredients you use.
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