Learn how to freeze dry beets. They have a delicious earthy flavor and a crisp texture. Freeze drying will preserve the nutritional value of the beets, so this is a great way to take advantage of all their health benefits and store them for a very long time.
Airtight Containerfor storage glass jars or mylar bags with oxygen absorbers
Vacuum Sealeroptional for sealing mylar bags or removing air from glass jars
Ingredients
Beets
Instructions
Choose young beets. Wash under cold running water to remove dirt anddebris. Leave on the roots. Trim the beet greens, leaving about 2 inches of stems intact.
Place the beets in a large pot of boiling water. Be sure all beets are fully covered with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the beets until they are fork-tender. (usually takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the beets).
Remove the beets from the pot and let them cool for a few minutes or until you can handle them.
Use your fingers or a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin, which should easily slide off.
Slicing beets to the appropriate size. Not more than 1 to 1.5 inches thick and similar in size.
Use a knife to slice beets by hand. Use a French fry blade on a food processor to create sticks.
Pre-Freezing:
Pre-freezing is optional. Arrange the sliced beets in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer and let the beets pre-freeze for a few hours or overnight.
Arrange the frozen beets in an even layer on your freeze drying trays. (pre-freezing is optional)
Place them in the freeze dryer and turn on the device following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow the freeze dryer to run until the freeze dryer indicates the beets are dry. This may be 24-48 hours.
Check for doneness, if not done run the dryer for a couple more hours. Continue until beets are brittle, crunchy and completely dry.
Package for long term storage.
Short term storage (1-2 years): Place in an airtight container like a mason jar, ideally with an oxygen absorber.
Long term storage (up to 25 years): Store in a mylar bag with an oxygen absorber and vacuum seal.
Keep your freeze-dried food in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Notes
Note, please always check your freeze dryer manual for specifics on that dryer. Some models have different settings that make freeze drying super easy!