To make a dehydrated soup mix, gather desired vegetables, starch, seasonings, and dried meat pieces. Prepare the veggies according to their type and dice them into small pieces. Arrange the mixture on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate at 135°F for 8 - 12 hours until thoroughly dry.
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How to Make Dehydrated Soup Mix in a Dehydrator
A quick and easy approach to making homemade soup with a long shelf life is to make dehydrated soup mix in a food dehydrator.
- Collect the necessary ingredients, including vegetables, herbs, and seasonings of your choice.
- Wash the vegetables thoroughly and chop them into small pieces. Use a mixture of different veggies for color and flavor. Most soup mixes contain onions, carrots, celery, and leeks as a base.
- Some vegetables, such as carrots, must be pre-cooked by blanching before dehydrating. For veggies that require blanching, place them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then cool them for 2-3 minutes in a bowl of ice water before dehydrating.
- Pat the vegetables dry using a clean kitchen or paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Season the vegetables with herbs, spices, salt, and pepper according to your tastes to create a customized mix.
- Place and spread these ingredients evenly on the dehydrator trays leaving enough space between them for air circulation.
- Turn on the dehydrator using the vegetable setting or set the temperature to 135°F, and let the ingredients dehydrate for several hours. The time required depends on the type and quantity of ingredients. Keep rotating and stirring the trays occasionally for even drying.
- It usually takes 8-12 hours for the ingredients to be completely dry and brittle. High-moisture vegetables may take longer.
- Once the vegetables are fully dried, let them cool at room temperature for at least an hour.
- Store the soup mix in a labeled, airtight container at room temperature for 18-24 months. Store in a cool, dry place.
How to Make Dehydrated Soup Mix in an Oven
It’s easy to dehydrate soup mix using a conventional home oven:
- Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature or 140°F.
- Wash the vegetables and cut them into small, uniform pieces. Pre-cook the vegetables that need to be blanched before dehydrating.
- Use clean kitchen towels or paper towels to pat the vegetables dry.
- Put the vegetables in a bowl and add herbs, spices, salt, and pepper to season them.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the seasoned vegetables evenly, leaving enough space between the pieces for air circulation.
- Dry the vegetables in the preheated oven while keeping the oven door slightly open to let moisture out and promote aeration.
- Check the ingredients frequently to make sure they are drying evenly. Rotate the trays as needed. If required, turn the baking sheets to ensure even dehydration.
- Bake for 6-8 hours or until the vegetables are completely dry. Once brittle, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature.
- Store them in airtight containers or resealable bags, and label the containers with the type of soup mix and the date of preparation.
What Ingredients Are Needed for Dehydrated Soup Mix?
Dehydrated soup mixes are made up of readily available ingredients and don’t follow a set soup mix recipe but include common components such as:
- Dehydrated vegetables: Kale, peas, Swiss chard, corn, potatoes, and tomatoes, are commonly included in soup mixes.
- Herbs & Spices: Garlic powder, thyme, onion powder, rosemary, parsley, basil, oregano, bay leaves, and black pepper are popular choices for adding flavor to soup mix.
- Meat (optional): For more protein, add dehydrated meats like beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Salt should be added to soup mixes to enhance the soup’s flavor.
- Vegetable or chicken bouillon cubes: Add vegetable bouillon cubes or granules for an extra savory flavor.
Can You Put Soup in a Dehydrator?
Yes, you can dehydrate some types of soup in a dehydrator. Broth-based soups are preferred because cream-based soups often fail to dehydrate well and do not have a long shelf life. To dehydrate broth-based soup, choose one that includes solid ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, and beans.
What Types of Soup Can You Dehydrate?
Here are just a few popular types of soup that dehydrate well:
- Bean Soup Mix
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chili Soup Mix
- Minestrone Pea Soup
- Tomato Soup Mix
- Quinoa Lentil Soup
- Vegetable Soup
How to Store Dehydrated Soup and Dehydrated Soup Mix
Dehydrated soup and dehydrated soup mix can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container, like a Mason jar, out of direct sunlight. The area should be cool and dry. An oxygen absorber will help extend the shelf life of the soup mix.
How Long Does Dehydrated Soup Mix Last?
Dried soup mix is shelf-stable and will maintain its best quality for 18 to 24 months when stored properly in an airtight container.