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    Home » Dehydrating

    Author: Darcy Baldwin • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    How to Dehydrate Scallions or Green Onions

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Fresh green onions, dehydrated onions in a jar, and conversion chart for green onions to powder

    Dehydrate scallions to add a punch of fresh flavor to your spice cabinet and up your onion powder game. Use this simple technique to dehydrate green onions and create a twist on traditional onion powder.

    Fresh green onions with dehydrated scallions in jars on wooden surface
    Dehydrated scallions aka green onions

    So, are they Scallions or Green Onions

    Actually, they're both. They are a member of the allium family, with a similar pungent flavor as onions, though a little milder. They're used mostly as a garnish (white bulbous portion) to punch some fresh flavor into soups, or as a garnish (the green tops) on rice, salads, potatoes, etc., similar to how chives are used.

    Because they are so inexpensive and are so easy to grow (and regrow), you might think that scallions aren't worth dehydrating. But having home dehydrated green onion stalks is infinitely better than the store-bought version you get at the store that is lifeless and tasteless.

    While most grocers only sell dried chives on the spice aisle, dried scallions can extend the flavor range of your home spice selection. Chives are cute, but they don't hold the same flavor punch.

    Fresh green onions with dehydrated scallions in jars on wooden surface

    How to Dehydrate Green Onions

    Quick Dehydrating Instructions

    Dehydrate Green Onions at 125°F / 52°C for 3-5 hours. But read further on why I do it differently!

    1. Cut off root ends.

    Cutting off the root end before washing helps save you time and water to not clean something you are going to replant or compost later.

    If you leave a bit more of the white bulb with a bit of the green leaves showing, you can actually re-grow these in your kitchen garden.

    2. Wash and strip

    You want to remove any debris that may be hanging out within the leaves, plus strip off the outer layer if it is already coming off.

    Green onions or scallions being washed in a stainless steel bowl

    3. Chop into small, uniform pieces.

    You want uniformity to ensure equal dehydrating. I also choose to separate the onion at its natural separation point between the stem and the leaves.

    The white bulbous portion of the scallion has a more pungent flavor than the milder leaves, so we use it differently in storage.

    Green onions or scallions chopped on a wooden cutting board

    4. Separate white rings (optional).

    Because the white portions of the scallion are denser but can be separated, separating them will allow all of your green onions to dehydrate at a similar pace. Leaving the white portions whole, will cause them to take longer to dry.

    Green onions sliced on a wooden cutting board

    One option is to split the bulbous portion of your scallion. Another option is to use something to poke through and separate the layers (this is a reusable chopstick in the photo).

    Again, this isn't necessary but can be helpful in dehydrating time.

    5. Dry on dehydrator trays for 6-8 hrs at 95F.*

    Cosori dehydrator trays filled with green onions before and after drying

    Here is the dehydrator I use.

    *Books and charts list scallions at 125°F/52°C as a vegetable. I prefer to dry them a little slower and keep more of the nutritional value of them by drying at 95F, treating them more like an herb/green than a vegetable.

    6. Cool and Test

    It is important to allow samples of your produce to cool before testing. Green onions should be dry, brittle, and easily break a part in your hand. The white ends should have no moisture on the inner most portion.

    7. Condition

    Place in a larger container, and shake once or twice for 5-7 days. If you see items sticking to the jar that don't easily shake off or clump together, put produce back in the dehydrator to dry.

    LEARN MORE: The reason why conditioning is so important for dehydrating!

    8. Store

    Store in an airtight container for up to a year

    Oven Directions:

    1. Prepare per the above directions
    2. Spread your green onions onto a parchment paper-lined cooling rack if possible (I use this one from Amazon). This helps keep the greens from being in direct contact with a solid hot surface
    3. Place cooling rack directly into the oven, or place on to a cookie sheet. I prefer the cookie sheet method as it give me more stability in the oven to move the tray around.
    4. Turn oven to the lowest temperature possible. Many ovens now have dehydrating features, so set it at 125F/52C. But if your oven doesn't go that low, set it at 170F/76C.
    5. Prop the door open with a heat-proof utensil - a wooden spoon, silicone spatula, silicone hot pad, etc. Please be mindful of any person who is mobility-impaired or small children while you are drying
    6. Dry for 3 or 4 hours, checking often so as not to burn the green onions. It may take longer, depending on the oven.
    7. Remove to cool and test
    8. Condition
    9. Store

    How to Rehydrate Dried Green Onions

    Place dried scallion pieces into a bowl with boiling water to allow them to steep and rehydrate.

    Rehydrating dried green onions in water in white bowl

    Don't forget - use that broth! You can see it's turning green from the nutrients and chlorophyll of the scallions - so use that broth to put into whatever dish you're creating! If it's not a wet dish, you can freeze the broth in ice cube trays to use when you are making broth, other soups, into rice, etc.

    Take it one step further...

    You know that you can't read a dehydrating post from me and not get a portion about taking it to the next level - by using vegetable powders - right?

    You can make onion powder from scallions! It may be a little different in color with the addition of the chlorophyll, but it makes an interesting twist to traditional onion powder. I can't tell you how much I love using dehydrated powders. Now...

    How to Make Green Onion Powder

    Toss in the white portion of your scallions and pulse into a powder. This method works best for small portions in a coffee grinder, but any blender will do. Blenders work best when at least half full, so if you're doing small amounts, a coffee grinder is preferable.

    Dehydrated green onions being powdered in a Cuisinart coffee grinder
    Conversion chart for fresh green onions to dehydrated scallions to green onion powder

    The difference between the bulbous end of the scallion and the green stems is the fiber content of the bulbous end. With more fiber and bulk, it produced more powder. You can easily combine all of these for a different flavor, too. I just separated them so that you could see the differences.

    How to Use Dried Scallions

    Our favorite way to use dehydrated scallions is in ramen bowls and soups. It adds a kick of onion flavor without a chunk of onion. My son loves making ramen (both store-bought and homemade), so he goes through it.

    You can easily add this powder into your green powder or vegetable powder to add a little kick, or use it as a replacement for onion powder.  I hope you'll try it soon! This is definitely an easy beginner dehydrating project to try!

    How to Store Green Onion Powder

    You should always store your scallion powder in an airtight container. The last thing you want is your powder getting damp, losing its nutritional value or usability, so learn how to keep your powders dry!

    Fresh scallions / green onions with dehydrated green onions
    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 2 votes
    PIN THIS!!

    Dehydrate Green Onions

    Dehydrate Green Onions aka Scallions aka Spring Onions for shelf-stable pantry storage all year long!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Dehydrating Time9 hrs
    Keyword: Green onions, scallions, spring onions
    Author: Darcy Baldwin

    Equipment

    • Dehydrator
    • Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Airtight storage container

    Ingredients

    • Green Onions

    Instructions

    • Cut off root ends.
    • Wash and strip off the outter layer if necessary
    • Chop into small, uniform pieces
    • Separate white rings if desired
    • Dry for 6-8 hrs (your hours may vary)
    • Cool and Test
    • Condition
    • Store in airtight containers

    Video

    Notes

    To rehydrate, toss into a soup/stew/casserole and allow to simmer/cook.
    To rehydrate for instant use (not cooking): place in a bowl to soak for an hour or so.

    Oven Directions:

    1. Prepare per the above directions
    2. Spread your green onions onto a parchment paper-lined cooling rack if possible (I use this one from Amazon). This helps keep the greens from being in direct contact with a solid hot surface
    3. Place cooling rack directly into the oven, or place on to a cookie sheet. I prefer the cookie sheet method as it give me more stability in the oven to move the tray around.
    4. Turn oven to the lowest temperature possible. Many ovens now have dehydrating features, so set it at 125F/52C. But if your oven doesn't go that low, set it at 170F/76C.
    5. Prop the door open with a heat-proof utensil - a wooden spoon, silicone spatula, silicone hot pad, etc. Please be mindful of any person who is mobility-impaired or small children while you are drying
    6. Dry for 3 or 4 hours, checking often so as not to burn the green onions. It may take longer, depending on the oven.
    7. Remove to cool and test
    8. Condition
    9. Store
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thepurposefulpantry or tag #thepurposefulpantry!
    Dehydrating Basics ebook on a tablet with a cup of coffee on a wooden background
    Pinterest talk bubble to remind people to pin image
    Fresh green onions, dehydrated onions in a jar, and conversion chart for green onions to powder

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    Comments

    1. Candy says

      March 31, 2019 at 8:16 am

      We dehydrate onions all the time. We do them outside because of the aroma can get intense. We always do potatoes next to help get rid of the onion odor

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        March 31, 2019 at 8:30 am

        These are pretty pungent the first hour or so, but then aren't too bad - not like full onions. We don't dehydrate outside because of the humidity levels.

        Reply
    2. Lisa Lombardo says

      March 31, 2019 at 8:21 am

      Hi Darcy,
      I have dehydrated onions but not the green onions...great idea! I have some seedlings started under lights for my garden this spring. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        March 31, 2019 at 8:29 am

        Hopefully you'll have some dried storage soon after 😉

        Reply
    3. AnnMarie Lewellyn says

      March 31, 2019 at 4:05 pm

      I have dehydrated bulbing onions in the past but didn't think it would work for green onions! Thanks for the tips! Love the idea of making onion salt from these!

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        April 01, 2019 at 7:28 am

        Works great! And the powder is a nice little change from regular onion powder!

        Reply
    4. Lisa M. Blacker says

      September 04, 2020 at 4:05 pm

      Regarding your suggestion, "Cutting off the root end before washing helps save you time and water to not clean something you are going to replant or compost later."

      It's important to wash the produce before cutting so you don't risk contaminating the interior with the bacteria from the exterior. If you cut into a dirty fruit or veg, the dirt is on the knife and carries through the food. You risk salmonella and other contaminents.

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        September 10, 2020 at 8:49 am

        You are correct, Lisa. And the comes from my natural tendency to strip the onion first, then cut into the fresh flesh not the outside, which then isn't an issue, but I'll be more clear in my comment.

        Reply
    5. Sandra Duke says

      November 28, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Darcy,
      Can I dehydrate green onions that I've had in the refrigerator?. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        November 29, 2021 at 9:30 am

        Of course, you can - no difference in the process just because they are refrigerated.

        Reply

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    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent the last twenty years learning how to stretch our budget to meet the needs of our growing family. I want to help you succeed at it, too!

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    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent the last twenty years learning how to stretch our budget to meet the needs of our growing family. I want to help you succeed at it, too!

    Learn how I can help you →

    Most Popular

    • Best Meals in a Jar Recipes
    • 200 Best Dehydrating Recipes for Fruits and Vegetables
    • 8 Ways to Dehydrate Zucchini
    • 9 Ways to Preserve Eggs (Safely)

    Summer Preserving

    • DIY Zucchini Chips
    • How to Make Dehydrated Tomato Chips
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    • Dehydrate English Cucumbers + Cucumber Powder

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