By now, many of us who garden are starting to enjoy fresh produce from our own backyards. As a longtime gardener, I’ve learned that harvests often come in extremes—it’s either feast or famine. One week, there’s nothing, and the next, I have enough vegetables to feed a small army! That’s one reason many of us invest in freeze dryers: to preserve the abundance rather than let it go to waste or give it all away. Of course, I still love sharing some with coworkers and friends. 😊
Proper preparation is key when it comes to freeze drying food. Preparing your produce correctly ensures it retains the most nutrients and rehydrates well when you're ready to use it in a meal.
So how do you know whether or not you need to blanch your produce before freeze drying?
We recommend following the same guidelines used for freezing fresh produce.
|
Produce |
Cutting Required |
Blanching Required |
Freezing Tip |
|
Broccoli |
Cut into florets |
✅ Yes (3 min) |
Cool in ice bath before freezing |
|
Carrots |
Slice/dice/chop |
✅ Yes (2–5 min) |
Use a baking sheet to freeze separately |
|
Green Beans |
Trim ends, cut if desired |
✅ Yes (3 min) |
Keep whole or cut for easy portioning |
|
Bell Peppers |
Slice/chop |
❌ No |
Freeze on tray, then store in bags |
|
Zucchini |
Slice/grate |
✅ Yes (1–2 min) or ❌ if grated |
Grated zucchini freezes best for baking |
|
Spinach/Kale |
Remove stems |
✅ Yes (2 min) |
Press out excess moisture before freezing |
|
Corn (kernels) |
Cut off cob |
✅ Yes (4 min) |
Cool before bagging |
|
Peas |
Shell |
✅ Yes (1.5 min) |
Freeze in thin layers |
|
Tomatoes |
Whole or chopped |
❌ No (for sauces) or ✅ if for freezing raw |
Best frozen as puree or sauce |
|
Onions |
Chop/dice/slice |
❌ No |
Freeze in meal-size portions |
|
Berries |
Whole |
❌ No |
Freeze on tray, then transfer to bag |
|
Apples |
Peel, core, slice |
✅ Yes (2 min with lemon juice) |
Ideal for pies or baking |
|
Bananas |
Peel |
❌ No |
Mash or slice; best for smoothies/baking |
|
Mushrooms |
Slice or whole |
✅ Yes (1–2 min sauté or steam) |
Avoid raw freezing to preserve texture |
|
Celery |
Chop/dice |
✅ Yes (3 min) |
Best used in cooked dishes after thawing |
|
Cabbage |
Shred or chop |
✅ Yes (1–2 min) |
Works well in soups/stews |
