Dehydrate unused citrus rinds to use in recipes calling for fresh zest. (2024)

FAQs

Can you dehydrate citrus zest? ›

Dehydrated Citrus Zest | Commercial Dehydrators

Place in your dehydrator and dry at 130°F for 2 hours. Break zest clumps apart and stir zest to make sure they are drying. Dehydrate for 1 to 2 hours at 130°F. Store in an air-tight container; in a dark place for up to a year.

To dry the peel in an electric food dehydrator, place the peel in a single layer on the drying trays. Place parchment paper or wax paper on the drying trays so the peel does not fall through the openings in the tray. The pieces should not touch or overlap because this will slow down the drying process.

Dried lemon peel is lemon zest that has been dehydrated, so it's a fantastic lemon zest substitute. That said, the flavor is much more intense, so use two-thirds less dried lemon peel than the zest called for in a recipe. In other words, if you need 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, use 1/3 tablespoon of dried lemon peel.

Dehydrate the orange peels in the sun, or alternatively in a dehydrator for up to 24 hours. You can also use a conventional oven set to its lowest temperature for six hours. Place the dehydrated orange peels in a blender and combine until they become a fine powder. Store in the fridge until you're ready to use.

If you have dried lemon peel in your pantry, it can also stand in for fresh lemon zest. Since the flavor is more concentrated than fresh zest, use one-third as much as the recipe calls for. So, if your recipe calls for a tablespoon, you'll want to use one teaspoon of dried peels.

Dried orange peel or lemon peel can be used to make your own DIY co*cktail bitters or homemade vermouth. Add them to a mulling spices mix for making aromatic hot mulled cider or mulled wine (vin brulé). Homemade mulling spices make a great holiday gift. Add dried citrus peel to a marinade or salad dressing.

The citrus flesh will still be slightly tacky, but once they cool they will be brittle. How do you store Dehydrated Citrus? Store in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. Once you see that the color has faded significantly, that is a good time to throw them out and replace them.

One of the primary health benefits of dried lemon peels is their high content of vitamin C, which is known for its immune-boosting properties. Consuming beverages infused with dried lemon peels can help support a healthy immune system.

Store the dried citrus in a cool, dark place. It should last nearly indefinitely, though color and flavor may fade over time. However, if you begin to see moisture again after a long while of storing these or notice a strong smell from the fruit, it may be time to throw it out and dehydrate another batch.

What is the best temp to dehydrate citrus? ›

Use a sharp mandoline to slice the citrus fruits into uniformly sized pieces. Spread in a single layer on the trays of your dehydrator. Dehydrate at 135f for about 12 hours – you'll know they are done when they are crispy, but chewy once cooled. Store in an airtight container for up to a month.

Once dried, the lemon zest will keep in an airtight container for 6-12 months. Please make sure the container is airtight, as any moisture in the air can make the peel soft, and then it can go bad.

Because zest occupies such a small amount of space, a toaster will suffice to dehydrate it. Whatever oven you use, set its temperature very low, around 170°F. Break the zest clumps up with a fork every 15 minutes and dehydrate for about 45 minutes total or until the zest has dried out.

Freezing citrus zest produces less waste and gives you a flavorful ingredient whenever you need it. Here's how to freeze zest, plus some favorite ways to use it.