Ginger is a flowering plant that is highly used as a spice in most homes across the world. Besides this, ginger is used for various medicinal purposes in most families. But instead of using it fresh always, do you know that ginger can be used in a dried form as well? It is easy and straightforward to get dehydrating ginger using different ways at home for various purposes.
You need to follow some convenient methods we have mentioned in this article to dry ginger at home without wasting much of your energy.
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Table of Contents
4 Easy Methods to Dehydrate Ginger
If you are wondering about How to Dry Ginger at Home, we listed five easy methods you can give a try.
As you look for dehydrated ginger for cooking purposes, you can make it freely at home without putting in much effort. And here are some of the simple methods you can consider to dry ginger on your own and then use it.
1. Use A Food Dehydrator
Drying ginger at home has become easy with food dehydrators. All you need to do is to follow the simple steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Wash the ginger
- Take the ginger roots and wash them properly to get rid of the dirt.
Step 2: Peel and Slice the ginger
- Then peel the rhizomes with a peeler or knife, whichever is convenient for you.
- Once you are done with peeling, you are going to cut the ginger into thin slices.
Step 3: Place it in Dehydrator Tray
- Now, take the dehydrator tray and put the slices on it. Make sure that they are not touching each other to ensure uniform dehydration of ginger.
- Set the dehydrator to 135°F and keep the dehydrating ginger for about 3-4 hours.
Step 4: Once Dried Cool It
- After 3-4 hours, check the brittleness of slices by taking one in hand, and bend it to see if it breaks easily. And if this happens, take out the tray because your dry ginger is ready.
Now, let it cool for 5-10 minutes before using it.
2. Use Microwave
If you don’t have a food dehydrator at your home, you can also use a microwave to dehydrate ginger. It takes less time and energy to get done with the job. To answer your question on ”How to dry ginger in a microwave”, follow the below steps.
And to do so, you are going to follow some below-mentioned simple steps:
Step 1: Wash, Peel and Slice the ginger
- Take the ginger and wash it with cold water to remove the dirt.
- Take a peeler and peel off the rhizomes to prepare the ginger for dehydration.
- Then, cut the ginger into slices of the same size to make the dehydration process easy and quick.
Step 2: Place the Ginger Slice in the Microwave
- Take a plate that can be used in a microwave or take a microwave’s tray to lay the slices in a way that they don’t touch or overlap each other.
- Now you microwave the slices of ginger for around one and a half minutes to let them dry and turn crispy as potato chips. Also, keep a close eye on the slices to avoid over-drying them.
Step 3: Once Dried, Cool It
- If the slices are dry, take them out and let them cool down for 5-10 minutes.
- And once they are cool, you are all set to use them.
- Enjoy the dried ginger chips.
3. Use An Oven
Looking for another method on “How to dry Ginger at Home”? Another method for dehydrating ginger is using an oven. Though it will take a bit more time than a microwave, the steps are easy to follow.
Step 1: Wash, Peel and Slice the ginger
- Take the ginger and wash it well under the running cold water.
- Then remove the skin of the ginger with a knife or peeler.
- Now cut the ginger into thin slices so that it is easy to dehydrate them.
- Then place the slices on the oven’s tray and make sure you leave enough space between them for even drying.
Step 2: Place ginger slice in the Oven
- Set the oven at the lowest temperature to make sure that you get the desired results.
- Also, leave the oven door open to ensure enough air circulation necessary for dehydrating ginger. You can even place a fan in front of the oven for the movement of air.
Step 3: Bake the Slice on the Low Temperature
- Then, bake the slices for around 10-15 hours and turn the sides every 3 hours to ensure even the slices’ drying.
- To know if they are ready, break one slice, and if it breaks easily, your dried ginger slices are prepared.
Step 4: Cool and Store in an Airtight Container
- After taking them out of the oven, leave them to cool down first. And then, put the ginger slices in an airtight container to place them in a cool and dry place.
4. Sun-Drying Ginger
If you want, you can also dry ginger naturally, i.e., drying it under sunlight. It is one of the oldest and safest methods to go for, even though it is time-consuming.
And to do so, here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Clean, Peel and Slice the ginger
- You are going to take the ginger and clean it with cold water.
- You will then peel its skin to prepare it for the dehydration process.
- Now, cut the ginger into thin slices so that drying them becomes easy.
Step 2: Remove the moisture from the ginger slice
- You will now take a tray and clean it to cover it with a clean cloth further. The fabric will help in absorbing the moisture of the ginger slices during the dehydration process.
Step 3: Place the slice on the Tray
- Take the slices, and place them on the tray leaving enough space between them for even drying.
- Once you are done with setting the slices on the tray, cover it with clear glass. It will help in speeding up the process and keep the bugs away from slices.
Step 4: Keep in under the Direct Sunlight for 1 or 2 days
- Now make sure that the tray of slices is getting direct sunlight of 6-7 hours every day and avoid keeping it outside when the weather is humid.
- It will take you 1-2 days to dry the slices. Do change the sides of the slices in every 2 hours to get the best results.
Step 5: Once Dried, Store it in Glass Jar
- Once you feel like the slices are dry, take one and try to break it. If it breaks easily, your dried ginger is ready to use.
- If you are looking for ways of ‘how to dry fresh ginger,’ follow the natural method.
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5. Freeze Dehydrating
Also known as lyophilization, this freeze dehydrating method is another way you can consider for dehydrating ginger.
It involves the following simple steps:
Step 1: Clean, Peel and Slice the ginger
- Again you are going to clean the ginger under running water.
- Peel the skin and cut the ginger into thin slices. Also, they need to be of the same size.
Step 2: Place the Slice in the Freezer for 1 or 2 weeks
- Place the slices on the freezing tray and do not let them touch or overlap each other.
- Cover the tray with a clean cloth. You can even use aluminum foil instead of the cloth for covering the tray.
- Put the tray in the freezer and let it stay in there for around 1-2 weeks for the drying process.
Step 3: Once the Ginger Slices are Dried, Store them into Airtight Container
- Keep on checking the ginger slices every few days. And when you feel that the slices are dry, take one slice in hand and try to break it. If it happens easily, your dehydrating ginger slices are ready to use and store.
So, these are some of the amazing and effective methods on how to dehydrate ginger. You need to follow the steps carefully to get the desired results.
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How to store dehydrated Ginger
After drying the ginger, the main concern is how to store the dried ginger. You can try one of the following ways to store the dried or dehydrated ginger.
- You can store the dried ginger in ziplock pouches or airtight containers for long life. Also, make sure that you are placing them in a dry and well-ventilated place to avoid molds.
- But, make sure that you are storing them in a properly sealed container. Keep the slices in a cool and dry place for durability. The place needs to be well-ventilated as well.
- You can store it in a glass jar or any airtight container. Keep it in a cool and dry place for durability.
- You can store them in vapor-proof freezer cartons or heavy-duty freezer bags. They have a life of around one year in the freezer. This is one of the preferred ways of drying ginger.
Find out here the 15 Amazing Health Benefits Of Ginger & Its Side-Effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few FAQs about dried ginger.
1. What is dried ginger good for?
Dried ginger improves digestion and increases metabolism. The consumption of a few dried ginger slices helps to burn the stored fats and speeds up the weight loss process. It also has the ability to curb hunger and stop binge eating.
2. How much raw ginger should I eat a day?
The daily limit of ginger is around 4 grams. Anything more than the daily limit can cause side effects such as stomach-related issues and kidney issues.
3. Can you eat dried ginger?
Dried ginger is safe to consume. Historically, dried ginger was used for medicinal purposes. It can be consumed raw or can be added to dishes to enhance its flavor.
4. Is dried ginger the same as fresh?
Dried ginger has a more intense flavor as compared to fresh ginger.
5. Can you use dried ginger in tea?
Yes, absolutely! Dried ginger can be used while preparing tea.
Final Words
If you want to add dry ginger to your kitchen, you can follow some simple dehydrating ginger methods we have mentioned in this article to try on your own. You need to make sure that you follow the steps carefully and then store the dry slices in an airtight container to last long.
Disclaimer – This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any dietary changes.
