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The Ultimate Guide to Freeze-Dried Food: Benefits, Uses, and Everything You Need to Know

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience and nutrition must go hand-in-hand. One product that has gained significant popularity over the years for its long shelf life, ease of storage, and nutritional value is freeze-dried food. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a survivalist, or simply looking for an efficient way to preserve your meals, freeze-dried food is an excellent option. But what exactly is freeze-dried food? and how does it benefit you?

In this post, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about freeze-dried food, including its benefits, uses, and why it’s quickly becoming a staple in so many households in North America and Europe, with new facilities springing up in Central and South America, Asia, and even Africa.

Have you wondered about any of these common questions people ask about Freeze Dried foods? What is freeze-dried food? – How does freeze-drying preserve food? – Is it safe to eat? – How long does freeze-dried food last? – Can freeze-dried food be rehydrated easily? – How does freeze-dried food compare in nutrition as fresh food? – How do I store freeze-dried food properly? – Are there any preservatives in freeze-dried food? – How do freeze-dried meals compare to dehydrated meals? – What is the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated food?

What is Freeze-Dried Food?

Freeze-drying is a preservation process where food is frozen and then placed in a vacuum, causing the ice in the food to turn directly into vapor without going through the liquid phase. This process removes moisture from the food, leaving it lightweight and shelf-stable while retaining much of the food’s original nutrients, flavour, and texture.

How ’bout: 1. How do you rehydrate freeze-dried food? 2. Can you eat freeze-dried food without rehydrating it? 3. How much water do you need to rehydrate freeze-dried food? 4. How long does it take to rehydrate freeze-dried food? 5. Can you cook freeze-dried food? 6. Can freeze-dried food be used in recipes? 7. Is freeze-dried food suitable for camping and hiking?

All good questions, and very common for the beginner. In order, here are some brief answers: 1. You dehydrate dehydrated foods. You REFRESH freeze dried food. Foods that are thicker or harder, need a little more time. Foods that are delicate refresh very quickly. 2. Can you eat it without refreshing. Absolutely, in fact its a popular way to eat it – right outta the can, as a snack. 3. How much water do you need? NOT much. Generally you barely cover the food with water. 4. Let sit from a couple minutes to up to about 30 minutes, depending on what it is. Then drain. seconds to several minutes. 5. Can you cook with it? Absolutely. And it will take a lot less time. 6. Can it be used in recipes? For sure! Use it the same way you would fresh, except adjust water content, and get used to dinner being ready a lot sooner than before. 7. Is it suitable for camping or hiking? 100%! So lightweight, easy to snack on or to refresh.

Unlike traditional drying methods like air drying or dehydrating, freeze-drying maintains MORE of the original food’s nutritional content because the process takes place at low temperatures, ensuring that heat-sensitive vitamins and minerals are preserved.

The Benefits of Freeze-Dried Food

freeze dried foods compared to the same food purchased in a grocery store IF those fruits were picked ripe when all phytonutrients are developed,
AND flash frozen within 4 hours of harvest

  1. Long Shelf Life
    One of the primary advantages of freeze-dried food is its exceptional shelf life. Since freeze-dried food contains hardly any moisture, it can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years (depending on storage conditions). This makes it an ideal choice for emergency preparedness, survival kits, and long-term food storage.
  2. Lightweight and Compact
    The freeze-drying process removes up to 98% of the food’s water content, making it incredibly lightweight and easy to pack. This is why it’s commonly used for camping, hiking, and backpacking. With freeze-dried meals, you can carry a substantial amount of food without the bulk.
  3. Retains Nutrients
    Commonly asked questions:
    1. Does freeze-dried food lose vitamins or minerals during the process? Freeze-dried food retains much of its original nutritional value. The preservation process preserves essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring that you get the same nutritional benefits as fresh food.
    2. Is freeze-dried food suitable for people with food allergies or sensitivities? ABSOLUTELY. For all intents and purpose, it is just as if it was fresh.
    3. Are freeze-dried meals low in calories? Nope. Not any more or less than the original food because as soon as you refresh them. they are the same thing.
    4. Can freeze-dried food be part of a balanced diet? You Bet!
    5. Is freeze-dried food suitable for babies or toddlers? It is a perfect choice for infants – right from early baby foods.

    So, whether you’re enjoying freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, or meals, you’re still getting a healthy option.
  4. Convenience and Easy to Prepare
    Freeze-dried food is easy to prepare. To rehydrate, you simply add water to the freeze-dried food and wait a few minutes for it to return to its original state. This ease of preparation makes freeze-dried meals perfect for busy individuals or anyone who doesn’t feel they have the time to wash, peel, and chop – not to mention the following clean up.
  5. Variety and Versatility
    Freeze-dried food isn’t limited to just fruits and vegetables. You can find a wide range of dairy, proteins, and even freeze-dried meals, including full entrees like pasta dishes, soups, and even desserts. This variety ensures that you have plenty of options to choose from when meal planning or prepping.

How Freeze-Dried Food is Used

  1. Emergency Preparedness and Survival Kits
    One of the most common uses for freeze-dried food is in emergency preparedness. Whether you’re planning for a natural disaster, power outage, or an unforeseen event, having freeze-dried meals on hand ensures you’ll have access to nutritious food when you need it most. Freeze-dried food is a crucial component of survival kits and bug-out bags due to its long shelf life and ease of transport.
  2. Outdoor Adventures (Camping, Hiking, Backpacking)
    Outdoor enthusiasts swear by freeze-dried food because it’s lightweight, compact, and convenient. Carrying bulky canned goods or fresh produce on a hiking or camping trip isn’t practical. Freeze-dried meals, however, offer an easy, lightweight alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition. Plus, with an array of options available, you can enjoy a variety of meals while out in the wilderness.
  3. Everyday Meals and Convenience
    Freeze-dried food is becoming more popular for everyday use. Busy families and professionals can rely on freeze-dried meals as a quick and easy solution for lunch or dinner. With no need for refrigeration and a long shelf life, freeze-dried food is a pantry staple that’s always ready when you need it.
  4. Travel
    Whether you’re traveling abroad or going on a road trip, freeze-dried food can be a lifesaver. It doesn’t require refrigeration, making it perfect for those who need portable, nutritious meals while on the go. Simply pack a few freeze-dried meals, and you’ll always have something healthy to eat no matter where you are.

How to Store Freeze-Dried Food

Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life of freeze-dried food. To keep your food fresh for as long as possible, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. When storing the food you freeze dried yourself, a vacuum-sealed container or mylar bag with oxygen absorbers is an excellent choice for long-term storage. This helps protect the food from moisture, oxygen, and light, all of which can reduce its shelf life.

The Future of Freeze-Dried Food

As people’s needs for convenient, nutritious, and long-lasting food grow, the freeze-dried food industry will continue expanding. More companies are investing in freeze-drying technology to offer a broader range of food options, from gourmet meals to organic produce. Innovations are being made to improve the taste, texture, and variety of freeze-dried food, making it even more appealing to a wider audience.

Cost & Accessibility

  1. Is freeze-dried food more expensive than regular food?
    All food these days is shockingly expensive. Freeze dried food looks like it cost more, and in most situations it is. But the the thing to remember is: there is zero waste, and no trim. That ends up being quite economical.
  2. Where can I buy freeze-dried food?
    See below.
  3. Can I freeze-dry my own food at home?
    You sure can. See below.
  4. What brands make the best freeze-dried food?
    In my opionion, I prefer the quality and fresh taste of THRIVE LIFE foods.
  5. How do I know if freeze-dried food is high quality?
    Stick to the brands with accountability. Look at reviews. Listen to personal recommendations and referrals.

so if freeze dried food is so wonderful, why don’t you freeze dry yourself?

Yes I’ve been asked that before. Many times in fact. And I admit it must seem incongruous when considering how fully I advocate a self reliant lifestyle. I garden organically. I feed my family ‘garden-fresh’ as much as possible. I can, freeze, dehydrate, and ferment. I juice, and I pickle, I make my own bread, and grind my own flour. And yet . . . . I do not freeze dry. I BUY my freeze dried food. Where is the harmony in the lifestyle I choose when I choose to buy my freeze dried food instead of freeze drying it myself? You’re not the first to ask.

The truth is – I’ve considered it. I’ve looked very closely as a matter of fact. And if I thought for one minute that I could do a better job than what I’ve already found – I’d BE that person. But these are the facts that influence my decision to continue doing what I am currently doing.

  1. After trying multiple different brands of freeze dried food over the years, I finally settled on THRIVE LIFE. I was first introduced to it in 2008. I began purchasing it in 2009 – primarily for food storage. But while acquiring it as a storage food, I learned about it’s nutritional superiority – which validated my personal choice in a big way, but still didn’t influence my day to day meal preparation. I continued buying groceries the same way I always had, making meals the same way I always had.
    One day, while throwing some mushy peppers from the fridge to my compost pail – I was struck by the ridiculousness of what I was doing. I thought to myself “I KNOW that I have the most nutritious food on the planet downstairs. I know it will last at least 25 years, and I also know it will last me a year in the pantry once I open it. And I know we LIKE it. And yet, I continue buying groceries the same way I always have, knowing its not as fresh as I once thought it was, and throwing out too much of it because I didn’t get TO IT in time. There is something really wrong with this picture.” That moment was a defining moment, a fork in the road you might say, and everything changed after it. I decided to learn how to use it; and that choice opened up a whole new world. A wonderful new world.
  2. I have confidence in the quality of THRIVE LIFE freeze dried food. And after 16 years (and counting), I never cease to be impressed – sometimes even amazed.
  3. They have a guarantee that is pretty compelling; they call it their NUTRILOCK GUARANTEE. In a nutshell, the Nutrilock Guarantee is a 40+ step process that they never compromise, ensuring the highest quality. Like for instance: they meet with the growers and suppliers to ensure they continue to meet their high standards of production, including soil conditions and overall processes. They verify that each supplier follows strict food safety plans, they work with customers and consultants to design products that are desired and relevant for today. They use ONLY Grade A products. They prohibit foods from companies or countries that don’t meet their strict food standards. They do not use any artificial colours, flavours, sulfites, MSG, or hydrogenated oils. When possible, they select products that are Non-GMO and gluten-free. They verify that each harvest takes place at the peak time frame of ripeness. They flash freeze produce within 2-4 hours of harvest to maximize flavour and lock in nutrients. . . . . . .
    click HERE to see more
  4. Because of all these factors, I simply do not believe I can duplicate the quality.
    *I have a productive backyard garden, and from it, we eat pretty much all our vegetables and most of our fruits during the season. But we live in a city, and cannot produce enough to feed our family the whole year.
  5. I ‘put-up’ all the excess from our garden. But I’d have a hard time getting it from the garden to the freezer inside of four hours. I might get some of it from the garden to the table in a short time if I really set myself to accomplish it. I can get it from the garden to the kitchen counter inside of four hours, but I don’t think I could pick it, wash it, chop it, bag it and label it, and have it in the freezer in that amount of time.
  6. Everything begins deteriorating in the hour it’s harvested so you’re in a race with the clock. Every hour I don’t get it taken care of means more nutrients lost.
  7. I can’t possibly grow the variety of vegetable that I can buy through THRIVE LIFE: like broccoli, corn, green beans, kale, mushrooms, onions, peas, three different peppers, spinach, squash, tomatoes and zucchini. Or fruits like: apples, bananas, four kinds of berries, peaches, pineapple, mangoes and cherries. Not the mention the dairy and meat products.
  8. If I can’t grow them, that means I’m purchasing them from the grocery store. But since I live in central Alberta, that means I’m buying them a week or two or three after they were harvested – ‘unripe’. What would be the point of that?
  9. I figure if I had to buy them TO freeze dry, I might as well buy them freeze dried already.
  10. Considering the price of a good quality freeze dryer, I’d have to save a lot of money on the food, before I reached the break even point – while simultaneously not compromising the quality of the food I’m processing.

I just don’t believe I could do better than what THRIVE LIFE is providing.
I’m sure there are some who might be able to. But I know myself, and I know what my garden can produce. I also know I’ll get busy out there when I’m picking produce, and by the time I get it all in the kitchen, the clock will be ticking, and by the time I get it on trays and into the freezer (the first step in the process), I’ll be past the four hours THRIVE LIFE ensures. I also know that I don’t have scads of room in my freezer at any given time for trays of food that need to be frozen before they can go into the freeze dryer. I also know I don’t grow bananas, pineapple, mangoes, peaches, cranberries, or lots of other things I like – and I’m not buying them from the grocery store, to go into the freeze drier. If it comes to that, I’ll buy them already preserved.

Those are my personal reasons for continuing to purchase the food instead of freeze drying it myself, but I fully support someone else’s decision to do different. We’ve all gotta do the best we can do.

conclusion

Freeze-dried food is a game-changer for anyone looking for convenient, nutritious, and long-lasting food options. Whether you’re prepping for an emergency, heading out on an adventure, or you simply need an easy meal solution right now, it’s got you covered. With its impressive shelf life, lightweight nature, and ease of preparation, it’s no wonder that freeze-dried food is becoming a staple in homes, 72 hour bags and survival kits across the globe.

If you haven’t yet explored the world of freeze-dried food, now is the time to start. Whether you’re looking to add to your home food storage, your kitchen pantry or you’re embarking on your next outdoor journey – freeze-dried food is the perfect companion for your adventures.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

ps – I loved Thrive Life freeze dried food so much, I decided to become a consultant!
To learn more about it, click this link: https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/all-products.html#freeze-dried-meals

I teach workshops on how to use it, including a LIVE Cooking show I do with some friends on ZOOM once a month. Always the 2nd Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm mountain time, we give four recipe demonstrations featuring the food that is currently on sale. We have a Q&A at the end, and the main body of it is recorded so we can share it later. We even have draws for prizes just to make it more fun. Mark your calendar right now for the 2nd Thursday of every month. 2:00 sharp Mountain time (adjust to your time). I hope you’ll sit in some time. Here’s the link to join me. The passcode is ThriveEx

Hey friends! 👋 Join me for a LIVE Cooking Show where we will be whipping up some easy, mouthwatering meals using freeze-dried ingredients that will change the way you think about cooking!
🌟 What’s in it for you?
✅ See how to make quick, tasty meals in minutes
✅ Get exclusive tips on saving time & money in the kitchen
✅WIN PRIZES! 🎁
✅ Bring a friend (or two!) and get extra chances to win!
Zoom Link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/4033604361 Password: ThriveEx

Cindy

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is it Pizza? or is it Quiche?

Sometimes its simply a matter of looking OUTSIDE the proverbial box. This quick quiche loaded with protein and vegetables is eaten like a pizza. I call it QUICHE PIZZA, and it is a delicious, nutritious dinner that you hope to have leftovers of so you can eat it for lunch again tomorrow! It’s just as good cold.

This recipe serves four people with two eggs each. I use a family sized pie plate and two tortillas. If you want to make less in a smaller pie plate, just adjust accordingly. Shoot for two eggs per person, and the rest is up to you.

The vegetables:
Use what you have on hand. I like to use chopped onions, red peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and of course spinach. I add spinach to almost everything it seems. These are vegetables I always have on hand because I mostly use freeze dried vegetables – but if you have fresh out of your garden, AWESOME! Use those.

ingredients:
8 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese, beaten into the egg mixture
2 large tortillas
seasoning salt of your choice
assorted vegetables, suggested: diced red peppers, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, broccoli flowerets, spinach
shredded cheddar or blend of cheddar and pepper jack

directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat eggs till frothy
Add cottage cheese and beat it into eggs till well blended
Arrange tortillas in a large pie plate. Cut the 2nd one into half or even quarters to arrange in pie plate making sure all of the plate is covered.
Pour egg mixture in.
Assuming you’re using the same vegetables I use, begin by arranging about 1/2 – 3/4 cup mushroom slices in the bottom of the egg mixture.
Sprinkle about 1/4 cup chopped onions on top of them.
Sprinkle about 3/4 cup red pepper slices over top of the onions.
Arrange small broccoli flowerets in some empty places between the red peppers.
Sprinkle a layer of spinach on top of everything else. I put quite a bit on (about a cup of freeze dried spinach)
If using freeze dried vegetables, use a fork to gently submerge all vegetables into the egg mixture so that they’re moistened by it.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add a layer of shredded cheese. Be generous. 1-2 cups.

Place into heated oven in the middle rack, and set the timer for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes test the middle to see that it is no longer liquid – ‘jiggly’.
If it needs a few more minutes, lower the heat to 325 and lay a sheet of aluminum over top to prevent the tortilla crust from over cooking.

Watch it carefully at this point so that you don’t over cook it. When the center is firm, remove from oven and let the ‘pizza’ rest on a rack for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from pan and cut into wedges as for a pizza. Serve. Enjoy.
You can eat it with your hands, and it’s pizza so DO.

Here’s my Secret: When I make this quiche pizza (or anything similar to it), unless I have fresh garden vegetables, I use freeze dried vegetables. But not just any freeze dried vegetables. After trying many different brands over the years, I now use Thrive Life freeze dried vegetables. There’s a good reason for that, and its a very important one to me (actually a few good reasons, but I’ll tell you five of them).

1. Thrive Life guarantees that their produce is picked ripe (at the peak of what nature intended that fruit or vegetable to be), AND guarantees that in less than six hours from harvest (usually two to four hours), that produce is washed peeled, chopped and flash frozen! Locking in the colour, texture, taste and ALL the natural goodness. In that frozen state (-40 degrees Celsius), it is transferred to a facility where it has all the remaining moisture removed without it thawing. That’s the second step in the two-step process of freeze drying.

2. Thrive Life fruits and vegetables are as organic as you can get without them being ‘certified’ organic. They monitor the process of planting, growing, harvesting, freeze drying and packaging from beginning to end. It’s part of what they call their NUTRILOCK Guarantee and its something they take very seriously.

3. Because of this attention to detail, Thrive Life foods are the BEST in the world and that is no empty claim. They have always been the best, but as of the beginning of 2024, they are also the biggest freeze dried company in the world. They literally are “Fresher-than-Fresh”, or what we frequently refer to as ‘fresh’ – the produce in our grocery stores, which are picked green if possible and are subjected to long travel times to get to us – anything but ‘fresh’.

4. Thrive Life freeze dried food has a 25 year shelf life, making it the most dependable, shelf stable, nutritious food on the market – the perfect choice for anyone interested in emergency preparedness, and long term food storage. So that means I always have fruits and vegetables in the pantry, ready any time I might decide I’d like to have spinach in my homemade quiche, or cheese on a homemade quiche, or mangoes in our yogurt, or blueberries on top of cereal or . . . . . well, the list is endless. And its always there because once you open that can, you can count on it being perfectly good for about a year afterward.

5. The other important reason I use Thrive Life freeze dried food is the convenience. Those vegetables are already washed and chopped. I just sprinkle the onions from the can, distribute the sliced mushrooms or red peppers from the can, add a layer of spinach from the can. It’s quick and easy. And guess what else? They even have freeze dried eggs! I literally had this recipe ready to go into the oven in less that ten minutes. With zero mess!

There now you have it. My secret. How I do things. And make no mistake – I’m all about down home goodness, and doing things from scratch. These are not ‘processed foods’. These are CLEAN, WHOLE FOODS and nothing but. Making dinner from scratch still counts even when you’re using freeze dried food. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

I hope you’ll try this easy recipe for a great dinner, lunch or brunch. Whether you use garden fresh, freeze dried or a mixture of both as I do much of the time.

Let me know what you think.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

Here are some links that are worth looking into:
Freeze Dried Eggs – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/dried-egg.html
Freeze Dried Chopped Onions – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/freeze-dried-chopped-onions-694.html
Freeze Dried Mushrooms – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/freeze-dried-mushroom-pieces.html
Freeze Dried Red Peppers – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/red-bell-peppers-freeze-dried.html
Freeze Dried Broccoli – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/dried-broccoli-689.html
Freeze Dried Spinach – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/freeze-dried-chopped-spinach.html
Freeze Dried Shredded Cheddar Cheese – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/shredded-cheddar-cheese.html
Freeze Dried Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/pepper-jack-cheese-freeze-dried.html
Chef’s Choice Seasoning – https://thrivewithcindy.canada.thrivelife.com/chef-s-choice-can.html