Shelf stable meal kits for slow cooker applications, the meal kits including a dehydrated vegetable product characterized by having an exterior surface composed of a hardened, closed cell structure. The invention further provides shelf stable meal kits for slow cooker applications, the meal kits including a dehydrated vegetable product having a vitreous like material on 25% or more of the surface area of the vegetable product. Further provided are shelf stable meal kits for slow cooker applications that include a dehydrated vegetable product having a stabilizing amount of a stabilizer. Methods for rehydrating dehydrated vegetables, as well as methods for preparing meal kits for slow cooker applications are also provided.