Can you freeze cabbage? Yes you can
If you’re like me, then chances are you bought a whole head of cabbage for a recipe and ended up with some left over. With no plans to use it in the near future, I always wondered if I could freeze cabbage so I could use it later. Turns out it is easier than I thought. Read on for the right way to do that.
Benefits of freezing vegetables
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Freezing cabbage or any vegetables for that matter allows you to preserve their freshness, nutrition and natural flavors and cuts down on food waste. Also, with more Americans looking to cut costs, it is cost effective to buy veggies in bulk when prices are lower, such as when they are in season. By knowing how to freeze them, you can use up your stash throughout the year in recipes like cabbage and sausage or fried cabbage and bacon and not spend an extra money on vegetables.
How to freeze cabbage
Freezing cabbage stars with washing it and removing any outer leaves that might be damaged or wilted. I prefer to chop or shred the cabbage before freezing. This makes it easier for me to use it for coleslaw or stir-fry recipes later. You can also choose to separate the cabbage leaves from each other.
Next, you need to blanch the cabbage. This stops any enzyme activity that can cause loss of color, flavor and nutrients during freezing. Blanch involves submerging vegetables in a large pot of boiling water for about two minutes, then plunging them into an ice bath immediately to halt the cooking process. These steps help retain its crispness and color.
Finish up by draining and then drying the cabbage to remove excess moisture. Any moisture left behind could cause ice crystals to form.
You can freeze cabbage without blanching but I don’t recommend it. You risk changes in color, texture and taste compared to blanched frozen cabbage.
Storing the cabbage in the freezer
Divide the cabbage into portions that you will likely use in one go like Jere’ Cassidy of One Hot Oven does. “Before freezing it, I like to shred it into small pieces so it’s ready to add to stir-fries, soups or casseroles,” she explains. Use airtight freezer bags or containers and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Label the storage bags or containers with the date of freezing to help keep track of their freshness.
When stored at 0 F or below, frozen cabbage can retain its quality for about eight to 12 months. Though using it up within six to nine months is probably better for the best taste and texture.
Final thoughts
Freezing cabbage is a simple and effective method to preserve its freshness and nutritional value for an extended period. You can use these methods with all kinds of cabbage. Then, when you’re ready to use it later on, you’ll have lots of options. This includes making a coleslaw, using it as a topping on pulled pork sandwiches or one of these 9 cabbage dishes that elevate it from corned beef’s sad sidekick on St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.