Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Cauliflower?
Yes, you can freeze cauliflower, and it can last in the freezer for up to 6 months. The best way to keep them frozen for long is to blanch and flash freeze them beforehand. Store them in freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags after portioning them.
Here is the ultimate guide on how to freeze and store cauliflower with ease.
These methods and tips have worked like a charm for me.
So, let’s get started.
Can You Freeze Cauliflower after Blanching Them?
Blanching and freezing is the most recommended method of freezing cauliflower. This method helps kill any bacteria on the cauliflower and also helps keep it fresh for a long.
Materials
- Cauliflower
- Boiling Water
- Ice Bath
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
Tools
- No special tools needed
Instructions
- Clean and Prep: Wash the cauliflower and cut them up into small florets.
If there are any dark brown spots, you can cut them off as well. - Blanch Them: Put the cauliflower florets into a pot of boiling water and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer the semi-cooked cauliflower into an ice bath to stop the cooking. - Dry and Lay Out: Pat-dry the cauliflowers and spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Make sure that the florets are not clumped together. - Flash Freeze: Leave the tray of cauliflower in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let them freeze solid.
- Portion and Pack: Divide the frozen cauliflowers into portions that you can easily manage in one meal.
Put these portions into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them. When using a Ziploc bag, try to squeeze out most of the air before sealing.
You can use a straw to do it easily. - Label and Freeze: Add a label in the container or bag with the date, and you are all set to freeze the cauliflower.
Freezing Cauliflower without Blanching Them
Time Taken: 5 – 10 minutes
What You Need:
- Cauliflower
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bags
If you are in a hurry, you could use this method to freeze any extra cauliflower.
Clean and Cut
Thoroughly clean the cauliflower and then cut them up into florets.
Spread Them Out
Lay the cauliflower florets onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them out evenly and not clumped together.
Flash Freeze
Leave the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight, and then let it freeze solid.
Portion and Pack
Portion the cauliflower into servings you can easily consume in one go and pack them into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag.
Seal, Label, and Freeze
Seal the container or bag, making sure to keep it air-tight. Add a label with the date, and you can leave it in the freezer till you need it next.
How to Freeze Cauliflower Rice?
Time Taken: 10 – 15 minutes
What You Need:
- Cauliflower
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
If you are looking to freeze cauliflower rice, this is the best way to go about it.
Clean and Cut
Clean the cauliflower and cut them into florets. Remove the thick stalky parts and the brown spots.
Prep the Rice
Using an electric blender, chop up the cauliflower florets into rice grains.
Lay them Out
Spread the cauliflower rice on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Make sure that they are evenly spread out.
Flash Freeze
Leave the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours to let the cauliflower rice freeze solid.
Portion and Pack
Divide the frozen cauliflower rice into portions that you would use in one meal and pack them into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags.
Seal, Label, and Freeze
Seal the container or Ziploc bag and add a label on them with the date.
You are now all set to freeze the cauliflower rice.
You could watch this cool tutorial by “Lindsey Dietz” on YouTube to see how it’s done-
How Long Can You Freeze Cauliflower?
You can freeze cauliflower for up to 6 months.
If you are freezing cauliflower rice, it will last in the freezer for 2 months.
It is best to freeze the cauliflower after blanching them if you want them to last longer.
Cauliflower frozen without blanching is best consumed within a couple of months.
Although cauliflower can last long in the freezer, it would be best to consume them sooner rather than later.
The longer it stays in the freezer, the mushier it can get once it thaws.
How to Store Frozen Cauliflower?
You can store frozen cauliflower in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag.
The key is to keep them covered from being exposed to air.
Of the two options, the Ziploc bags would be best if you are looking to save space in the freezer.
You can stack them one on top of the other and store them compactly. Ziploc bags are also ideal if you are freezing cauliflower rice.
How to Defrost Cauliflower?
The best way to defrost cauliflower would be to leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and let them thaw gradually.
If you leave them out on the countertop to thaw quickly, they can get mushy.
So, it is best to thaw them in the fridge.
But if you plan to cook them, you could directly toss them into the dish without defrosting them.
In the case of cauliflower rice, you can thaw them in the fridge or cook them directly without thawing.
Can You Refreeze Cauliflowers?
No, it is best advised not to refreeze cauliflower.
When it thaws, it can lose water, and upon refreezing, it can get mushy and unappealing to eat.
Moreover, once it is left out, there are high chances of bacterial growth, making it spoil easily.
If you would like to avoid refreezing the cauliflower, you can portion them beforehand into manageable portions that you can consume in one sitting.
Does Cauliflower Freeze Well?
Yes, cauliflower freezes well, especially if it has been blanched before it is frozen.
It can last long in the freezer with little to no change in its texture or quality.
But if you have frozen the cauliflower without blanching them, it would be best to freeze them for a shorter period.
Keep in mind, the cauliflower can change in texture when it defrosts, so it’s best consumed within a couple of weeks.
FAQ
Yes, you can make cauliflower rice out of frozen cauliflower florets. You can throw them in an electric mixer and chop them into grains.
But it is best recommended to make the cauliflower rice and then freeze them since the texture of the cauliflower florets can change when they thaw.
Yes, you can freeze cauliflower cheese, and it can last for up to 6 months in the freezer. Once you make the cauliflower cheese, let it cool down to room temperature.
Then pack and seal them in a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag, and you can freeze them.
Bottom Line
I hope this article helped you freeze and store all that extra cauliflower in your pantry.
If you have any doubts or would like to share some tips and freezing methods of your own, it would be great to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with your friends and family.