Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Red Cabbage?
Yes, you can freeze red cabbage and they can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. The key is to blanch them first and their portion or flash freeze them. You can freeze them in Ziploc bags or freezer-safe air-tight containers.
If you are looking to freeze and store red cabbage, this comprehensive guide has got you covered. I have found these methods and tips to work out wonderfully.
Let’s get started.
How to Freeze Red Cabbage?
Blanching and freezing red cabbage is the most recommended way of going about keeping the red cabbage fresh for long in the freezer.
Materials
- Red Cabbage
- Boiling Water
Tools
- Ice Bath
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
Instructions
- Clean and Prep: Thoroughly wash the red cabbage and get rid of any layers that are damaged. Then cut them up into rough slices or shreds or wedges as you prefer.
- Blanch: Put the cut red cabbage into a pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes and cook them. Then transfer the cabbage into an ice bath to stop any further cooking.
- Drain and Portion: Once you drain all the water out, you can portion it into single serving portions that you can easily consume in one go.
- Pack and Seal: Pack the portions of red cabbage into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them in. Make sure to squeeze out all the extra air if you are using a Ziploc bag.
- Label and Freeze: add a label on the bag with the best before date and you are all set.
Check out this YouTube video by “Phyllis Stokes and Sons” to see how it is done -
Freezing Red Cabbage after Flash Freezing Them
Time Taken: 15 – 20 minutes
What you will need:
- Red Cabbage
- Boiling Water
- Ice Bath
- Kitchen Towel
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Ziploc Bag
Although this method takes a few extra steps, it will be worth it to be able to remove a handful without having to thaw the whole batch.
Clean and Prep
Once you get rid of the damaged layers of cabbage, clean it and cut it to the preferred size and shape.
Blanch and Dry
Blanch the red cabbage by adding it into a pot of boiling water for a minute or two and then transferring it into an ice bath. Once it cools down, dry it thoroughly using a kitchen towel.
Lay Out
Spread the red cabbage out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and make sure that they are evenly spaced and not clumped together.
Flash Freeze
Leave the tray of cabbage in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let them freeze solid.
Pack and Seal
Transfer the frozen red cabbage into a Ziploc bag and seal the in, after squeezing out all the extra air inside.
Label and Seal
Once you add a label with the best before date on it, you are all set to freeze the red cabbage for the long term.
Freezing Cooked Red Cabbage
Time Taken: 5 minutes
What you will need:
- Red Cabbage
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
Whether you like to braise it or make some other recipe out of it, here is how you can freeze the cooked red cabbage.
Cook and Cool
Cook the red cabbage to your preference and then let it cool down to room temperature.
Portion It
Divide the cooked red cabbage into portions that you can easily manage to consume in one go.
Pack and Seal
Transfer the portions of cooked red cabbage into a freezer-safe air-tight container and seal them in.
Label and Freeze
Add a label on the container with the best before date and you can leave it in the freezer till you need it next.
How Long Can You Freeze Red Cabbage?
You can freeze red cabbage for up to 3 months. But keep in mind that the red cabbage deteriorates in texture and quality the longer it stays in the freezer. So, it is best to consume it sooner rather than later.
The key to keeping the red cabbage fresh for long in the freezer is to blanch it beforehand.
If you freeze the red cabbage without blanching, it can lose its texture and taste much faster and will only be fresh for a couple of weeks.
How to Store Frozen Red Cabbage?
You can store frozen red cabbage in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. The key is to keep air out of the container or bag and protect it from freezer burns.
When exposed to air, the red cabbage can lose out on its water content and can lose its texture and taste.
If you are pressed for freezer space and have a large batch of red cabbage to freeze, then it is best to opt for Ziploc bags over freezer-safe containers.
The Ziplocs allow you to freeze large quantities compactly by laying them down flat on top of each other. It is also best to freeze wedges of red cabbage without taking up too much space.
How to Defrost Red Cabbage?
The best way to defrost red cabbage is to take out the portion you need and leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight to let it thaw gradually.
If you are in a hurry, you could fasten the defrosting step by leaving the bag or container in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours.
But if you plan to cook the frozen red cabbage, you can skip the thawing and add it directly into your recipe.
Although it may take some extra cook time; it will work just as well as fresh red cabbage.
Can You Refreeze Red Cabbage?
No, it is strongly advised not to refreeze red cabbage. The red cabbage changes in texture once it thaws. This will only worsen with each repeated freezing and thawing.
Moreover, it also increases the chance of bacterial buildup. So, it is best to use up the red cabbage once it thaws.
To avoid having to refreeze or waste the red cabbage once it thaws, you can flash freeze the shreds or slices first, so that you can pull out just the right amount instead of thawing the whole batch.
You could also portion the cabbage beforehand into easy-to-manage quantities.
Does Red Cabbage Freeze Well?
Yes, red cabbage freezes well. Although fresh red cabbage is any day better than the frozen version, freezing it is the best way to extend the shelf life of red cabbage and make the most of it at your convenience.
Red cabbage freezes best once it has been blanched than when it is frozen raw.
Keep in mind that the frozen cabbage will not have the same texture as fresh red cabbage, so it would be best to cook with it than eat it raw.
FAQs
Although you can use frozen red cabbage to make coleslaw, it is best to make the coleslaw with fresh red cabbage and then freeze it instead. Because the red cabbage once it thaws, will not be as crunchy or fresh as we would like for a coleslaw, as it can lose its water content and change in texture.
Bottom Line
I hope this article helped you freeze and store red cabbage for longer.
If you have any doubts or want to share some tips and tricks of your own, it would be great to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with your friends and family to help them out with their cabbage situation.