Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Suet Dumplings?
Yes, you can freeze suet dumplings. You can freeze them for six months if they are raw and for 2 to three months if they are cooked. The key to freezing them is to portion and store them in freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags.
Here is the ultimate guide on how to make suet dumplings last a little while longer by freezing them.
These methods and tips have worked like a charm for several home cooks and me.
So, let’s get right into it.
How to Freeze Suet Dumplings?
It is best to have some suet dumplings at the ready in the freezer, which you can cook up and have hot and fresh.
Materials
- Suet Dumplings
- Baking Sheet
Tools
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
Instructions
- Perp and Lay: Make your favorite suet dumpling recipe and before you get to cooking them, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure that they are evenly spaced and don’t touch each other.
- Flash Freeze: Leave the tray of suet dumplings in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let it freeze solid.
- Pack and Seal: Transfer the frozen suet dumplings into a freezer-safe air-tight container and seal them in.
- Label and Freeze: Add a label on the container with the date, and you are good to go.
Freezing Suet Dumplings after Cooking Them
Time Taken: 5 – 10 minutes
What you will need:
- Suet Dumplings
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
In case you have some leftovers or made a big batch for later, you can freeze them after following these simple steps.
Prep and Cool
Make the suet dumplings and once they are cooked, let it cool down to room temperature.
Portion
Divide the suet dumplings into portions that you can easily manage to eat in one sitting.
Pack and Seal
Transfer the portions of suet dumplings into freezer-safe air-tight containers and seal them in. Don’t crowd the container and leave some room for it to expand.
Label and Freeze
Add a label on the container with the best before date, and you are all set to freeze the suet dumplings for a couple of months.
How Long Can You Freeze Suet Dumplings?
You can freeze suet dumplings for 2 to 3 months. If you are freezing uncooked suet dumplings it can last for much longer; up to 6 months.
But it is best to eat it up sooner rather than later to avoid freezer burns and loss of taste and flavor.
You can store the dumplings in the fridge for a couple of days if you plan to eat them sooner.
But to keep them fresh for longer, it is best to freeze them as soon as you have made them rather than keeping them in the fridge and then freezing them.
How to Store Frozen Suet Dumplings?
You can store frozen suet dumplings in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. The key is to make sure that the container can protect the suet dumplings from being exposed to air or freezer burns.
If you are pressed for freezer space and plan to store a big batch of suet dumplings, Ziploc bags are the best option.
You can pack large portions without taking up too much space and store them compactly. But take care not to pile other things on the bags of suet dumplings as they can get damaged.
How to Defrost Suet Dumplings?
To defrost the suet dumplings, take out the portion you need and leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight to let it thaw gradually.
Leave the dumplings covered so that any odor does not seep in.
If you are in a hurry, you can place the bag or container of suet dumplings in a bowl of cold water and leave it in there for an hour or two.
But keep in mind due to the meat content, it must be consumed immediately after defrosting using this method.
But the best part about raw suet dumplings is that you can directly add them to your stew, right out of the freezer, and it will cook quite well.
It might take a couple of minutes more of cook time, but it will taste just fine.
Can You Refreeze Suet Dumplings?
No, it is strongly recommended not to refreeze suet dumplings. The repeated freezing and thawing will change the texture and taste of the dumplings, making them unappealing.
Moreover, it can increase the chances of bacterial buildup and make it spoil faster.
If you wish to avoid having to refreeze or waste the suet dumpling you can portion them beforehand into small serving sizes that you can easily manage to eat in one sitting.
In the case of raw suet dumplings, you can flash freeze them, making it easy to pull out just the right number of dumplings and seal the rest back in the freezer.
Do Suet Dumplings Freeze Well?
Yes, suet dumplings freeze quite well. It is a great way to have some delicious dumplings at the ready and get some food prep out of the way.
Cooked suet dumplings freeze well but can have small changes in texture. But once it is mixed in with the stew you shouldn’t be able to make out any difference in taste.
Although both cooked and uncooked suet dumplings freeze well, it is best to freeze them uncooked.
This allows you to freeze the dumplings for longer and have fresh and piping hot dumplings than a reheated dish.
Bottom Line
I hope this article has covered all the points on how you can freeze and make the most out of your favorite suet dumpling recipe.
If you have any doubts or would like to share some tips and tricks of your own, it would be lovely to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with your family and friends.