Can You Freeze Yams?

Whether you are looking to freeze raw or cooked yam, this comprehensive guide can help you out. 

I have found these methods to work like a charm. Let’s get started with the first method. 

How to Freeze Yam?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

If you’ve got some extra yam and you are not sure how you plan to use it, you can use this method to freeze it. 

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Materials

• Yam
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper

Tools

• Lemon Juice
• Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag

Instructions

1. Peel and Cut: Peel and cut the yam into slices or cubes depending on how you plan to use it later. Once you cut them, put them in a bowl of water to avoid discoloration.
   
   
2. Treat the Yam: Into the bowl of yam in water, squeeze in a bit of lemon juice, which will further ensure that the yam does not discolor when it freezes.
   
   
3. Drain and Spread: Drain the yam and lay it out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure that the yams are evenly spaced and don’t touch each other.
   
   
4. Flash Freeze: Leave the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight to let the yam freeze solid.
   
   
5. Pack and Seal: Transfer the frozen yam into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags and seal them. Make sure not to overstuffif you are using a container. When using a Ziploc bag, squeeze out all air before sealing them.
   
   
6. Label and Freeze: Add a label with the best before date on it, and you are all set to freeze the raw yam.
   
   You could check out this simple tutorial by “Yummieliciouz Food Recipes” on YouTube to see how it’s done -

Freezing Yam after Par-Boiling Them

If you would like to keep the yam in the freezer for longer, this method with a few additional steps can help you. 

Peel and Cut

Peel and cut the yam into sizes or shapes that you would usually use for a recipe.

Par-Boil

Put the yam in boiling water for 10 – 15 minutes and parboil it till it’s tender but not cooked all the way through.

Treat the Yam

Take the yam out of the boiling water and spritz some lemon juice on it to stop it from discoloring.

Cool It

Lay the parboiled yam on a cooling rack and let it cool down to room temperature. You could also stick it in the freezer for an hour to fast-track the process.

Pack and Seal

Transfer the yam into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag without crowding them too much. Then seal the containers or bags, making sure to squeeze out all the air in case of the Ziploc bag.

Label and Freeze

Add a label on the container or bag, and you are good to go.

Here is a video by “Mummy’s Yum” on YouTube to show you how to do it –

Freezing Cooked or Baked Yam

If you have already cooked your yam and want to freeze some leftovers, this method has got you covered. 

Cool it Down

If the yam has been freshly taken off the stove or oven, let it cool down to room temperature. 

Wrap It

Using some metal foil, wrap the individual yam slices or portions. Make sure to leave no part of it exposed to air.

Pack and Seal

Place the wrapped yams into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal it. Make sure that the excess air in the Ziploc bag is thoroughly squeezed out before sealing. 

Label and Freeze

Add a label with the date on it, and you can leave the container or bag in the freezer till you need it next. 

How Long Can You Freeze Yam? 

You can freeze yams for 10 to 12 months. Freezing them after parboiling them can help them last longer in the freezer than freezing them raw.  

To freeze yam for long, ensure that it is not exposed to air when prepping as it can oxidize and turn brown.

You can prevent this by soaking the yam in water as soon as you cut it and giving it a quick rinse with lemon juice. 

It is best advised to store the yam in the coolest and darkest part of the freezer to ensure a longer freezer life.

How to Store Frozen Yam? 

You can store frozen yam in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. The key is to make sure that it isn’t exposed to air or prone to freezer burns.

When storing cooked or baked yam, added care or wrapping them in foil can help prevent freezer burns. 

If you are pressed for freezer space, the best option would be a Ziploc bag. Yams are chunky, and it might be difficult to fit a lot of them into a rigid container.

So, instead of using multiple containers that take up space, you can use a couple of Ziploc bags and lay them flat on top of each other to save space. 

How to Defrost Yam? 

If you have frozen raw or par-boiled yam, you can skip the thawing process and cook with it directly. You could also directly reheat the cooked yam in the oven and bake it.

But if you would like to thaw it, leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and let it thaw gradually. Once defrosted you can have the yam in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

It is best not to let it thaw on the counter or microwave. In which case, you will have to consume it immediately. 

Can You Refreeze Yam? 

No, it is best advised not to refreeze yams. Once it’s frozen and defrosted, the yam changes in its texture and quality like most foods.

So, it is best to consume them as soon as you defrost them. Moreover, if it was left out for a while, there are high chances of bacterial build-up on the yam. 

To avoid having to refreeze the yam once it thaws, portion it beforehand into serving sizes that you can easily manage in one go. 

Does Yam Freeze Well? 

Yes, yam freezes well, and it is a great way to store it for long. If you are getting yam in bulk at a cheap rate, you can confidently go ahead and buy a few to freeze for later.

Although it doesn’t stay fresh indefinitely, you still have a pretty wide margin of six to ten months to make the most of it. 

Par-boiled yam freezes the best, and if you have treated them with some lemon juice, you can have ready-to-cook yam in the freezer all year long. 

FAQs

Bottom Line 

I hope this article helped you freeze and store yam. 

If you have any doubts or would like to share some tips and hacks of your own, it would be great to hear from you. 

Feel free to share this article with all your friends and family.