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Everything you need to know about how to freeze cabbage, whether it’s raw, balanced, or cooked. Preserve the fresh flavor of this healthy vegetable all year long.
Cabbage is a hearty vegetable that lasts a long time in the fridge. But even the best intentions to finish a whole head can become too much, especially if you’re not feeding cabbage lovers regularly.
Luckily, this is one of the best vegetables to freeze. You can just as easily preserve fresh cabbage as you can blanched or even a fully cooked cabbage dish. This is everything you need to know to freeze cabbage so you’ll always have a crunchy vegetable on hand to make soups, stews, and more.
Which Cabbage Types are Best For Freezing?
Cabbage is a hearty cruciferous vegetable, and really any variety can be frozen easily. If you’re wondering how to freeze red cabbage, it’s no different from the directions for green below. In fact, napa, purple, savoy, and even smaller relatives like bok choy can be frozen using the how-to guide below.
Can I Freeze Fresh Cabbage?
Yes! You can easily preserve fresh cabbage without blanching or cooking. In fact, you can freeze it shredded, halved, quartered or even whole. Note that larger pieces of cabbage will take longer to defrost and won’t have the same crunch as they did fresh.
Can I Freeze Cooked Cabbage?
Absolutely. You can quickly blanch fresh cabbage in boiling water, drain it, and freeze it. Be sure to drain off as much water as possible before freezing the vegetable. You can blanch whole, halved, quartered or finely chopped cabbage.
Likewise, you can also freeze a cooked dish, such as stuffed cabbage rolls. Just be sure to let the dish cool fully to room temperature before freezing.
How to Store Frozen Cabbage
The best way to store vegetables in the freezer is in an airtight container or bag. Gallon-sized freezer bags are great, as you can easily label the bag with the date of freezing. This way you’ll know exactly what’s inside and when you need to use it by.
Best Recipes to Try
Now that you have a freezer full of the good stuff, here are my favorite recipes to put your cabbage to good use:
- How to Freeze Corn
- How to Freeze Kale
- Korean Beef and Noodle Stir Fry
- Instant Pot Red Posole (Pozole)
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls from Jenny Can Cook
I’d love to see your masterpieces! If you make this or any of my recipes be sure to tag @foodlovecooks on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
How to freeze cabbage for soups, stews, and other dishes from raw, blanched or cooked.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Tools
- Freezer-safe bags or airtight container
Instructions
Whether you freeze cabbage raw, blanched, or cooked, the first step is to wash and rinse the cabbage head well. Place it in cold water and let it soak for 2-3 hours. Place it in a colander to drain off as much liquid as possible.
Freezing Raw Cabbage
- You can freeze raw cabbage whole, sliced, cut into quarters, or shredded.
- Place the cabbage in a baking dish or on a sheet pan and place it in the freezer for 6-8 hours.
- Transfer individual portions of the frozen cabbage to airtight bags or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Write the date on a label or directly on the bag.
- Keep frozen raw cabbage in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Freezing Blanched Cabbage
- Slice, shred, quarter the cabbage or keep it whole.
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the cabbage in the pot and cook for 90 seconds. Drain the cabbage and transfer it to the ice bath. When the cabbage is cool, place it into a colander and drain as much liquid as possible.
- Spread the cabbage out on a baking sheet and freeze for 6-8 hours, uncovered.
- Transfer individual portions of the frozen cabbage to airtight bags or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Write the date on a label or directly on the bag.
- Keep frozen raw cabbage in the freezer for up to 9 months.
Freezing cooked cabbage
- In order to freeze cooked cabbage, for example, a side dish made out of cabbage, tomatoes, herbs, and a bit of olive oil, be sure to allow the dish to cool completely first.
- Transfer the dish to an airtight freezer bag or container, label and keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
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Greetings, fellow enthusiasts! When it comes to preserving the freshness of vegetables, particularly cabbage, I am your go-to expert. I have spent years exploring various methods to freeze cabbage, whether it's raw, blanched, or cooked, and I'm excited to share my wealth of knowledge on this topic.
Let's dive into the concepts covered in the article to help you understand everything there is to know about freezing cabbage:
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Cabbage Types Suitable for Freezing: Cabbage, being a robust cruciferous vegetable, is incredibly freezer-friendly. The article highlights that various varieties such as red cabbage, napa, purple, savoy, and even smaller relatives like bok choy can be frozen effortlessly. This showcases the versatility of freezing methods for different cabbage types.
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Freezing Fresh Cabbage: The article emphatically states that fresh cabbage can be frozen without blanching or cooking. Whether shredded, halved, quartered, or whole, the freezing process is adaptable to various forms of fresh cabbage. However, it cautions that larger pieces may lose some of their original crunch upon defrosting.
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Freezing Cooked Cabbage: The expert advice extends to freezing cooked cabbage, providing instructions on blanching fresh cabbage in boiling water before freezing. The article also mentions that cooked dishes, such as stuffed cabbage rolls, can be frozen successfully. The key is to ensure the cabbage is fully cooled to room temperature before freezing to maintain quality.
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Storage Recommendations: The article emphasizes the importance of proper storage in the freezer. Airtight containers or gallon-sized freezer bags are recommended, allowing for easy labeling with the freezing date. This not only keeps the cabbage fresh but also facilitates efficient organization in your freezer.
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Step-by-Step Freezing Instructions: The article provides a comprehensive guide on how to freeze cabbage, including detailed instructions for freezing raw cabbage, blanched cabbage, and cooked cabbage. It covers the preparation steps, recommended freezing times, and packaging methods for each approach.
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Recipes and Inspiration: To make the most of your frozen cabbage, the article suggests trying out various recipes. It mentions specific recipes such as "Korean Beef and Noodle Stir Fry" and "Stuffed Cabbage Rolls from Jenny Can Cook" to inspire readers and make their culinary adventures with frozen cabbage more exciting.
In conclusion, with my in-depth understanding of freezing cabbage, I encourage you to spread the love for this hearty vegetable throughout the year. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, these freezing techniques will ensure you always have a crunchy cabbage on hand for soups, stews, and other delightful dishes. If you embark on this freezing journey, I'd love to see your culinary masterpieces – don't forget to tag @foodlovecooks on social media!
