Can You Freeze Horseradish?
Horseradish is a root vegetable that was traditionally used as a medicine. Yes, horseradish has amazing health benefits. They are also high in vitamin C which is good for health. But these days, horseradish is a more commercialized vegetable and is used by people all over the world.
A little amount of horseradish goes a long way. Therefore, you must always be having leftovers or extra horseradish that has started to rot. What can you do to preserve the vegetable for longer? Can you freeze horseradish?
Yes, you can freeze horseradish. And there are ways to freeze horseradish. So, you can prefer which way to freeze your horseradish to avoid unnecessary spoilage. You can also use horseradish as a culinary spice because it has a slightly hot taste.
Does Horseradish Freeze Well?
Horseradish freezes extremely well when it is made properly. The vegetable will last in the freezer well for a number of months. However, it is important that you squeeze out all the air before freezing because horseradish oxidizes when exposed to air.
Horseradish does not keep for long at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Therefore, freezing is a great way to increase its shelf life. This will also avoid wastage and guarantee that you have a supply of horseradish on hand.
How Can You Freeze Horseradish?
You have two choices when it comes to freezing horseradish. Yes, horseradish can be frozen in two ways and both of them freeze equally well. Either freeze them already grated or prepare a horseradish sauce with them and freeze portions of the sauce.
Freezing is the best way to preserve your horseradish for later use. However, the way you freeze them depends on how you intend to use the frozen horseradish. Check out both forms of freezing horseradish here.
Freezing Grated Horseradish
- Wash the horseradish properly, chop the roots, and grate them. If you do not want to grate your horseradish, you can even slice them into small pieces. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it is convenient for you to use them later.
- Take an aluminum foil and wrap the grated horseradish adequately. Make sure you securely seal the aluminum foil around the horseradish. This will ensure they are not exposed to air. The foil will also protect the horseradish from freezer burns.
- Put the horseradish packages into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. If you have a lot of grated horseradish, try freezing them in portions. This will be beneficial and you can defrost the required amounts of horseradish later.
- Once, all the above steps are fulfilled, label and date the containers or freezer bags. This is necessary as labeling will let you know how long they have been in the freezer. Stack the containers into the freezer and they are ready to freeze.
Freezing Horseradish Sauce
- Use your favorite recipe to make horseradish sauce as usual. Then allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Set the sauce aside until it cools down.
- Once, the horseradish sauce has cooled down, portion it into ice cube trays or tiny airtight containers that seal tightly. Ensure they are sealed properly.
- If you are using airtight containers, you can directly freeze them. However, if you are using the ice tray, let them solidify in the freezer and then transfer the cubes into sealed containers.
- Next, label and date the containers and stack them in the freezer. Make sure to keep the containers away from the edges of the freezer to protect them from freezer burns.
Tips For Freezing Horseradish
Now you know the ways for freezing horseradish and how to do it effectively. Here are some of the tips for freezing horseradish for the best results. Check them out.
- If you are freezing horseradish sauce, it is better if you prefer the ice cube method. This is not only an easier method, but this also lets you use the frozen horseradish sauce straight from the freezer in some recipes. Adding to that, it is convenient to use the cubes as well.
- Horseradish is a root vegetable, therefore it tends to oxidize and turn brown if exposed to the air for an extended period. This will affect the freshness. To avoid oxidization, soak them in vinegar briefly. Then carefully drain out the horseradish and freeze.
- While freezing, prefer good quality airtight containers over freezer bags. This is because they will protect the horseradish better from freezer burn and frost buildup. However, you can also use silicon freezer bags. They do the work well.
How Long Can You Freeze Horseradish?
Freezing increases the shelf-life of grated horseradish by up to 6 months, and the shelf-life of horseradish sauce by up to 8 months. However, there might be very minimal texture alterations during this period. But if stored properly, the horseradish is safe to use.
Also, pay attention to the horseradish when freezing because if it turns dark or gets mushy, it probably no longer tastes good. This can happen because of inadequate freezing methods. Therefore, checking that proper freezing guidelines have been followed is crucial.
Can You Refreeze Horseradish?
No, it is not suggested to refreeze horseradish. This is because the water content in the vegetable will not react to refreezing well. They will form ice crystals which will further weaken the cell walls of horseradish and give it a mushy, unappealing texture.
You would not want your horseradish to go bad, right? Therefore, you should not refreeze them. If you are defrosting horseradish, try doing it in portions, so that there is no need to refreeze. Also, you can keep defrosted horseradish in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days before it starts spoiling.
How Can You Defrost Horseradish?
There are two ways of freezing horseradish: grated horseradish and horseradish sauce. Therefore the defrosting techniques for both of these are slightly different. It is however simple to defrost grated horseradish.
All you have to do is take out the grated horseradish containers from the freezer and let them defrost in the refrigerator. If you are preparing to cook them, you can directly use grated horseradish from the freezer.
If you are defrosting horseradish sauce, it is important to let them thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight. Once they start melting, keep stirring the sauce occasionally to get rid of lumps if there are any. Once it has defrosted completely, you can use your horseradish sauce.
How Can You Use Frozen Horseradish In Recipes?
While there are many ways to use frozen horseradish, we have listed a few of the popular recipes here. Check out how to use both grated horseradish and horseradish sauce.
- Add the sauce to mayonnaise or mustard sauce for added flavor.
- Use grated horseradish with potato salad and other potato dishes.
- Put horseradish in macaroni, deviled eggs, or sushi.
- Use horseradish sauce as a condiment or as a dip.
- Add grated horseradish to hummus or coleslaw.
Summing it up, you can freeze horseradish very well. Just remember to pay attention to the freezing process and avoid air contamination. So, the next time you are afraid your horseradish might go to waste, you know what to do to preserve them.