Can You Freeze Sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is a classic vegetable that can be included in a variety of dishes. And for the same reason, you are also buying fresh sauerkraut from the market, isn’t it? But as you already know, the freshness of sauerkraut does not last very long in the fridge.
So, what can you do to preserve the original freshness of sauerkraut for long? Can you freeze the vegetable? Yes, you can definitely freeze sauerkraut. It is a freezer-friendly vegetable that can be kept for quite some time in the freezer.
In this article, I have mentioned all the important details about freezing sauerkraut that you need to know. Check out the following sections of this article to learn more!
How To Freeze Sauerkraut?
Freezing sauerkraut is a little difficult because you need to take care of a lot of things before beginning the process. While the process of freezing is easy, looking for appropriate freezing conditions can be a task.
Before you begin with freezing sauerkraut make sure that the cabbage is not overly fermented. It will not be beneficial to freeze an overly fermented sauerkraut. Always go for freezing fresh sauerkraut instead of the ones that have been kept for a long time.
Check out the following steps to freeze sauerkraut at home:
- Select fresh and slightly fermented batches of sauerkraut. If you have a lot of quantity, separate them into smaller portions.
- Once you have portioned the sauerkraut successfully, transfer them into individual airtight containers. Select the containers based on the portion size.
- Firmly press down the cabbage while in the container to remove all the air bubbles. This will further prevent freezer burns.
- Next, tightly seal the lids. Make sure the closing is tight enough to keep away air and moisture. You can also wrap the containers with cling film if you want to.
- Once, you have done all of these, label and date the containers of sauerkraut and stack them in the freezer. Your sauerkraut is ready to freeze.
Does Sauerkraut Freeze Well?
Yes, sauerkraut freezes reasonably well, when stored under proper freezing conditions. You will also not notice many texture alterations. However, it might appear that when you thaw sauerkraut, you could notice a slight change in the sour flavor. But it freezes well.
How Long Can You Freeze Sauerkraut?
Raw sauerkraut stays fresh in the freezer for a maximum of 15 days. You know that you will not be able to store it any further as the freshness will start losing. Freezing on the other hand, rapidly increases the shelf life of raw sauerkraut to 6 months.
While you can keep the sauerkraut frozen for more than 6 months, it might develop ice crystals which may lead to freezer burns. Therefore, it is suggested that you consume your frozen sauerkraut within the first 6 months for best results.
How To Defrost Sauerkraut?
Defrosting sauerkraut is an easy task. All you have to do is remove the frozen packages of sauerkraut from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator overnight for defrosting. This will allow a gradual temperature change for the sauerkraut to defrost nicely.
You should never defrost frozen sauerkraut directly at room temperature or in the microwave. This will instantly degrade the raw sauerkraut, thus making it unfit for consumption. You must let the sauerkraut defrost adequately in the fridge before cooking them.
Can You Refreeze Sauerkraut?
Yes, you can refreeze sauerkraut easily. Repeated freezing is not an issue in this case. However, you might notice flavor alterations upon refreezing because of repeated temperature changes, which might not affect your meals.
On the other hand, it is suggested that you refreeze your sauerkraut only once and avoid further freezing. This is because if you keep on refreezing the food unnecessarily, it will eventually lose flavor. You can keep sauerkraut in the refrigerator for some time to avoid repeated freezing.
Can You Freeze Cooked Sauerkraut?
Yes, you can also freeze cooked sauerkraut. While the freezing results might not be the same as raw sauerkraut because the flavor might alter a little, it still freezes well. If you want to get the maximum benefits out of freezing sauerkraut, freeze them raw.
Can You Store Sauerkraut In A Jar And Freeze It?
Yes, you can store sauerkraut in a jar and freeze it. Just make sure that you leave about an inch headspace in each jar and do not fill it to the brim to avoid mess. The headspace will also allow space for expansion upon freezing.
Summing it up, that was all about freezing sauerkraut at home. So, the next time you are unsure about whether you should store the sauerkraut in the fridge or not, freeze them to keep the freshness intact for a longer period.
