Whether you like or despise them, Brussels sprouts are a culinary item that is synonymous with autumn and winter.
Although they are one of the less popular vegetables, they are adored by many and can be rather good when grilled with garlic, salt, and a dash of oil.
If you find yourself with leftovers or too many of them to consume in one sitting, here is a big question that will come to you – “can you freeze Brussels sprouts?”
Yes, you can freeze Brussels sprouts.
Brussels sprouts freeze well for up to 12 months! You may freeze them raw and blanched or roast them prior to freezing.
Can Brussels Sprouts Be Refrozen? No
Are Brussels Sprouts Good for Freezing? Yes
How To Freeze Fresh Brussels Sprouts?
Blanching Brussels sprouts first is the best method to freeze them, especially if you are unsure how you want them cooked. This is nearly identical to freezing them uncooked. They will not be cooked, leaving you free to decide what you will do with the sprouts later.
There is some effort required, so let’s begin by learning how to blanch and freeze Brussels sprouts.
Sprouts must be cleaned
To begin, trim and prepare your sprouts. Also, wash and dry them. If you’re concerned about insects, soak them in cold water containing a tablespoon of salt. This will kill any pests, ensuring that you freeze just the finest sprouts.
Blanch the sprouts
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Prepare a big basin of iced water beside the stove while the water is heating to a boil. Add the sprouts to the boiling water. Add the largest first, followed by the smallest. Boil the largest sprouts for 4 minutes and the smallest ones for 3 minutes.
Cool the sprouts
Remove the sprouts from the pot of boiling water and immediately plunge them into the freezing water. Drain and dry them after they have cooled.
Put them in bags
Label a few freezer bags with the date. Each bag should include an equal quantity of sprouts.
Freeze
Seal the bags and place them in the freezer.
How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts that are Roasted?
If you’ve decided to roast your sprouts or are storing leftover roasted sprouts, the good news is that you can freeze them as well.
Roast your Brussels sprouts
Roast Brussels sprouts with herbs and spices of your choice. Use strong and adventurous spices since sprouts are very adept at absorbing flavors. Let them cool fully after cooking.
Quick freeze
Take a baking sheet and arrange the sprouts in a single layer on top. Make sure that the sprouts aren’t touching. This procedure is necessary to prevent them from sticking together when they are frozen. Freeze for an hour or two before removing the baking sheet and transferring the sprouts to freezer bags.
Freeze them
Label the bags with the date and place them in the freezer.
Three Proven Techniques for Freezing Brussels Sprouts
Now that you know how to freeze sprouts, here are our three top pieces of advice for freezing sprouts for the best results:
Blanch the sprouts
We are aware that this requires some more time. We are aware that it is time demanding. However, blanching them will significantly improve the eating experience in the future. This will guarantee that their texture, nutrients, color, and flavor are retained.
Freeze them in small proportions
Each freezer bag should contain one quantity of sprouts. That way, when you’re ready to defrost any, you may grab one bag at a time without risking thawing too many at the same time.
Combine with additional vegetables
Nothing prevents you from making pre-packaged mixed veggie bags. Sprouts can be combined with blanched swede, kale, broccoli, etc.
How Long Can Brussels Sprouts Be Freeze-Dried?
Brussels sprouts are ideal for freezing, and blanched sprouts that are frozen properly can be stored for up to 12 months! If you enjoy sprouts, this is fantastic news; you may now enjoy them throughout the year!
If you heat your sprouts first, they should be consumed within roughly 6 to 9 months. They should be safe to consume for up to twelve months, although the flavor and texture may alter somewhat.
Brussels Sprouts Can Be Freeze-Dried for Around 12 Months
How Should Brussels Sprouts Be Defrosted?
The optimal method for utilizing frozen sprouts is to avoid defrosting them at all! Simply thaw them from frozen. Brussels sprouts can be boiled or roasted. Simply remember to modify your cooking times accordingly. Cooking frozen sprouts may take a bit longer.
If you need to defrost the sprouts prior to cooking or heating, place them in a dish and place them in the refrigerator to slowly defrost.
Can Brussels Sprouts Be Refrozen?
Brussels sprouts should not be refrozen. The structure of the sprout will alter while freezing, which will influence the texture. If you attempted to refreeze it, the texture and structure would be further altered.
Also, refreezing always poses a risk of spoilage and eventually causes sickness.
If you are unsure if your sprouts are still edible, it is advisable to be careful and discard any that appear to be spoilt.
Are Brussels Sprouts Freezer-Friendly?
As long as the sprouts are cooked or blanched first, Brussels sprouts freeze extremely nicely.
There may be some texture change and the sprouts may get somewhat softer, but this should have no effect on the taste. If you roast them, there will be no change in texture also.
Related FAQs
If you have any remaining queries regarding freezing Brussels sprouts or sprouts in general, the following may be of assistance:
The best approach for freezing sprouts is as described above. Prepare the Brussels sprouts by blanching them for a few minutes, draining them, and then portioning them into freezer bags before freezing.
You may do so however, you should not. Blanching your sprouts before freezing can help them preserve their nutrition and vivid green color. There is no reason to avoid blanching them given the minimal effort required.