Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that is high in nutrients and vitamins. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, grilling, and sautéing. If you have leftover cooked cabbage, you may be wondering what can you do with the leftovers. Can they be frozen? Or it needs to be thrown away?
Cooked cabbage can be frozen for future use. This is a great way to save money and time, as well as having a healthy vegetable on hand at all times. When freezing cooked cabbage, it is important to consider how it will be used. Cabbages are big and cannot be used up fully at once, that’s why people prefer to freeze it. But certain rules need to be followed when freezing cooked cabbage.
Let’s discuss and explore the best ways to freeze cooked cabbage so that it retains its flavor and nutrients.
Freezing Cooked Cabbage
There’s so much you can do with cabbage. You can make cabbage soup, cabbage stew, boil it and serve it with a delicious chicken dinner plate, make coleslaw, put it in a salad, saute it and convert it into a flavorful side dish, or throw it in a stir-fry.
However, unless you grow your own cabbage or get it from a local farm, there is a possibility that it will not survive as long as desired. This is when freezing cabbage becomes a great option to consider.
Whichever way you cook it freezing the leftovers is a good option. You can freeze steamed, grilled, or sauteed cabbage without any issues. You can also mix it with other ingredients before freezing it.
Steamed Cabbage
Steaming is an indirect cooking method that allows delicate products to be gently cooked while retaining their taste and nutrition. The benefit of steaming cabbage is that it lacks the unpleasant odor of boiled cabbage.
Place the cooked cabbage in a freezer bag, remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing it. Label the bag with the contents and date. Frozen steamed cabbage will be safe to eat for eight to twelve months.
Grilled Cabbage
Grilling gives cabbage an intense flavor because of the high temperature that is used during the cooking process. Grilling is a dry-heat cooking method that uses intense heat to cook food.
It is the perfect way to add flavor and texture to cabbage. Whether you grill your cabbage on a charcoal or gas grill, the result is the same.
For long-term storage, wrap the grilled cabbage in a freezer bag and vacuum out as much air as possible before sealing it. Label the bag with the contents and date.
Sauteed Cabbage
This is a cooking method that uses a small amount of fat to cook food in a skillet or saucepan over medium to high heat. The cabbage is cooked until it is wilted, and then the water is removed before serving.
Freeze it in the same way as the above two.
Cabbage and Other Ingredients
You can also mix cabbage with other ingredients such as carrots, onions, celery, or potatoes before freezing it. This is a great way to make sure that you have a healthy and delicious side dish on hand at all times.
When freezing mixed cabbage dishes, it is important to use freezer-safe containers. These can be plastic containers or freezer bags.
Cabbage Soup: Cabbage soup is a delicious and healthy way to use up leftover cabbage. Transfer the soup into the containers with a ladle, but do not entirely fill them. When preparing the soup for freezing, leave approximately an inch or two of room because the liquid will expand as it freezes.
Cabbage Rolls: Cabbage rolls are a traditional dish that is made by wrapping cooked cabbage leaves around a filling of meat and rice.
To freeze cabbage rolls, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze them for two hours. Once they are frozen, transfer them to freezer bags.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon: Fried cabbage with bacon is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a winter meal. To freeze this dish, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Simply cook the meal as usual, then set it aside to cool fully. For minimal texture changes after defrosting, don’t cook the cabbage all the way through. Spoon the dish into several resealable plastic bags once it has cooled fully.
LEARN MORE: Can I Fry Frozen Chicken?
How To Freeze Cooked Cabbage
Freezing cooked cabbage is very easy to do.
- Simply cook the cabbage as you normally would, whether that be steamed, grilled, or sauteed.
- Once it is cooked, let it cool and then place it in a freezer-safe container.
- Make sure to label the container with the date so you know how long it has been frozen.
Cooked cabbage will last in the freezer for up to six to twelve months.
Does Cooked Cabbage Freeze Well?
Cooked cabbage freezes very well. You can expect the texture to change slightly after it has been frozen and thawed, but it will still be just as delicious.
The flavor of cooked cabbage may also change slightly after being frozen and thawed, but it will still be good. Freezing cooked cabbage does not ruin the taste or texture. In fact, it is a great way to extend the shelf life of your cabbage so you can enjoy it for longer.
Freezing cooked cabbage does not taste bad. In fact, it is a great way to save leftovers so you can enjoy them at a later time. Just make sure to follow the proper steps for freezing and thawing cabbage so it retains its flavor and texture.
Defrosting Cooked Cabbage
When you are ready to eat your frozen cooked cabbage, simply remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
You can also place the frozen cooked cabbage in a bowl of cold water for about an hour.
Freezing and then thawing cabbage may cause it to lose some of its nutrients, but overall it is still a healthy vegetable to eat.
LEARN MORE: Can You Cook Frozen Bacon?
Reasons For Freezing Cooked Cabbage
Freezing cooked cabbage is a great way to have a healthy, leafy vegetable on hand without having to cook it every time you want to eat it. Cabbage freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for six to twelve months.
There are a few reasons why you might want to freeze cooked cabbage.
- You may have cooked too much cabbage and don’t want it to go to waste.
- You may want to have cooked cabbage on hand for a quick and healthy meal.
- You may be trying to save money by buying cabbage in bulk when it is on sale and freezing it for later use.
Things To Consider When Freezing Cooked Cabbage
Cooked cabbage can be frozen, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The type of cabbage, how it was cooked, and what it was mixed with will all affect how well it freezes and how it will taste when thawed.
- Steamed cabbage can be frozen, but it may become mushy when thawed.
- Grilled cabbage can be frozen, but it may lose some of its flavors.
- Sautéed cabbage can be frozen, but it may become limp when thawed.
LEARN MORE: Can Cherries Be Frozen?
Conclusion
Cooked cabbage is the perfect vegetable to freeze because it tastes great and has a long shelf life. You can’t go wrong with freezing cooked cabbage. It’s easy to do and will save you time and money in the long run.
So don’t hesitate, go out and buy some cabbage, cook, and start freezing it today! You won’t regret it.
