Cabbage is a wonderfully versatile vegetable, but you may often find yourself with too much of it leftover. Of course, you don’t want to waste it, so what should you do? You should try freezing it so you can use it later.
Yes, you can freeze all kinds of cooked cabbage. Cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, sautéed cabbage, or even blanched cabbage. All varieties freeze very well and will allow you to preserve your leftover cabbage for future use.
Why Does Cabbage Have to Be Cooked Before Freezing?
Cabbage keeps well in the freezer for up to a year, before the quality begins to deteriorate. It is important to cook your cabbage before freezing, and you’ll find tips and methods below.
Raw leafy vegetables don’t freeze as well when they’re raw. Their texture can deteriorate sharply and they won’t be as good once they’ve been thawed. They can become overly soggy due to the high water content in fresh leafy greens.
Cooking the cabbage before freezing allows some of the moisture to be cooked out. This results in a better overall freezing experience. You will be happier with the quality of your frozen cabbage if you’ve taken the time to cook it beforehand.
How To Freeze Different Types of Cooked Cabbage
You have multiple options when it comes to cooking your cabbage. If you have purchased a fresh head of cabbage intending to freeze it, it’s best to blanch it. However, if you just want to freeze your leftover cabbage soup or cabbage rolls, then you can do so.
There are different steps for each type of cooked cabbage. With blanched cabbage, it must be completely dry before freezing. Sautéed cabbage, on the other hand, just needs to cool down before freezing.
How To Blanch Cabbage for Freezing
The process of blanching your cabbage helps to keep its nutrients and maintain the original color of the vegetable. The process of blanching cabbage is similar to that of lettuce. The overall quality of your frozen cabbage will remain intact once you’ve blanched it.
1. Wash your cabbage thoroughly.
2. Slice the cabbage into quarters or small sections.
3. Fill a pot of water and allow it to come to a rolling boil.
4. Add in your sections of cabbage and boil for 1-2 minutes.
5. Remove the cabbage and place it directly into an ice bath.
6. Allow cabbage to cool completely and dry off any remaining water.
Once you have completed these steps, you can freeze your cabbage. Lay out pieces of the cabbage onto a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. This ensures that the cabbage pieces won’t stick together once they’re combined into the same bag.
How to Freeze Cabbage Soup
Cabbage soup is a popular recipe to make with cabbage. Luckily, it freezes exceptionally well and in just a few simple steps.
1. Allow your soup to cool completely.
2. Divide the soup into smaller portions, for easy defrosting later.
3. Place the cabbage soup into the freezer and consume it within 3 months.
You can simply take out a container of your frozen cabbage soup and defrost it in the fridge overnight. You’ll have a quick meal for the next day with very little clean-up. Make sure to date your containers so you’ll remember when you originally froze the soup.
How to Freeze Sautéed Cabbage
Another popular recipe to make with cabbage is sautéed cabbage and bacon. Delicious! Luckily, this dish freezes well and you can enjoy it again whenever you’d like.
1. Allow your sautéed cabbage to cool completely.
2. Divide your cabbage into individual portions, so it will defrost quickly when you want it.
3. Freeze the sautéed cabbage and make sure to consume it within 3-5 months.
Again, you’re going to want to remember to date the cabbage before you freeze it. This way, you’ll know exactly when you need to eat it for optimal quality. Simply defrost in the fridge before reheating the cabbage.
How to Freeze Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls are widely enjoyed and if you’ve made them before, you know they make a lot of leftovers. If you wish to freeze them instead of consuming them all now, you’re in luck! It’s an easy process and you can have delicious rolls whenever hunger strikes.
1. After baking the rolls, allow them to cool completely.
2. Place the assembled rolls onto a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours.
3. Once the rolls are frozen, place them into a plastic bag with the air squeezed out.
4. Consume within 3-4 months, depending on the filling of the rolls.
No need to worry if you’re drowning in cabbage rolls. Toss them into the freezer and you’ll be able to thaw them out quickly whenever you need a quick bite to eat.
In Conclusion
Overall, freezing cooked cabbage is a great way to preserve it. Whether you have it inside of a soup or just by itself, you can freeze cooked cabbage. While there are a few rules to ensuring the best quality, it’s a relatively simple process.
By following a few tips, you’ll ensure you have frozen cabbage that will still be of optimal quality once it’s thawed. You can take your cabbage out and add it to your next recipe whenever your hunger strikes. It’s a healthy leafy vegetable and is a great addition to a lot of meals.
