When was the last time you went to your refrigerator to get fresh ginger to prepare your meal, their favorite dinner, only to find that it’s gone bad or withered?
In most cases, you’ll use the ginger roots purchased in the market within a few days. However, there are some cases when you may need to store the leftovers and use them after a while.
If you have been wondering whether or not you can store ginger, you are in the right place. This post will answer all the questions related to “can you freeze ginger root?” and other related questions I have come across.
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Can You Freeze Ginger Root?
Yes, you can freeze ginger root for up to nine months – either whole, grated, ready-to-use paste, or juiced, depending on your preferences.
Sure, ginger root can stay in the freezer for up to nine months, but you can still use it even after it has withered. All you need to do is to cut off the withered part before you can use it.
However, you need to note that withered ginger root will begin to lose its quality, just like the other kitchen spices and ingredients.
Therefore, the best way to store your ginger is to freeze it for up to approximately nine months. After that, the quality, including the flavor, will begin to deteriorate.
How to Freeze Ginger Root
How Do I Freeze Whole Ginger?
When you are freezing the whole ginger root, you’ll first need to put your ginger in a freezer bag, then release as much air as possible.
When you are ready to use the ginger, remove it from the freezer, peel it then grate depending on how you like it. You can take back the remainder into the fridge.
This is one of the best methods you can use to freeze ginger because it retains the quality of ginger roots for longer. However, you’ll need to go through the hassle of peeling and grating the ginger every time you need to use it.
How Do I Freeze Ginger Pieces With Their Peels on?
Cut your ginger root with their peel (about one to two inches). Next, put the cut ginger root pieces in a freezer bag, remove excess air as much as you can, then freeze. When you want to use your ginger, remove it in the freezer and peel (there’s no need to thaw.)
How Do I Freeze Ginger Pieces Without Peel?
The first thing you need to do is to peel and slice the ginger. Once that is done, you need to get a freezer bag (note: the freezer bags should be in a single, flat layer). Next, remove excess air as much as you can and then freeze.
How Do I Freeze Grated Ginger?
The first step to freezing grated ginger is to peel and grate it. Once that is done, put the pieces on a cookie sheet with wax paper.
Please cover lightly with another wax paper between one to two hours until it turns solid. Now remove your ginger roots from the wax papers and transfer them into the freezer bags.
How Long Can You Freeze Ginger?
The longest you can freeze ginger roots is nine months. After that, your ginger roots will start to lose their quality.
If you have many frozen foods or spices in your freezer, it will be best to label every container you put in your freezer.
Label the containers, indicating the date when you froze each item. This will minimize confusion and will help you use each item within its usage period.
How Can I Defrost Ginger?
The good thing about managing and storing your ginger is that you won’t ever need to thaw it. Instead, you’ll just need to take a piece or pieces from your freezer each time you need to use them.
In sporadic cases, you want to use ginger in stirfry that you will need to thaw your roots a little. If you are in a hurry, you can put your ginger roots in a container or bowl of cool water and let it defrost in about two minutes.
Alternatively, putting your frozen ginger roots in the microwave for about fifteen seconds will be ideal. Putting your ginger roots in the microwave for about fifteen seconds will make it easier for you to slice them. Feel free to take it back into the microwave for another fifteen to make it softer.
Can I Refreeze Ginger?
No, usually, most of the flavor in ginger comes from the moisture in its body. That means that you extract some of the moisture when you thaw it, which makes it lose its flavor.
I, therefore, don’t recommend that you refreeze your ginger roots. Instead, defrost the ginger you need to use at that time.
How to Store Ginger Root
You should store ginger roots the same way you’d store any other spices. In other words, you should store your ginger in a cool, dry place – away from a heat source. And because it’s recommended that you keep your ginger within your arm’s reach, a cupboard will be better.
If your ginger has a package, ensure that you seal it once you open it to use it. If your ginger came in a paper package, you’d not be able to reseal it, so transfer to a container that you can easily reseal.
So depending on the amount of time you’d like to store your ginger roots, you can choose any of these methods below:
1. Preserve Ginger in Spirits
If you purchase more than enough ginger or peeled more than you needed for your recipe, put some in a glass jar, then fill it with Vodka and ensure you cover the ginger roots completely.
You can store your ginger roots for many weeks using this method. However, you’ll need to remove the ginger roots when you notice that the alcohol has started looking cloudy.
2. Plant Ginger in a Pot
Another unique way of making sure you don’t miss ginger roots is to plant ginger in a pot and keep the pot on your windowsill. And like any other houseplant, it will send leaves and shoots.
When you need to use ginger, just go into your pot, lift the ginger and cut off the roots, you’ll need, then return to the pot. However, remember to water the plant regularly.
3. Refrigerate Your Ginger
Lastly, you can refrigerate your ginger with its peels. However, refrigerating ginger won’t keep it longer like the other storage methods discussed in this post.
If you want to extend its lifespan, put your ginger roots in a freezer bag, remove any excess air from the bag and place it in your fridge crisper drawer.
If you are in a hurry, place your ginger roots in the fridge using the bag you bought them in.
How Long Does Ginger Last?
The average time ginger can last is between weeks to months, but let’s get a little specific. Dried ground ginger will, in most cases, last for months or years after the “best by date.”
However, you must note that dried and ground ginger will begin to lose its flavor after the “best by date,” so it’s better to use it up after its “best by date.”
Let’s turn our focus now on fresh ginger root. Many factors come into play. First, smooth peel ginger will last for longer than wrinkled skin ginger. Secondly, your ginger could start getting moldy even without you knowing.
Therefore, fresh ginger can last for up to a week if you store it in the pantry and up to one month when you store it in the fridge. If you freeze it, your ginger could last up to nine months.
How to Tell if Ginger Has Gone Bad
There are a few things that can prove to you that your ginger has gone bad. If there are no wet spots, clumps, signs of mold, then your ginger is safe to use.
However, as we have mentioned, the flavor of ginger will deteriorate over time. If you need to determine its aroma, rub the ginger and smell it. You can use the ginger if the original smell still exists.
Mold is another obvious sign that your ginger roots have gone bad. If you notice any mold, throw the ginger root away and use another that’s still fresh. In some cases, you may cut the part with molds and use the remaining part immediately.
The last sign that your mold has gone bad is the difference in texture. Good ginger is usually firm to touch, while ginger that has gone bad will feel soft. Additionally, the skin will begin to turn yellow. If you notice any of these, your ginger has gone bad and it’s time to get another.
Related Questions
1. Do you have to peel ginger before you freeze it?
No, you don’t have to peel ginger before you can freeze it. You can always freeze your ginger whole. If your ginger is too large, you may need to cut the ginger into smaller pieces before starting to freeze it.
2. Does freezing ginger lose nutrients?
No, it preserves the nutrients that ginger has. In other words, freezing ginger won’t make it lose nutrients or kill the nutrients in any way. But you must also note that nutrients will reduce over time.
3. How do you preserve fresh ginger root?
The best way to preserve ginger root is to put the whole ginger root in a resealable plastic container or bag and release any excess air as much as you can.
Once that is done, put it in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can put the ginger roots in a freezer bag and then put them in the freezer to last for up to nine months.
Know enough about Ginger Yet?
Hopefully, you now have the answer to “can you freeze ginger root.” These are practical tips that you can implement right away. Please don’t wait – test them out and let us know how it went next time I publish a post like this.
Meanwhile, please let me know if you’d have experience with ginger roots – how you store them or how you use them. I also love trying out new ideas and it would be best if I can also pick a few tips from you.
