How to Keep Ginger Fresh

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Ginger is a plant that can be used to spice up a bland dish or ease an upset stomach. While it’s certainly useful, ginger isn’t always easy to keep fresh. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to help it stay fresh and flavorful for longer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Storing Your Ginger at Room Temperature

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  1. If you haven’t cut into your ginger yet, then you can store it as-is on the counter or in your pantry. However, once you cut a piece off, you’ll need to cover up the exposed inside area in order to keep your ginger as fresh as possible. Simply tear off a small piece of aluminum foil and wrap it around the exposed area. Then, put it back onto your countertop or in your pantry until you need to cut off another piece. [1]
  2. If you plan on using all of your ginger within the week, it will stay fresh and flavorful if kept in the pantry. However, if you store it for longer, it may no longer taste good or be safe to consume. [2]
    • If you’re unsure, look at the ginger. Softness and moistness are the first major signs that indicate that your ginger is going bad, and it may begin to get moldy and inedible soon after this point.
    • You can also ferment fresh ginger so it stays good and helps with digestion. To do that, peel it and slice it into thin slices. Pound it lightly to release some of the juices and pack it down into a quart-size mason jar, leaving at least an inch of space at the top. Gently heat 1 cup of filtered water with 2 tablespoons of sea salt—heat the water just enough to dissolve the salt — and pour it into the mason jar. Cover the jar tightly with the lid and keep it in a dark, room temperature environment for 3 days. Then, it’s ready to eat! Just a small amount with meals is plenty.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    If you want to store your ginger at room temperature but you also want it to stay flavorful and safe to eat for a long time, buy it in these forms and keep it in the pantry. While ginger isn’t necessarily fresh in these forms, it should retain its flavor well for 2-3 years. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Refrigerating Your Ginger

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    To keep ginger fresh in the refrigerator for the longest time possible, use a paring knife or a spoon to peel it and then put it into a glass jar. Fill the jar to the top with vodka and screw the lid on tight. Keep the ginger in the refrigerator for as long as 2 months. [4]
    • When you want to use your ginger, unscrew the jar lid, pull the ginger out, and pat it dry before you slice off a piece. Then, put the remaining ginger back into the jar and close the lid.
    • If you’re old enough to drink alcohol, you can also use the vodka in the jar to make a cocktail after you’ve finished eating the ginger.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    If you don’t want to submerge your ginger in alcohol, store it without peeling it to keep it fresher for longer. Put it into a sealable plastic bag, press all of the air out, and then seal it tight. Then, put it in your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. [5] When stored in this way, your ginger will keep its flavor for up to 2 months. [6]
    • When you cut off a piece of your ginger, blot the exposed inside of the ginger with a paper towel before you put it back in the plastic bag and return it to the refrigerator. [7]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    This is a good storage option to try if you plan on consuming all of your ginger within a week or 2. [8] To ensure maximum freshness, wrap the ginger in a paper towel before you put it into the paper bag. Then, roll the bag up tight and put it in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. [9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Freezing Your Ginger

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    with a paring knife. If you want to freeze your ginger, peel it first so that it’s easier to use later on when it’s frozen. Ginger can be challenging to peel, so be sure to use a paring knife or a spoon to remove all of the ginger’s outer skin. [10]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    After you’ve taken off the skin, rip off a large sheet of plastic wrap and tightly wrap the ginger. Ensure that no part of the ginger is exposed to air, and then put it in a plastic bag, squeeze the air out, and seal it. [11]
    • Use a permanent marker to write down until what date the ginger will be good (kind of like an expiration date), that way you won't have to think back to how many months it's been since you put it in your freezer.
  3. for up to 6 months. Your ginger will stay flavorful and safe to consume for up to 6 months as long as it stays stored in the freezer. [12]
  4. When you want to use your ginger, take it out of the freezer, remove it from the plastic bag, and unwrap it. Then, apply pressure as you rub it against a microplane grater. Once you’ve grated what you need, simply rewrap the ginger, put it back in the plastic bag, and place it back into the freezer. [13]
    • Don’t bother thawing your ginger before you use it. [14]
    • Don’t leave your frozen ginger out of the freezer for longer than a couple of minutes, as ginger may no longer taste good if it’s frozen, thawed, and then refrozen before it’s consumed. [15]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Selecting Your Ginger

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  1. It’ll be much easier to keep your ginger fresh if you buy it in good condition. Ginger that feels firm to the touch and has smooth skin is typically high quality. Make sure to observe the ginger thoroughly and select one that has these characteristics in order to help keep it fresh for as long as possible. [16]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Ginger Fresh
    Don’t purchase ginger that feels soft, as this indicates poor quality. Also be on the lookout for any major skin blemishes, such as wrinkles, discoloration, and mold spots. Ginger with this kind of look and feel may be more difficult to keep fresh. [17]
  3. You’ll get the most for your money if you choose ginger that has a large area of flesh, as opposed to several small, knobby fingers. This may also make peeling your ginger easier. Go for ginger that is big and thick to make things easier on yourself. [18]
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  • Question
    How do you store ground ginger?
    Community Answer
    Carefully, take a piece of plastic wrap and wrap it around the unpeeled ginger with plastic wrap till it's fully wrapped, then place it in a zipper storage bag and make sure there is no extra air inside. Now just place it in the freezer and enjoy it for a couple of months.
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  • Question
    How do you store "ground" ginger?
    Jahkey Bee
    Community Answer
    Place it in a glass jar in a cool place or a resealable bag. And place in the freezer until ready for use.
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  • Question
    How long does ginger in water last in the refrigerator?
    Community Answer
    The best way to keep ginger is in dry sand; loose, clean sand. It will last longer than in the refrigerator.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Aluminum foil
      • Paring knife or spoon
      • Glass jar
      • Vodka
      • Sealable plastic bag
      • Paper towel
      • Paper bag
      • Plastic wrap
      • Microplane grater

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAejRal7mRQ&feature=youtu.be&t=43s
      2. ↑ http://www.eatbydate.com/other/spice-menu/how-long-does-ginger-last-shelf-life/
      3. ↑ http://www.eatbydate.com/other/spice-menu/how-long-does-ginger-last-shelf-life/
      4. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/best-way-to-store-fresh-ginger/
      5. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/q-and-a/a21178/storing-fresh-ginger/
      6. ↑ http://www.finecooking.com/article/whats-the-best-way-to-store-ginger
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/heres-the-best-way-to-store-fresh-ginger-tips-from-the-kitchn-214681
      8. ↑ http://www.finecooking.com/article/whats-the-best-way-to-store-ginger
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZyy-mQXbks&feature=youtu.be&t=2m9s
      1. ↑ https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/how-to-store-fresh-ginger-the-ginger-challenge-series/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZyy-mQXbks&feature=youtu.be&t=37s
      3. ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/how-to/store-fresh-ginger/
      4. ↑ https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/how-to-store-fresh-ginger-the-ginger-challenge-series/
      5. ↑ https://www.loveandlemons.com/sesame-ginger-chickpea-cakes/
      6. ↑ http://www.healwithfood.org/store-in-freezer/how-to-freeze-fresh-ginger.php
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/heres-the-best-way-to-store-fresh-ginger-tips-from-the-kitchn-214681
      8. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/heres-the-best-way-to-store-fresh-ginger-tips-from-the-kitchn-214681
      9. ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/how-to/store-fresh-ginger/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To keep ginger fresh at room-temperature, wrap aluminum foil around any exposed areas and store it in your pantry or on your countertop for up to 1 week. If you want to refrigerate your ginger, peel it with a paring knife or a spoon and keep it submerged in a jar of vodka for up to 2 months. For long-term storage, try freezing your ginger by peeling it, wrapping it in plastic wrap, and putting it in a sealed plastic bag with the air pressed out. To learn how to select high quality ginger at the store, scroll down!

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