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Frozen cauliflower is great to have on hand to use in casseroles and soups throughout the year. Just blanch fresh cauliflower while it's at its peak to preserve its flavor and nutrients, then place the florets in freezer bags and store them. See Step 1 to learn how to freeze cauliflower.
Steps
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Pick out fresh cauliflower. Pick young, fresh cauliflower at its peak to freeze. The florets should be tight and white. Avoid heads with brown spots or limp parts. When you thaw cauliflower that was frozen after its peak, you won't be impressed with the flavor and texture.- You can pick your own cauliflower or buy it from a farmer's market for optimum freshness.
- Avoid freezing very large heads or heads that have already been stored at room temperature for awhile.
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Wash the cauliflower. Use cool running water to rinse away any dirt, bugs and pesticides that have gotten trapped in the cauliflower's tight florets. If you picked the cauliflower, you might want to submerge it in a bowl of warm water to make sure you wash out all the nooks and crannies. Watch carefully, as spiders like to hide in between the flowers.Advertisement -
Remove all leaves. The green leaves can be discarded. Only the white florets will be frozen.
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Cut the cauliflower. Use a sharp knife to trim away any brown spots. Cut the cauliflower into 1-inch florets for easy freezing. You can also use your hands to split the florets apart.
- If you prefer, you can cut the cauliflower into larger or smaller pieces.
- Think ahead about what you might make with the cauliflower when you're deciding how to cut it. If you anticipate using it to make cauliflower soup, it doesn't matter whether the pieces are uniform, since they'll be pureed. If you're going to use it to make a roasted cauliflower side dish, you might want to make the pieces more uniform for a prettier presentation.
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Soak the florets in brine. If you're worried that the cauliflower florets might contain insects - a common issue with freshly-picked cauliflower - you can take the extra precaution of soaking them in brine. Fill a large bowl with a gallon of tap water and 4 teaspoons of salt. Soak the cauliflower florets for 30 minutes. Any insects will float to the top. [1] X Research source Discard the brine and rinse the cauliflower once more.
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanching cauliflower will destroy enzymes that cause it to break down and lose its color and flavor. To blanch cauliflower, bring enough water to cover the cauliflower to a rolling boil in a large pot. [2] X Research source
- Neglecting to blanch the cauliflower before freezing it will probably result in mushy, discolored cauliflower when you thaw it later. It's worth the effort to blanch it first.
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Make an ice bath. While the water is coming to a boil, place ice cubes and water in a bowl large enough to hold the cauliflower. You'll plunge the blanched cauliflower into the water after boiling it to immediately stop it from overcooking.
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Place the cauliflower in the boiling water. Boil it for 3 minutes, which is long enough to kill the enzymes that ruin the cauliflower's flavor over time. If you have too much cauliflower to fit in the pot all at once, blanch it in patches.
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Transfer the cauliflower to the ice bath. Use a slotted spoon to move it from the pot to the bath of ice, to stop it from overcooking. After about 3 minutes, you can drain the water and ice away. The cauliflower is now ready to freeze.
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Portion the cauliflower into freezer-safe containers. Freezer bags or tubs are your best bet for frozen cauliflower. For convenience, place enough cauliflower in each container to serve as the base for a full meal. For example, if you know you want to make cauliflower soup, you could place 2 - 3 cups of cauliflower in one storage container so you'll have the exact amount you need later.
- If you use freezer bags, try to squeeze out most of the air before sealing them. This will help preserve the cauliflower for a longer amount of time. You can also use a straw to suck out the excess air, then press the bag closed when you remove the straw.
- A foodsaver device or vacuum sealer work well for freezing large amounts of food.
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Freeze the cauliflower. Label your bags and place them on a shelf in your freezer. They will keep there for several months.
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Reheat the cauliflower when you're ready to use it. Frozen cauliflower only needs to be reheated for about 90 seconds after the blanching and freezing process. Simply drop the frozen florets into boiling water, or steam them . They are now ready to use in your favorite cauliflower recipe. Here are a few to try out:
- Cauliflower Soup
- Cauliflower Gratin
- Cauliflower Curry
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I freeze fresh broccoli and cauliflower without blanching?Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association).Make sure that your vegetables are washed and thoroughly dried. Then, cut them down into florets (small/individual bite-sized pieces). Lay them out on a sheet pan with parchment paper to freeze them before bagging them up into individual servings (or however you'd like to store them). Once you pull them out of the freezer, you can steam them, roast them, or cook them however you want.
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Question7 days ago I froze some cauliflower in a Ziploc bag. Now I see that most of the cauliflower became green. Can I use those or not?Community AnswerNo, because the cauliflower has begun to decompose in the freezer bag. You'll have to get more.
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QuestionHow long should the cauliflower be blanched for?Community Answer3 minutes, then it should be placed into an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain well and put the cauliflower in a Ziploc bag or freezer container. When ready to use, it only needs to be microwaved for 90 seconds.
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Tips
- Use only the freshest veggies for the best product. Cauliflower can be frozen while still warm but if you don't like ice crystals, let your cauliflower cool first. The cauliflower will be tastier and crisper if dry before freezing; avoid freezing them wet.Thanks
- They do not have to be defrosted prior to using. Add directly to stir fry or re-heat until warmed through in a small amount of broth or water, or in a microwave.Thanks
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Warnings
- Do not blanch in a microwave.Thanks
- Cut vegetables on separate cutting boards that are not used for raw meat.Thanks
- Be careful when cooking with steam. Wear a cooking glove when removing pot lids and lowering and removing the steamer basket. Do not put your face directly over a steaming pot.Thanks
- Use within 9 months for best taste and nutritional value.Thanks
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About This Article
Article Summary
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To freeze cauliflower, start by cutting it into small 1 inch florets. Then, boil the florets for 3 minutes to kill the enzymes in the cauliflower so it maintains its flavor and texture longer. After 3 minutes, immediately put the florets in a large bowl of ice water. Once the florets have cooled off, put them in a sealable freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer, where they'll stay good for several months. For tips on how to reheat your cauliflower once you're ready to eat it, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I have frozen many vegetables from my garden. A few years ago, I tried to freeze cauliflower. It turned into an unknown mess when I was using it as a side dish. Now my cauliflower looks great to put into freezer bags. Washing and blanching seems to do the trick." ..." more
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"I have frozen many vegetables from my garden. A few years ago, I tried to freeze cauliflower. It turned into an unknown mess when I was using it as a side dish. Now my cauliflower looks great to put into freezer bags. Washing and blanching seems to do the trick."
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"On coming back from holiday, I found I had seven large cauliflower all ready at once. Freezing looked like the best option, but I wasn't sure exactly how to go about it. This article solved my problem."
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"We have just started growing our own vegetables and we have lots of cauliflowers already. I was unsure of how to freeze them but found your instructions easy-to-follow and thorough."
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"I followed these steps and am very pleased with the neat little packages of blanched cauliflower in our freezer, which will remind us of summer in the cold winter months!"
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"I found a really good deal on cauliflower at the organic food store, and we love cauliflower dishes. This took care of how to take advantage of my great buy."
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