If you enjoy using beetroots in the kitchens, you will need to store the root vegetable for later. Would freezing beetroots be one of the storage options?
Can you freeze beetroot? Yes, you can freeze beetroot, and they freeze extremely well. Depending on what you’ll be using them for, you can either freeze them cooked or raw. Properly stored, beetroot will last up to 12 months in the freezer.
Does Beetroot Freeze Well?
Beetroot freeze extremely well due to the high moisture content. Properly stored, you will have a hard time telling the difference between frozen and fresh beetroot.
Beetroot can be frozen either fresh, cooked, steamed, or pickled. Whichever way you choose to freeze them, the texture of it will be altered a bit.
For that reason, frozen beetroot isn’t a good choice for use in a salad. For cooking or eating them raw, they should taste fine.
How To Freeze Beetroot
When it comes to freezing beetroot, you have two options. You can either freeze them cooked or uncooked.
Freezing Uncooked Beetroot
If you’re planning to keep the beetroot in the freezer for a long time, freezing them uncooked is the best option.
You’ll need to blanch the vegetable first to ensure the texture and flavor do not change while it’s frozen.
Below are steps to freezing uncooked beetroot:
Step 1: Prepare Beetroot
Start by washing the beetroot thoroughly. Then with a sharp knife, peel and cut the beetroots into cubes, slices, or wedges.
You should cut the beetroot to the size according to what you’ll be using them for later.
Step 2: Blanch
In a large pot, heat the water until it starts to boil. Then add a couple of teaspoons of salt to the pot.
Place the beetroot into the pot. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the edges have softened some.
Step 3: Cool Down
Scoop the beetroot out of the pot and place them into a bowl of ice-cold water. This will stop the vegetable from cooking any further.
Step 4: Allow Beetroot to Dry
Once the beetroots have cooled down, drain the water from the bowl. Allow the vegetable to air dry.
To help speed up the drying process, use paper towels and gently pat on the beetroot. This will help remove any excess water that’s on them.
Step 5: Flash Freeze
On a baking tray, lay a sheet of parchment paper. Then lay the beetroots onto the tray. Place them so that they don’t touch each one.
Cover the tray with cling film and place it into the freezer. Let it sit for about 3 hours or overnight. This will allow it to freeze completely, which will prevent the beetroots from sticking to each other when it’s bagged up.
Step 6: Bag Up
Once the beetroots are completely frozen, remove them from the freezer. Immediately transfer them to a freezer bag. Avoid putting too much in a single bag. Use another freeze bag if you have a lot of vegetables to freeze.
After they are all in the bag, press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it tightly.
Step 7: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write down the date of freezing and content on the freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer for storage.
Freezing Cooked Beetroot
When it comes to freezing cooked beetroot, the method to freezing them is similar to the one above.
Start by laying a sheet on a tray. Then place the cooked beetroots onto the tray. Transfer them to the freezer for about 3 hours.
Once it’s completely frozen, immediately place them into a freezer bag. Press on the bag to remove any excess air and seal the bag tightly. Then label the bag with the freezing date and place them into the freezer.
For cooked beetroots, the texture and flavor will deteriorate quickly. This is the reason why I recommend freezing uncooked beetroot that’s blanched so the flavor of it will last a long time.
Therefore, for best taste, make sure to use frozen cooked beetroots within 3 months.
How Long Can You Freeze Beetroot?
Beetroot can last for up to 1 year in the freezer. This applies to both cooked or uncooked beetroot.
After a year, the quality of the vegetable will start to deteriorate. Due to the high water content, beetroot will suffer from freezer burn.
However, the vegetable will still be safe to eat, but you may not enjoy the taste of it.
To ensure that the beetroot still tastes as fresh as when it was picked, try to eat or use it within a year. Also, make sure that they are properly stored, either in an airtight container or freezer bag.
How Do You Defrost Beetroot?
The best way to defrost beetroot is to place them in the fridge. This will ensure the root vegetable will thaw without the texture or flavor changes.
Remove the amount of beetroot you need from the freezer and place it onto a plate or a bowl. This will collect the melted ice. Leave them in the fridge overnight to thaw.
In the morning, after it’s completely thawed, you can eat them.
If you’re planning to use beetroot in cooking, you do not need to reheat it. Doing so will cause the vegetable to become soggy when it’s cooked.
Can You Refreeze Beetroot?
When it comes to refreezing beetroot, this is something I don’t recommend. Like most vegetables, beetroot has a lot of moisture. When it’s frozen more than once, it will lose a lot of that moisture.
Once it’s thawed for the second time, not only will it lose some liquid, but along with the flavor.
However, if the beetroot has not thawed yet, you can refreeze them. This means you took the vegetable out of the freezer for no longer than 10 minutes. You can place them back into the freezer without affecting the texture or taste.
Other Questions about Beetroot
Can you freeze beetroot juice?
Beetroot juice makes a great addition to use in smoothies or used for cooking. If you need to freeze beetroot juice, you can definitely do so.
The best way to freeze beetroot juice is in an ice cube tray. This way, all you need to do is pop a couple of frozen cubes from the tray and place them directly into the smoothie or foods that you are cooking.