Coleslaw is one of the most versatile foods available. It can be used for topping, served as part of a picnic meal, or as a side dish to barbecued meat and chickens. If you end up with some leftover coleslaw, especially if you’ve made them yourself, you will want to store them for later. Would freezing coleslaw be an option?
Can you freeze coleslaw? Yes, you can freeze coleslaw. If the coleslaw use vinegar as one of the ingredient, it will freeze extremely well. Mayonnaise-based coleslaw, on the other hand, will freeze, but the dressing will break down when it’s thawed. Properly stored, coleslaw will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Does Coleslaw Freeze Well?
How well the coleslaw freezes will greatly depend on what ingredients are used.
If the coleslaw is made using vinegar or oil, it will freeze extremely well. There will be no texture and flavor changes when it’s frozen or thawed.
On the other hand, if you made coleslaw and one of the ingredients is mayonnaise, it won’t freeze that well. The coleslaw will freeze, but the problem arises when it’s thawed.
As it thaws, the mayonnaise-based coleslaw will break down, which will ruin it.
Therefore, it’s best to freeze only vinegar or oil-based coleslaw for the best result.
Another option you have is to freeze all the ingredients individually. You can freeze cabbage or red cabbage and carrots. Slice the vegetables and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Once you’re ready to make coleslaw, take the frozen vegetables from the freezer, let them thaw, and mix it with mayonnaise or vinegar.
How To Freeze Coleslaw
When it comes to freezing coleslaw, it’s straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of time.
However, the type of coleslaw you have will greatly impact how well it freezes. If you’ve bought coleslaw from the store, avoid those that use mayonnaise as one of the ingredients. It doesn’t freeze well and tends to break down when it’s thawed. There’s no point in freezing something that you’ll just end up throwing away.
Instead, try to freeze coleslaw that is oil or vinegar-based. These dressings freeze well and will leave you with fresh coleslaw when it’s thawed.
Below are the steps to freezing coleslaw:
Step 1: Bag Up
Place the coleslaw into an airtight container or freezer bag.
Step 2: Seal
If you’re using an airtight container, check the seals on the lid for any cracks or tears. If there are, replace the seal or the entire lid if you can’t find a replacement seal. Then secure the lid to the container tightly.
For freezer bag usage, press on the bag to remove excess air from it. Then seal the bag tightly.
Step 3: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write down the content and date of freezing on the airtight container or freezer bag. Then place it into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Coleslaw?
The coleslaw that is properly stored will last for around 6 months in the freezer. After that time, the coleslaw will start to deteriorate in quality.
However, it will still be safe to eat, but you may not enjoy the taste of it very much.
If the coleslaw is dressed, the longer it’s stored in the freezer, the softer it will become.
To ensure the taste of the coleslaw is at its best, try to consume it within 3 or 4 months.
How Do You Defrost Coleslaw?
The best way to thaw coleslaw is to leave them in the fridge overnight. Doing so will allow it to defrost slowly without the texture and flavor being altered.
The only downside to frozen coleslaw is that it will become watery once it’s thawed. A simple trick would be to drain the water from the coleslaw before you eat it.
Once the coleslaw is thawed, if you’re not ready to eat, you can leave them in the fridge for another 3 days. Be sure to consume it before this time or the texture will become soft, and the flavor will degrade.
Can You Refreeze Coleslaw?
When it comes to refreezing coleslaw, I highly recommend that you don’t do it. If it’s frozen and thawed more than once, the texture will likely break down quicker. This will leave you with a watery dressing and the vegetables will become soggy.
Instead, freeze the coleslaw in small portions. This way, you’ll only need to remove what you need from the freezer and not worry about having any leftovers.
Other Questions about Coleslaw
Can you freeze store-bought coleslaw?
It will depend on what ingredients are used. If it doesn’t have mayonnaise, you can freeze it. Mayonnaise doesn’t freeze well and will make the coleslaw become watery when it thaws. Check the label to make sure the coleslaw uses oil and vinegar-based dressing for best quality.
Can you freeze KFC coleslaw?
Unfortunately, you cannot freeze KFC coleslaw. They use a creamy sauce, which will affect the quality when it’s frozen. As it thaws, the texture will break down, which will leave you with soggy vegetables.