Mint sauce is a savory, mint-flavored sauce used to flavor lamb, fish, and vegetables. The sauce originates from English cuisine, but can also be found in Indian cuisine. It’s typically made with mint leaves, vinegar, sugar and other ingredients that are left to steep together overnight before the preparation of the dish begins in the morning.
Mint sauces are naturally hard to make because they are made with raw mint leaves. After making mint sauce, you may find yourself wanting to freeze them for later.
In the article, we will go through the detail on whether freezing mint sauce is possible and other related questions.
Can You Freeze Mint Sauce?
Yes, you can freeze mint without much effort. But there are several methods to do that. Depending on the way you choose, the time your sauce stays fresh will differ a lot. Before you freeze the mint sauce, you have to decide what you are going to make with them.
What Is Mint Sauce?
Mint sauce has been around for hundreds of years, though the exact origins are unknown. It was likely that people made their own sauces before commercial producers began to create them in large batches. However, there are records of commercial production dating back to Roman times when Pliny mentions “mint” in his writings about what might be used to make sauces like garum (a fermented fish sauce) or liquamen (a fermented fish or meat broth).
Mint sauce is a condiment typically served on lamb dishes. It is an accompaniment to the lamb dish and is typically not eaten alone.
Mint sauce is made by combining mashed mint leaves, vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.
The ingredients used in the sauce vary from region to region and may also be made with other herbs such as thyme or oregano.
It can be served hot or cold and is sometimes used as a dipping sauce for meatballs or prawns
Does Mint Sauce Freeze Well?
Mint sauce freezes well because it has both a low freezing point and a high freezing point. The low freezing point makes it easy to freeze the sauce while the high freezing point keeps the flavor of mint intact.
However, before you freeze it, you have to make sure that it is completely cooled. Putting the sauce in the freezer with all of its ingredients still warm is not recommended because then it will most likely burn.
The only thing downside to freezing mint sauce is it will cause the ingredients to separate. The oil in the sauce will separate out and rise to the top of the container. When you defrost it, your sauce will be greasy.
How To Freeze Mint Sauce?
Mint sauce is a great addition to any meal. It can be used as an ice cream topping or as an ingredient in desserts. The best method to freeze mint sauce is as ice cubes.
Here are some easy step-by-step instructions for freezing mint sauce.
Step 1: Prepare Ice Cube Tray
With the ice cube tray, clean it thoroughly with water. Depending on how much mint sauce you have, you may need more than one ice cube tray.
Step 2: Pour Into Tray
Pour the mint sauce into each slot. Leave a small space at the top of the slot to allow the sauce to expand during freezing.
Step 3: Flash Freezing
Place the tray of mint sauce into the freezer. Let it sit for about 3-4 hours to freeze completely.
Step 4: Transfer to Freezer Bag
Once the mint sauce is completely frozen, remove them from the freezer. Immediately, transfer them to the freezer bag. Then press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it.
Step 5: Label and Freeze
Write the date of freezing on the freezer bag and place them back into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Mint Sauce?
Mint sauce has a shelf life of about 6 months when it’s stored in the freezer. The mint sauce should be frozen in an airtight container or sealable bag for the longest shelf life.
After that time, the mint sauce will start to deteriorate in quality. The ingredients will start to separate and lose some of their flavors.
However, the sauce will still be safe to eat, but you may not enjoy eating very much.
How Do You Defrost Mint Sauce?
The best method to thaw mint sauce is in the refrigerator. Letting it thaw slowly will have less effect on the taste and texture of the sauce.
Place the jar of mint sauce on a plate and put it in the fridge overnight to thaw. In the morning, you can then remove the lid before you use it.
If you need mint sauce much sooner, the next defrosting option is the microwave. To defrost mint sauce, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a plate or plastic wrap. The plate or plastic wrap will prevent condensation from dripping on the sauce and creating an unpleasant taste. Cook in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Can You Refreeze Mint Sauce?
Yes, you can refreeze mint sauce. However, only if the sauce is stored in the fridge and has not thawed completely yet. You can freeze the sauce again without much damage to the texture or taste.
On the other hand, if the sauce has thawed completely or left at room temperature, it’s best to not refreeze it. More than likely, the mint sauce will deteriorate further. You should finish using the sauce and discard any that you have leftovers.
Conclusion
Freezing mint sauce is a great way to preserve the flavor of fresh mint. However, if you are not careful about how you do it, your mint sauce will end up tasting bland due to freezer burn!