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Freezing Brussels Sprouts


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 858 Posts
June 10, 2006
Washed Brussel Sprouts

Selecting High-Quality Brussels Sprouts:

Select green (not yellow), firm and compact heads, with firm fitting leaves. They should look like tiny cabbages and not have a spongy or puffy texture. Small Brussels sprouts will be the most tender. Make sure to examine the heads carefully to make sure they are free from insects and damage.
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Preparing for Freezing:

Trim the heads by removing coarse outer leaves. Wash thoroughly and sort heads by size-small, medium and large.

Blanching Time:

Water-blanch small heads for 3 minutes, medium heads 4 minutes and large heads 5 minutes. Add 1 minute for steam blanching. Cool promptly and drain.

Best Freezing Method(s):

It's not necessary to leave headspace for foods such as broccoli, asparagus and Brussels sprouts, because they do not pack tightly in containers.

Suitable Packaging:

Freezer containers should be moisture and vapor resistant and should not be prone to cracking or breaking at low temperatures. Containers should provide protection against absorbing flavors or odors and should be easy to label. Suitable packaging for freezing Brussels sprouts includes freezer-grade plastic bags, rigid plastic containers or glass containers and heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Maximum Storage Time:

10 to 12 months at 0ºF.

Thawing:

Brussels sprouts can be added to dishes for cooking directly from the freezer without thawing.
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Tips & Shortcuts:

Before blanching, it's a good idea to immerse Brussels sprout in brine (4 teaspoons salt to 1 gallon water) for 30 minutes to remove insects.

Refrigerating Brussels sprouts:

Keep fresh Brussels sprouts in a perforated plastic bag for 2 to 3 weeks. Keep cooked Brussels in a covered container for up to 5 days.
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6 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

December 8, 2016

I froze some Brussels sprouts without blanching. Can they be saved?


Answers

December 8, 20160 found this helpful

Yes, but use them within the next couple of weeks.

 

Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 155 Answers
December 9, 20161 found this helpful

Of course. Unblanched veggies have a much longer freezer life than originally supposed. I never blanch mine, but they are not kept for longer than a few months, and I've never found any problem.

 

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December 9, 20161 found this helpful

I love to just wash, dry and package Brussels sprouts, cabbage and sliced/diced onions. All of these seem to do well without blanching and are ready to cook in very short time.

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It does seem that my Brussels sprouts lose some of their color but the taste is still very good.
How long will they keep in the freezer?
I have found that my veggies stay "fresher" when placed in my true freezer instead of my refrigerator freezer. I believe this is due to being able to keep my freezer at a true 0 degree temperature and my refrigerator freezer door is opened more often and thus temperature fluctuates and may not stay at the same degree all the time. I just try to use my veggies within two months after freezing.

I tend to use freezer bags most of the time so I try to dry veggies well and remove as much air from bags as possible, then just date and keep putting newer bags behind the older ones. I very seldom have lost veggies when following this method.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 239 Posts
December 9, 20161 found this helpful

If you defrost them to find they have gone mushy watery or disintegrated you could chop them to use in soups

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts
December 9, 20161 found this helpful

Yes Ma'am, they can. Commercial packers don't blanch Brussels sprouts before freezing. Do keep them as air tight as possible.

 
December 9, 20160 found this helpful

Indeed they can be saved. Just make sure they are properly sealed with the least amount of air to prevent freezer burn. Brussel sprouts tend to burn easily.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 11, 20160 found this helpful

Yes. You may lose something in the appearance or taste department if they stay frozen too long.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 182 Feedbacks
December 18, 20160 found this helpful

Prepare the Brussels sprouts by easing them, make an "x" in the root end, blanch in simmering salted water for about 2 minutes, immediately remove sprouts and plunge into a bowl of ice water, drain and put into freezer bags and place in freezer.

 
December 21, 20160 found this helpful

Yes but the cook time will be a little longer.

 

Silver Post Medal for All Time! 355 Posts
January 1, 20170 found this helpful

Yes, my answer would be to use them in soups or stews!

 
April 5, 20200 found this helpful

I am só concerned. The brussel sprouts are 10 days frozen. As I was taking it out, its appearance looks not good. They were firm and fresh when placed in the refrigerator.

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What kind of sick can happen to us? May I still use it, please and thank you. Any info would help me because I took it out to prepare for dinner

 
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January 25, 2012

Can these vegetables be frozen without blanching?

By Enid

Answers

January 27, 20129 found this helpful
Best Answer

Yes you can freeze Brussels sprouts without blanching first. For years, I blanched mine then a friend who had an allotment gave me a glut of Brussels and told me just to wash and dry and then bag. They are better when cooked and taste good. I have been doing this for years now. I also do it with cabbage just cut up first and do the same wash, etc., onions just slice and bag.

 
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November 19, 2016

I love to roast my Brussels sprouts coated in a little olive oil. Is this still possible if I freeze them? Will I still be able to peel the leaves?

Or should I peel and then freeze? They can't be mushy. Any ideas?

Answers


Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 155 Answers
December 28, 20160 found this helpful

Frozen Brussels sprouts will be mushy as the freezing breaks down the cell structure. One way round this is to slice your sprouts up very finely, and then freeze them.

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When you come to cook them they can be sautéed at a high temperature in a little butter, and regain some crispness that way.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 28, 20160 found this helpful

Brussels sprouts don't freeze well. If you do freeze them use them in soup

 
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January 20, 2012

Do you have to blanch fresh Brussel sprouts before you freeze them?

By Pat

Answers

January 24, 20120 found this helpful

Yes. It will help them to maintain their color and texture.

 
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October 3, 2011

Do you need to blanch or cook first? How do you freeze them?

By Maureen

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 846 Posts
October 4, 20110 found this helpful

Water blanching time table for brussels sprouts heads:
Small - 3 minutes
Medium - 4 minutes
Large - 5 minutes

Be sure to give the veggies an immediate ice water bath after the blanching to stop the cooking process. Pat veggies dry if you are going to be freezing them and remove as much air from the freezer bag as possible because both help to reduce freezer burn.

 
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Food and Recipes Freezing VegetablesNovember 29, 2011
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