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Freezing Cucumbers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 858 Posts
June 19, 2006
A bunch of ripe green cucumbers.

Selecting High-Quality Cucumbers:

Cucumbers do not freeze well by traditional methods, but if sliced, preserved in vinegar or brine and frozen, they will retain their texture and make delicious additions to salads year round. Select cucumbers that are firm and have a rich, deep green color. For freezing, they are best harvested when they are 4 to 6 inches in length and 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Organic cucumbers may not look as bright and shiny, but they are healthier because they are not coated with wax.
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Preparing for Freezing:

Wash, remove wax and peel. Remove the wax from non-organic cucumbers with detergent and a brush. Slice cucumbers thinly with a food processor or knife.

Brine Recipe:

In a large bowl, mix 2 quarts of cucumbers with chopped onions and 2 tablespoons of salt. Let stand for 2 hours. Rinse well with cold water, drain and return to clean bowl. Add 2/3 cup of oil, 2/3 cup vinegar, 2/3 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of celery seed. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Freezing:

Pack cucumbers in brine in rigid plastic containers or glass jars, leaving 1 inch of head space. Freeze. Wait at least 1 week before defrosting and eating.

Maximum Storage Time:

Cucumbers preserved in brine will last several months in the freezer.

Thawing:

Defrost cucumbers in brine in the refrigerator.

Tips & Shortcuts:

If you have a zone in your refrigerator where the temp hovers around balmy 40ºF (like the inside door) fresh cucumbers will keep best when stored there.
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Refrigerating Cucumbers:

Store fresh cucumbers in perforated plastic, dry paper towels or a paper bag, or store them unwrapped in the vegetable crisper for 4 to 5 days. Cucumbers preserved in brine will keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge.
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11 Questions

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

July 24, 2011

Can you freeze cucumbers?

By Russell S


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August 22, 20110 found this helpful
Best Answer

I just thought I'd share that I made some tabouli and the recipe made a huge amount. I couldn't eat all of it so I thought I wonder how it would be if I froze it. I put it in individual serving containers and tried it, thinking it would probably turn to mush.

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But I was very surprised! It froze beautifully. It was not mushy at all, in fact when defrosted the cucumbers were still nice and crunchy. :)

 
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July 31, 2011

Can I freeze cucumbers?

By Starr B.


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August 3, 20111 found this helpful
Best Answer

Google a recipe for frozen pickles. I have made them and they are very good, like a sweet pickle.

 
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July 13, 2010

Can you freeze fresh cucumbers?

By MELISSA from Madison, IN

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July 14, 20100 found this helpful
Best Answer

They turn soft and mushy when frozen. I think it is due to the high water content. But if you brine them like in a recipe for freezer pickles you can.

 
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June 17, 2010

Can you freeze sliced cucumbers to pickle at a later date?

By Blove from Randolph, AL

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Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 270 Feedbacks
June 21, 20101 found this helpful
Best Answer

Anything with moisture content is going to change structure when the cells freeze. When fall comes and we get the first freeze, that is enough to begin the mush process. That is why to put zucchini in the freezer for future use in baking, you must shred it and then expect more moisture to 'press out' to use in a recipe.

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All frozen veggies will react according to their water content. That is why it is best to bake with the product then freeze it instead of the ingredients.

 
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June 28, 2012

Can you freeze cucumbers from the garden?

By Sherry H

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July 1, 20120 found this helpful
Best Answer

Sorry, but my experience is that they are super mushy when thawed.

 
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February 2, 2015

Why do you have to add sugar? Will this not make the cucumbers too sweet?

By Anthony

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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts
August 20, 20171 found this helpful

Cucumbers have a high water content. To freeze them, they need to be brined. You can brine them with salt or sugar.

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You rinse it all off at the time of use. It really doesn't affect the flavor.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
August 20, 20170 found this helpful

You see better off making pickles out of them.

 
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September 8, 2014

I was just wondering why you have to add onions to the brine. Does this not change the taste of the cucumbers?

By Amber

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July 6, 2014

Can I freeze cucumbers for a short period of time minus the brain?

By Cynthia from TX

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 116 Feedbacks
July 7, 20140 found this helpful

I would not recommend freezing cucumbers for any length of time because of their high water content. They will become mushy.

 
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July 1, 2014

I can't use sugar, sugar feeds cancer. I have cancer and a lot of cucumbers.

By Ray from Ephrata, WA

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October 6, 20190 found this helpful

You are absolutely correct. Sugar does feed cancer. Anyone with cancer should starve their body of all sugar, it will starve the cancer! Great advise!

 
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July 22, 2012

After freezing the pickles, how long will they keep in the freezer? How do I thaw them out for eating? Thank you.

By Karla W from Washta, IA

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Food and Recipes Freezing VegetablesAugust 30, 2011
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