My boyfriend and I love making Mexican raw vegetable bowls. One of the ingredients is the use of cabbage leaves as the dish’s bowl. We only have to use the large cabbage leaves and leave the smaller leaves behind. In order to use to not waste them, I sautéed the rest. Now, we can’t finish both foods. I decided to freeze the cooked cabbages. Will it be okay to freeze them?
Cabbage is a widely used vegetable in a lot of dishes prepared around the world. It just so happen that your favorite is the Mexican raw vegan bowls, but there is just too many cabbage leaves leftover. For it to not go to waste, you decided to just cook a different dish with it but you know it will not be eaten for the next few days and so you store them in the freezer. But can you really freeze it?
Yes, you can! In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. It can even last until the next 3 months.
Freezing the Cooked Cabbage
There is nothing wrong with freezing a whole cooked cabbage. Several households had done this before a lot of times.
In fact, you can let it stay frozen for around three months! You can serve the cabbage dish at your preferred time until totally consumed.
If you leave your cooked cabbage in the freezer for longer than 3 months, it will start to lose its flavor, and the nutrients will start to deteriorate the whole bunch.
You are freezing the cooked cabbage to make it last for a while until the next meal so is mindful in properly preparing them.
Cabbage can vary in color. It may be in green, red, or purple. The leaves’ texture may also vary from being smooth to crinkle.
With less than 20 calories per half-cup cooked, it is a sure, healthy dish that wouldn’t ruin anyone’s diet.
How to Freeze Cooked Cabbage
There are methods to follow to preserve the cooked cabbage a little longer. One way is by boiling the cabbage and another way is by preparing the ready-to-eat dish may be by seasoning and sautéing.
Freezing Cabbage by Boiling
- First, after boiling the cabbage with water, drain and let them dry and cool off. You can use a paper towel in this process to save time.
- Next, place the cabbage in a flat surface container or baking pan and pre-freeze them in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This is to stiffen the cabbage.
- Remove the pan out of the freezer and place the cabbage in a ziplock bag.
- Remove the air inside by rolling the unsealed bag over. Seal the bag and unroll.
- Toss them inside the freezer until your next use.
Freezing Cabbage by Pre-cooking
- Cook your cabbage as desired. The idea here is to preserve the cabbage as a ready-to-eat dish.
- Make sure to undercook your cabbage. It will be cooked when you reheat it for serving.
- Place per serving in a container. Seal the container airtight.
- Place it inside the freezer.
Consume within 3 months.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Cooked Cabbage?
Cooked cabbage is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra cooked cabbage? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover cooked cabbage:
- Add it to soup – Cabbage is a great addition to soup. Just add it in with your other favorite soup ingredients, and you’ll have a hearty and healthy meal in no time.
- Make a slaw – Cabbage makes a great base for slaw. Just add in some shredded carrots, diced apples, and a dressing of your choice, and you’ll have a tasty side dish in no time.
- Use it as filling for tacos – Cabbage makes a great filling for tacos. Just add it to your favorite taco shells with some meat and cheese, and you’ll have a delicious and easy meal in no time.
- Make a stir-fry – Cabbage is a great addition to any stir-fry. Just add it in with your other favorite stir-fry ingredients, and you’ll have a healthy and flavorful dish in no time.
- Add it to eggs – Cabbage is also a great way to add some extra flavor and nutrition to your eggs. Just scramble or fry some eggs and add in some chopped cabbage, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy breakfast in no time.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover cooked cabbage. Next time you find yourself with extra cooked cabbage, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Recipes for Cabbages
Cabbage is probably the easiest vegetable to cook with and not to mention really healthy! One recipe you can try is a flavorful, hot cabbage soup. It is not only appetizing to look at but the aroma will make you just want to sip right away.
Another recipe is to make a cabbage slaw. It is a perfect side dish with your favorite meals.
Lastly, aside from your favorite Mexican raw vegan bowls, to complete your set of meals is with a cabbage casserole. A tasty, meaty, and healthy casserole will definitely make any day better!
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze cooked cabbage. Freezing it preserves its texture which means your frozen meal will still taste just as good once fully reheated. However, keep in mind that heating raw cabbage before freezing it may change its color and ruin the taste of the dish. Here are instructions on how to freeze cooked cabbage: prepare your desired vegetables, rinse them in cold water to clean, pat dry with paper towels, chop finely or leave as they are if you want to use them for soups or stews, pack them into an air-tight container or freezer bag. Seal the container well and label it. Freeze.
What is your experience with freezing cooked cabbage? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.