Can You Freeze Braised Red Cabbage – How Do You Freeze Braised Red Cabbage?

Can You Freeze Braised Red Cabbage: Whether you want to use them in salads, stews, soups, casseroles, or a side dish to potatoes and meat, red cabbage is a versatile vegetable that you can have in your kitchen. This vegetable is filled with nutrients and can be cooked in different ways. Red cabbage is great for weight watchers as two cups of it contain only 44 calories. Red cabbage is rich in vitamins C, K, B-6, and A.

It is also filled with flavonoids and anthocyanins that protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and even cancer. However, you can have way too much braised red cabbage and would like to freeze it for later use. In this article, you will learn how to freeze braised red cabbage, the perfect braised red cabbage recipe, ways to defrost braised red cabbage, and much more. Read on.

Can You Freeze Braised Red Cabbage

Does Braised Red Cabbage Freeze Well?

Yes, braised red cabbage freezes extremely well. Braising ensures that the flavor and texture of the red cabbage are maintained. Braised red cabbage can stay frozen for up to three months. However, to freeze properly, it needs sufficient time to cool before putting it into freezer-safe bags and popping it in the freezer.

How To Braise Red Cabbage?

Following is a recipe that can be used to braise red cabbage.

Ingredients 

  • Chopped red cabbage – 6 cups
  • Peeled and sliced apple – 1
  • Slivered onion – half
  • Apple cider vinegar – ¼ cup
  • White sugar – 3 tablespoons
  • Water – ⅓ cup
  • Cloves ⅛ teaspoon
  • Salt and Pepper – to taste

Method

  • Mix all ingredients in a large saucepan
  • Bring to a boil
  • Put the oven on low simmer and cover
  • Cook for an hour and thirty minutes by stirring occasionally.
  • Add more water if required
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

How To Freeze Braised Red Cabbage?

You can freeze red cabbage after braising using the following method

  • Set Aside: Set aside the quantity of braised red cabbage you wish to freeze.
  • Cool: Freezing warm braised red cabbage will turn out to be soggy. Allow the red cabbage an ample amount of time to cool to room temperature.
  • Portion: separate the braised red cabbage into separate portions and place each in different freezer-safe bags.
  • Seal: squeeze out all the air from the freezer-safe bags and seal them. Proper sealing would ensure that your braised red cabbage is protected from freezer burn.
  • Label and Freeze: label the bags with dates. Write the date of freezing and the use-by date. Frozen braised red cabbage stays good to use for three months. Place the bags into the freezer.

Read More:

How Long Can Braised Red Cabbage Be Frozen?

Braised red cabbage remains good to use in the freezer for up to three months. The taste and the texture start to degrade after that.

How To Thaw Frozen Braised Red Cabbage?

To thaw frozen braised red cabbage, transfer the freezer-safe bags into the refrigerator from the freezer. Leave them overnight to thaw.

Frozen braised red cabbage can also be thawed in the microwave but two things should be kept in mind. Make sure that the microwave has a designated defrost feature and make sure not to overheat the frozen red cabbage. Overheating may make the braised red cabbage soggy. You can then reheat it in any way.

Can Frozen Braised Red Cabbage Be Refrozen?

No. You can only freeze the braised red cabbage once and can retain the flavor and texture. Refreezing would mean that the braised red cabbage will turn soggy and lose its crunch and flavor.

Tips To Freeze Braised Red Cabbage

Following are some tips you can follow while freezing braised red cabbage.

  • Don’t overcook your red cabbage while braising. Ensure that it doesn’t get soggy.
  • Defrost your frozen braised cabbage completely before reheating. This will ensure that the heat is disbursed evenly and thoroughly when you reheat.
  • You can also freeze raw red cabbage after blanching it in hot water for a few seconds.

Ways To Use Braised Red Cabbage After Thawing

Braised red cabbage works well as a side for multiple dishes. Here are a few

  • Roasted Chicken: You can roast chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes until cooked and serve with braised red cabbage on the side.
  • Fried Rice: braised red cabbage goes extremely well with fried rice. Simply fry some rice with sauteed vegetables, add a dash of soy sauce and you are good to go
  • Crunchy Orange And Chicken Salad: cook some chicken breast or use up some leftover rotisserie chicken and mix them with mandarin oranges for some zesty juiciness. Use braised red cabbage as a side.
  • Bacon Pea Salad: Toss some braised red cabbage with peas, radishes, green onions, salt, and parsley in a bowl and add some crispy bacon into the mix.
  • Honey Cilantro Chicken Wings: bake chicken wings until they are crispy and then toss them into honey cilantro glaze and sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds.
  • Roasted Veggies: An assortment of roasted vegetables goes great with braised red cabbage. Choose your favorite from carrotss, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans, and sweet potatoes, and roast them in the oven.
  • Baked potato wedges: Bake some potato wedges with a dash of salt and olive oil until crispy golden and serve them as a side with braised red cabbage.

You can also learn about the cabbage in detail by referring to our other articles on Can You Freeze Cooked Cabbage, etc.

FAQs On Freezing Braised Red Cabbage

1. How long can braised red cabbage last in the refrigerator?

If you do not freeze your braised red cabbage and yet want to preserve it in the fridge, it will last for about 5 days in the refrigerator

2. Can you refreeze braised red cabbage?

No, braised red cabbage cannot be refrozen. If refrozen it turns soggy and loses its flavor and texture.

3. How long does frozen braised red cabbage last in the freezer?

You can use the frozen braised red cabbage for about three months after freezing it. Post that the flavor and texture are degraded.

Conclusion

Hope the detailed information furnished above answers all your queries regarding freezing braised red cabbage. Do write to us in the comment section for any further information and you will be guided by our experts. Visit our website to know more about how to freeze and store vegetables.

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