This tutorial on how to freeze carrots includes everything you need to know about preserving carrots for future use. You’ll learn how long to blanch carrots, how to store them in the freezer, and how to use frozen carrots in recipes.
When it comes to preserving food, the freezer is one of the most valuable tools. A well-stocked freezer can help you put meals together even when the fridge and cupboards are bare, cut down on grocery bills, and enjoy batch cooked meals at a later time.
But one of the best uses of the freezer is being able to store veggies that would otherwise go to waste. If you find yourself purchasing too many carrots by accident, receiving a ton of them in a CSA box, or having a particularly successful harvest in your backyard garden, this post is for you!
In the sections that follow, you’ll learn how to freeze carrots so that you can enjoy them at a later time and avoid food waste.
Freezing carrots is such a great way to avoid waste. It will also make cooking them a little quicker from frozen. Like most vegetables, if frozen raw, the texture, taste, colour and nutritional value of carrots deteriorates. Make sure you blanch the veg to preserve these elements.
How to Prepare Carrots for Freezing
- Gather the following equipment: vegetable peeler (optional), cutting board and knife, pot of boiling water, slotted spoon, mixing bowl with ice water, baking sheet, parchment or wax paper, and freezer bags (use Stasher bags for a reusable option).
- Clean and trim the carrots. You do not need to peel them, and in fact you will preserve more nutrients if you keep the peels, but it’s up to you.
- Slice them into ½-inch coins.
- Drop the carrot slices into the boiling water to blanch them for a few minutes.
- Remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer to the mixing bowl with ice water.
- Drain the carrots, and place them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Transfer to the freezer for an hour or two until frozen solid. This is known as flash freezing and helps ensure that the carrots don’t stick together.
- Place them in a freezer bag and seal tightly.
How Long to Blanch Carrots
According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, diced or sliced carrots should be blanched for 2 minutes. Small, whole carrots (like baby carrots) should be blanched for 5 minutes.
Blanching is the process of cooking food for a short time in boiling water followed by plunging the food immediately into ice water to stop the cooking. This process helps to preserve the quality, texture, color, and nutrition of vegetables.
Can you freeze carrots without blanching them first?
FAQ
How do you freeze whole raw carrots?
Do I have to peel carrots before freezing?
Can you freeze raw carrots and celery?
How long do carrots last in freezer without blanching?
Can you freeze raw carrots?
Yes, you can freeze raw, uncooked carrots if you’d like. However, they may lose their color and become mushy when thawed. Do you have to blanch carrots before freezing? No, you don’t have to blanch carrots before freezing them. Just keep in mind their texture and flavor may decline if you don’t. How do you know if frozen carrots are bad?
What happens if you freeze carrots in a non-defrosting freezer?
Self-defrosting freezers occasionally rise to temperatures above freezing to melt the frost. This action will reduce the lifespan of your frozen carrots as well as your other frozen foods. Non-defrosting freezers keep the food below freezing, which extends shelflife.
How long can you keep carrots in the freezer?
Keep the carrots in the freezer for up to 10-12 months. Although frozen, unblanched carrots can stay preserved for 10-12 months, their taste and texture may change over time. If possible, try to use the carrots within 1-2 months for the best flavor.
Can you freeze unblanched carrots?
Although blanching is an excellent way to preserve a carrot’s flavor before storing, it can be a time-consuming process. If you’d prefer not to blanch your carrots, you can freeze unblanched carrots for up to 10 months at a time. Depending on your preferences, you can store unblanched carrots by chopping, shredding, or pureeing them beforehand.