As my pregnancy came to its last weeks, freezer meals were on top of my mind in preparation for this baby! But with an always-packed freezer, I have to be conscious of how much space things take.
Heres how I make Thai curries for the freezer that will reheat well AND will not take up unnecessary space. This video isnt so much as recipe, but more of a tips and tricks video. You can apply this method to any of my coconut-based Thai curry recipes. And now you will have a meal thats ready to be served in just a few minutes!
If coconut milk is used in a curry sauce then generally it should freeze without any major problems as the other ingredients will help to stabilise the milk a bit but there is always a risk it will split slightly when thawed – the risk increases if the coconut milk is a high proportion of sauce ingredients and also the …
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Hve got a lot of sauce left over and dont want to just chuck it. Can I freeze to add to another curry at a later date?
I think that I froze 2 lots and the first lot I defrosted was fine but the second lot had been in the freezer longer – several months – and didnt work properly in the sauce. This is all from a long time ago – cant remember the last time I made a curry tbh.
I have frozen curry sauce before and it worked out fine when defrosted. I have also frozen coconut milk on its own which was fine – but I dont think you can leave it for too long. Hope it works for you, too
Hi TC – do you mean you cnt leave it in the freezer for long or you cant leave it out once its defrosted for long?
Tricks & Tips for Making Freezer Curries that Reheat Well and Saves Space
- Concentrate the sauce. When making a freezer curry I reduce the amount of sauce down to only whats necessary to cook the meat. Then I simply add more water when I reheat it! If youre working with a recipe that calls for stock or water in addition to coconut milk, be sure to omit it and and add it when you reheat. You will still reduce the coconut milk as shown in the video.
- Use overcook-resistant meats. Because you need to reheat the curry, the chances of you overcooking the meat is high. So dont freeze protein that is not something you want to eat if its overcooked. For example, I really dislike overcooked chicken breast, so I opt for thighs instead. Apart from chicken, any stewed and braised meats are perfect as they are essentially overcooked-proof.
- Consider adding vegetables when you reheat. If you are particular about veggie texture, please note that thawed vegetables will be completely soft, so if you like that “al dente” or firm vegetables, I recommend adding them at the end when you reheat. Most veggies only take a couple of minutes to cook anyway, and this way you save even more space!
- If freezing veggies, choose them wisely. Of course you CAN add in veggies if you want to make it a microwave-ready meal. Heres the rule of thumb: Choose vegetables with low water content. Water turns into ice crystals in the freezer, and those ice crystals are sharp and they puncture the cells of the vegetables causing them to be soft when thawed (which is why thawed berries “bleed” out their juices). Broccoli, cauliflower, potato, bell peppers, peas are some vegetables that will be intact when thawed. Bamboo shoots in particular will come out almost exactly the way it went in!
- If possible, add delicate herbs when reheating. Delicate herbs such as Thai basil will look and taste much better if you add them at the end. This is not to say that you cannot freeze the curry with Thai basil, but just so you are aware that the Thai basil will be dark and mushy when thawed.
How to Make Space-Saving Freezer Thai Curry – Hot Thai Kitchen
FAQ
Does coconut milk curdle when frozen?
Is it okay to put coconut milk in freezer?
How long does chicken curry with coconut milk last in the fridge?
Can you reheat curry with coconut milk?
Can you freeze chicken curry with coconut milk?
Yes, you can freeze chicken curry with coconut milk. However, it’s important to note that freezing can sometimes cause coconut milk to separate or change in texture. To minimize this, consider using full-fat coconut milk as it tends to freeze and thaw better than lower-fat options.
Is it unhealthy to cook curry using coconut milk?
It’s okay to cook curry with coconut milk, the problem is overconsumption as coconut milk contains a significant amount of saturated fat.
Can you freeze tomato curries with coconut milk?
Tomato and stock-based curries freeze well, but the results for freezing curries that contain coconut milk can vary. When coconut milk is frozen on its own, it can separate, and while it is still fine to eat when separated, it can be slightly grainy.
Can you freeze coconut milk?
Whisk coconut milk, peanut butter, lime juice, brown sugar, curry paste, garlic powder, ginger, and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour mixture into the bag. Tightly seal and mix the contents until well combined. Freeze for up to one month.