Can You Freeze Bamboo Shoots?

With a sweet and crunchy texture, bamboo shoots are versatile and can be used in curry, soups and even desserts. You can buy them fresh or canned, but like most other vegetables, once they are harvested, they tend to not last very long.

How to Freeze Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo shoots are fairly easy to store in the freezer, but you do need to cook them beforehand. This will ensure they’re ready to use but also that they don’t lose any of their texture in the freezer.

Here’s our method for freezing bamboo:

1. Cook Bamboo Shoots
   To prepare fresh bamboo shoots, trim the fibrous outer layers and excess leaves, but reserve the tender leaves, as they are edible. Cook the shoots uncovered in boiling, salted water for about 20 minutes.
2. Slice
   If using in a dish, slice the bamboo shoots into your dish of choice. 
3. Wrap
   If you have kept your cooked bamboo shoots whole, wrap them in cling film and then a layer of foil to keep it airtight and prevent freezer burn. . 
4. Freeze
   Place into the freezer and freeze for up to 5 months. 

If you have already cooked your bamboo shoots into a dish, allow the dish to cool before scooping it into freezer-safe containers. Seal the containers tightly and label them with the date of freezing.

It’s worth making a note that this dish contains bamboo shoots as they may have a shorter freezer life than the other ingredients in your dish.

3 Tips for Freezing Bamboo Shoots

Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing bamboo shoots to have the best results:

Cook First
It is vital that you cook your bamboo shoots before freezing. Raw bamboo shoots contain a toxin that can be lethal to human beings, and cooking removes this toxin, allowing the bamboo shoots to be preserved.

Try Pickling Instead
If you want to preserve your bamboo shoots for further use, pickling is also a great method of preservation and due to the texture of the bamboo shoots, it is a great vegetable to pickle. 

Watch Out for Spoiling
Bamboo shoots should be kept fresh where possible, but if you do freeze, be sure to look out for signs of spoiling. You will notice a sour smell once the bamboo starts to spoil and then it must be discarded. 

How Long Can You Freeze Bamboo Shoots?

Bamboo shoots can last up to 5 months in the freezer, though the sooner it can be used, the better. Bamboo has a tendency to deteriorate in texture, so if you still want nice, crisp slices of bamboo in your dish, it is best to use it within a few weeks. 

You Can Freeze Bamboo Shoots for up to 5 Months

How Do You Defrost Bamboo Shoots?

When you want to use your frozen bamboo shoots in a dish, simply remove the frozen shoots from the freezer and allow them to thaw in the fridge.

It is best to do this overnight. You can then slice the thawed bamboo into your favourite dish and use it as if it were fresh.

Can You Refreeze Bamboo Shoots?

No, do not refreeze bamboo shoots. It is difficult enough to freeze them in the first place, but refreezing after it has been thawed will cause the texture of the shoot to deteriorate to a point where it is not enjoyable to cook with or to eat!

Do Bamboo Shoots Freeze Well?

Bamboo shoots, when prepared correctly, can be frozen well for up to 5 months. However, it is always best to use fresh bamboo where possible or to use the canned versions, which also have a great shelf life.

You can store peeled bamboo in the fridge for up to a month, so this is also an option if you think you are going to be able to get through it in a short amount of time. 

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing bamboo shoots or bamboo in general, then these may help: