Bulgur wheat is a healthy grain that makes a great addition to soups, stews and salads. It’s a handy grain to have around but it does take a little time to prep and cook and often cooks at a slower time than the rest of your meal. But, is there a way to save time?
Can You Freeze Bulgur Wheat?
Yes, you can freeze bulgur wheat for up to 12 months. Just divide your cooked bulgur wheat into portions and then pop them into freezer bags in the freezer.
Do Does Bulgur Wheat freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Bulgur Wheat? No
How to Freeze Bulgur Wheat
The most difficult part about freezing your bulgur is the cooking part. This might not be a difficult process, but it does take a little time. So batch cook up a whole hunch of bulgur wheat so you can freeze it into portions to have handy whenever you need.
To freeze, take a look at this method.
- Cook and Cool
Cook your bulgur wheat and then drain it and allow it to drain completely. Allow it to cool before proceeding. If you try and freeze the bulgur wheat while it is warm, ice crystals can form, changing the texture of the bulgur wheat. - Portout into Bags
Spoon portions into freezer bags. You want to think about your portion sizes carefully because once you have thawed out a bag of bulgur wheat, you need to eat the whole amount and throw away any leftovers rather than refreeze it. - Remove Air
Squeeze out as much air from the bags as possible. If you have a straw handy, then seal the bag most of the way and pop the straw in. Suck out the excess air and then seal the bags. This helps to protect the bulgur wheat and keep it tasting great. - Label
Make sure the bags are well-sealed, and then add a label with the contents and date. - Freeze
Pop the bags of bulgur wheat into the freezer and freeze.
How to Freeze Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a delicious salad made from whole grains, tomatoes and some fresh herbs, usually parsley. It’s delicious and absolutely amazing for your health. But, can you freeze tabbouleh?
The answer to this question is a tricky one. You can technically freeze it, but this isn’t a dish that freezes well as a whole dish. You can freeze elements of the dish like the mix of whole grains and then add the rest of the salad when you thaw out the grains and are ready to use them.
To freeze the whole grains needed in the Tabbouleh, you should follow the same method outlined above.
3 Tips for Freezing Bulgur Wheat
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing bulgur wheat to have the best results:
Keep it Airtight
Keeping your bulgur wheat completely airtight in the freezer is crucial to keeping it tasting as fresh as possible. To do this, you can double bag and make sure you take out as much air as possible from the bags before freezing.
Consider Portion Sizes
Check the portion sizes you need carefully. Take a look at your favourite recipes and weigh out the perfect amounts for each bag. A top tip is to write the weight on the bag along with the date to be sure you are pulling out the perfect amount for the recipe you are using.
Create Mixed Grain Bags
If you like to add a good mix of healthy grains to your meals, why not make up your favourite mix of grains and freeze it as a mixed grain bag? Then you know you can add a variety of grains and pulses to your diet easily.
Just check that all of your grains can be frozen. Grains such as millet are a little more difficult to freeze than others.
How Long Can You Freeze Bulgur Wheat?
When cooked and frozen properly using the above method, you should be able to keep the cooked bulgur wheat in the freezer for up to twelve months. You have no excuse not to cook up a batch of your favourite grain and pop portions in the freezer!
If you are freezing as part of a larger meal, then check how long the rest of the ingredients can be frozen for. Always freeze for the least amount of time possible.
You Can Freeze Bulgur Wheat for up to 12 Months
How Do You Defrost Bulgur Wheat?
When it comes to thawing out your bulgur wheat, you have a few options, and which you use will depend on how you plan to use it.
For salads and many recipes, you will need to thaw out the bulgur wheat first. To do this, you can put the bag of frozen bulgur wheat into a bowl and pop it into the fridge and allow it to defrost overnight.
If you need to speed this process up, then you can use a microwave, but you should only use this method if you are planning on heating the bulgur wheat.
To defrost in a microwave, pop the bulgur wheat into a bowl and put it into the microwave on a defrost setting for a couple of minutes. Stir and then repeat until the bulgur wheat has thawed out fully.
If you like to add your bulgur wheat to soups and stews, then you may be able to get away with cooking it from frozen. As you are cooking the recipe, pop your grains into it and allow them to thaw out, and then heat up as the whole meal cooks.
Can You Refreeze Bulgur Wheat?
No, you shouldn’t refreeze bulgur wheat. All grains can hold bacteria, and if they are allowed to sit at room temperature for too long, then the bacteria can grow, which can make you ill if you aren’t careful.
To avoid this, either use up or throw away your unused bulgur wheat within a day or two from defrosting.
Does Bulgur Wheat Freeze Well?
As long as you ensure the bulgur wheat is kept airtight and frozen properly, you shouldn’t notice very much difference because bulgur wheat does freeze well.
It is best to use frozen bulgur wheat in your cooking because the only time you may notice any difference is if you are using the bulgur wheat in a salad. The texture may have changed a little, but any taste change should be minimal.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing bulgur wheat or bulgur wheat in general, then these may help:
Other grains such as freekeh can be frozen in the same way as bulgur wheat. You need to use the method at the top of this page to freeze different grain varieties.
Like bulgur wheat and other grains, couscous can also be frozen in much the same way. You need to cook it, cool it and then bag it up in good-quality, thick freezer bags. Try to freeze it in portions to make it easier to defrost.
