Can You Freeze Chutney?

Chutneys are often kept in jars and, once opened, stored in the fridge but it can be a condiment that gets somewhat neglected and takes up unnecessary space. As they are already a preserve, many people do not think about whether you can freeze them…

How to Freeze Chutney

Given that chutneys are already a preserve and contain a lot of sugar, you may wonder why you would want to freeze them.

Well, once opened, the shelf life of a jar of chutney is considerably decreased even when kept in the fridge. If you do not believe you will use the leftover chutney in the recommended time, then freezing the chutney may be your best option: 

1. Decant Chutney
   Spoon your chutney into smaller containers, such as small glass jars, ziplock bags or silicone ice cube trays. Ensure they are sealed tightly with as much air removed as possible.
2. Label and date
   Write the date of freezing on a label and place it on the container or bag. This way you will know when it is good to eat until. Also worth labeling with what flavour chutney is within each jar!
3. Freeze
   Store in the freezer in a safe place where the jars are not likely to fall or be squashed by anything heavy. 

3 Tips for Freezing Chutney

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

Freeze All Types of Chutney
You can freeze nearly every type of chutney. Some of the most common ones include mango chutney, apple chutney and caramelised onion chutneys. Make sure they are labelled correctly so you know which chutney is in which jar. 

Leave Very Little Air
When decanting your chutney into smaller jars or into a ziplock bag, make sure you either fill the jars as much as you possibly can, or squeeze the air out of the ziplock bags before you freeze. This will limit the possibility of freezer burn. 

Beware of Homemade Chutney
If you are freezing homemade chutneys, be aware that they may not last as long as store-bought. Chutneys from the supermarkets will contain more preservatives, which means they will last longer than homemade. 

How Long Can You Freeze Chutney?

You can freeze chutney for up to 12 months, though it is best to use it within 3-5 months.

It is a great option if you do not use chutneys that often, and using receptacles such as silicone ice cube trays or small jars make perfect individual-sized portions. 

You Can Freeze Chutney for up to 12 Months

How Do You Defrost Chutney?

To defrost and thaw any chutney, simply take out the portion of chutney from the freezer and place it into the fridge to thaw.

If you have frozen the chutney in ice cubes, you may want to put these in a bowl or on a saucer to avoid a messy fridge shelf. It should take only a few hours to thaw, especially if they are small portions, but ideally, you should leave the chutney to thaw overnight. 

When you thaw the chutney, you may see some excess water. This can easily be fixed by grabbing a teaspoon and giving the thawed chutney a quick mix.

This will combine the ingredients together again and you can use the chutney as if it were fresh out of the jar. 

Can You Refreeze Chutney?

No, you should not refreeze chutney. Once the chutney has been thawed, it should either be used or stored in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Given that you a probably going to be freezing in small portions, you should not need to refreeze the chutney.

Does Chutney Freeze Well?

Yes, chutney does freeze well and it will extend the shelf life quite considerably.

Chutney can be one of those ingredients that you use a handful of times and then leave the opened jar in the fridge, where it takes up space and does not get touched for months.

Freezing will ensure the chutney stays fresh and you also free up space in your fridge. 

Related FAQs

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