As more people turn to plant-based diets, the popularity of dairy alternatives is increasing. As such, lots of people are using coconut cream instead of dairy cream in their cooking. But what’s the best way to store this dairy alternative?
Can You Freeze Coconut Cream?
Yes, you can freeze coconut cream for up to 3 months. You can either place an unopened packet of coconut cream directly in the freezer. Or, you can transfer coconut cream to a freezer-safe container before freezing it.
Do Does Coconut Cream freeze well? Sometimes
Can you refreeze Coconut Cream? Yes
How to Freeze Coconut Cream
Recipes often call for small amounts of coconut cream, so knowing that you can freeze it and use it at a later date is good to know.
It also doesnāt have the longest shelf life in the world, meaning you would have to use it up pretty quickly if you couldnāt freeze it.
And thanks to the high natural fat content of coconut cream, it freezes really well and without much issue. If youāve purchased several packs or cartons of coconut cream, you can go ahead and put one of them directly in the freezer without opening it, and your job is done.
But if youāve already opened a carton of cream, you can freeze it in one of the two ways:
How to Freeze Coconut Cream in a Container
If youāve opened a carton of coconut cream, simply pour whatās remaining into a freezer-safe container, pop on the lid, label it, and place it in the freezer. Itās really that simple.
Just be mindful that if you do this, you will need to thaw it all at once, which isnāt ideal if youāre planning to use smaller serving sizes.
How to Freeze Coconut Cream in an Ice Cube Tray
If you often use your coconut cream in small amounts, then the best way to store it in the freezer is in an ice cube tray. Hereās what you need to do:
- Pour
Begin by pouring your coconut cream evenly into the ice cube tray, being careful not to overfill each section.Ā You can then optionally wrap the tray to prevent any unwanted spillages in the freezer. - Flash Freeze
When the tray is full, place it in the freezer for 2-3 hours and then remove it once the cream has frozen solid.Ā - Bag Up
Remove the blocks of coconut cream from the ice cube tray and place them in a suitably sized freezer-safe bag.Ā - Label and Freeze
Seal the bag and write the use-by date on the front before placing it in the freezer. Remember, you can freeze it for around 3 months.
3 Tips for Freezing Coconut Cream
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing coconut cream to have the best results:
It Works for Various Non-Dairy Creams
Although weāve focused on coconut in this article, you can follow the steps and tips introduced above to freeze various types of non-dairy alternatives, including nut-based and soya products.Ā
Stir Before Using
Once you have defrosted your coconut cream (if desired), you will probably need to stir it well before using it. You might find it has split, or its consistency isnāt as you would expect, but you can rectify it by stirring it for a few seconds and adding some moisture if required.
Use From Frozen
If youāre planning to use cubes of coconut cream in various recipes, you can pick them straight from the bag and add them to your dish without thawing them. The cream will melt as you prepare your sauce or start cooking the dish, so you donāt need to worry about thawing it beforehand if you donāt want to.
How Long Can You Freeze Coconut Cream?
You can freeze coconut cream for around three months. Some people will be happy to freeze it for longer than this, but we advise you to use your coconut cream within this timeframe for the best results.
Coconut cream doesnāt last particularly long in the fridge, so itās a good idea to wrap and freeze it soon after opening it so that it doesnāt spoil.
You Can Freeze Coconut Cream for up to 3 Months
How Do You Defrost Coconut Cream?
The best way to defrost coconut cream is to remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge. It will take several hours to defrost, so itās best to take coconut cream out the night before you plan to use it.
As mentioned, you donāt have to thaw coconut cream before you use it, so itās entirely up to you whether you do so or not.
Can You Refreeze Coconut Cream?
Technically, thereās nothing wrong with freezing coconut cream that is still in date and has been stored correctly.
However, the freezing process can cause the coconut cream to change consistency (due to the ice crystals), so we would only recommend freezing it once.
Does Coconut Cream Freeze Well?
On the whole, coconut cream freezes well. You might notice a slight change to its consistency and texture, but you can usually rectify this by stirring it well and adding moisture if necessary.
If you’re using it in a cooked dish then the heat will also help to melt the fats that have separated reducing the grainy texture that may occur from freezing.
Ultimately, freezing coconut cream is an excellent way to extend its shelf life when it will only last for a matter of days in the fridge, once opened.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing coconut cream or coconut in general, then these may help:
Yes, you can freeze curry that has been made with coconut cream. You should expect some texture changes when you thaw it and it will look split. However, as you heat it up and give it a stir, the fats will melt back into the sauce.
Creamed coconut can be frozen. As it comes in a block, slice it up into portions before wrapping it in a sheet of clingfilm. Place the wrapped blocks into a freezer bag and then into the freezer.
Yes, you can freeze soup that has coconut cream in it. It will split and it will appear grainy after thawing. However, when you reheat it, stir it slowly until things begin to incorporate.
Yes, you can freeze coconut cream frosting. This is the go-to vegan alternative to cream cheese frosting. Store in the freezer, in an airtight container, for up to 3 months. Once thawed, give it a quick whisk.
