Mushroom bourguignon is a popular vegan alternative to a traditional beef bourguignon and it is just as hearty and filling. This is a dish for which even the non-vegetarians will be returning for seconds. But is this vegetarian version one that can be batch cooked like its meat version?
Can You Freeze Mushroom Bourguignon?
Yes, you can freeze mushroom bourguignon for up to 3 months. To freeze mushroom bourguignon, allow it to cool, then portion it into good-quality freezer bags before sealing and placing them into the freezer.
Do Does Mushroom Bourguignon freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Mushroom Bourguignon? Yes
How To Freeze Mushroom Bourguignon
When it comes to freezing leftovers, you canāt get much easier than freezing this dish.
- Allow to Cool: Once you have made the mushroom bourguignon you’ll need to give it time to cool before moving on to the next step.Ā
- Portion Out: Think about the portion size you want then pop these portion amounts into airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Double Bag: You might want to double bag if using bags to make sure you donāt get any spills in the freezer. Even if you are using containers it is worth popping a freezer bag around the container for extra security.
- Label and Freeze: Label the container or bag and pop the portions of mushroom bourguignon into the freezer. Make sure you keep the containers upright until it freezes there is a chance of spillage.
3 Tips for Freezing Mushroom Bourguignon
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing mushroom bourguignon to have the best results:
Label It Clearly
Make sure you write a clear label on the packaging, especially if your household has vegetarian and meat-eating residents. For example, you don’t want to accidentally defrost a meat version for a vegetarian.Ā
Freeze Into Portions
Don’t freeze the bourguignon in one large portion unless you know, for certain, that you’ll consume it in one sitting as you cannot refreeze mushroom bourguignon.
Add Protection
Even the best containers can leak eventually, so it’s always a good idea to double bag (if using bags) or add a bag (if using containers) to avoid any unwanted leakages in the freezer.Ā
How Long Can You Freeze Mushroom Bourguignon?
Leftovers and cooked meals can vary with the time they can be kept frozen, and it will depend on the types of ingredients your recipe uses.
However, a general rule of thumb is that you can freeze mushroom bourguignon for up to three months.
How Do You Defrost Mushroom Bourguignon?
When defrosting your mushroom bourguignon, you do want to thaw it out fully and avoid cooking it from frozen. Luckily there are a couple of methods you can use to defrost it.
The best method for defrosting this dish is by popping the container into the fridge and letting it thaw out fully and slowly. This helps retain the original flavours and texture.
However, if you wish to thaw it out quicker, you can pop it into a microwave-safe container and put it into the microwave on a defrost setting for as long as it takes to thaw the mushroom bourguignon out.
Can You Refreeze Mushroom Bourguignon?
We would strongly advise against refreezing mushroom bourguignon. It can lead to major textural changes with your mushrooms, making them somewhat mushy. Instead, freeze it in portions so you can easily defrost one portion at a time.Ā
Does Mushroom Bourguignon Freeze Well?
On the whole, this is a dish that freezes very well.
It is easy to freeze, and if you are freezing leftovers, you donāt need to do any prep work before freezing. You should notice no or very minimal changes to the recipe after thawing.
This is dependent on the recipe though, and if yours uses creamy bases, then you might find there is a little texture change. It should still taste great, though!
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing mushroom bourguignon or mushrooms in general, then these may help:
Mushroom bourguignon can be kept in the fridge for around 6 days after making it. It must be stored in an airtight container once cooled to room temperature.
Yes, a mushroom casserole can be frozen. Once cooled, portion the casserole into airtight containers, seal and then pop them into the freezer for around 3 months.
