You canāt mistake pickled beets because of their appearance, their tangy taste, and their distinct smell. The brine usually consists of sugar, vinegar, and salt, which then pickles the beetroots as they chill. However, you may want to know whether you can freeze your beets after the pickling process?
Can You Freeze Pickled Beets?
Yes, you can freeze pickled beets for up to 3 months. Beetroot typically freezes better in its cooked state than its raw state, so bear this in mind before proceeding should you have raw beets.
Do Do Pickled Beets freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Pickled Beets? No
How to Freeze Pickled Beets
Now that your beets are pickled, you might want to put them away for a later date. Well, thankfully, it is quick and very easy to freeze pickled beets, so here are a few steps to help towards doing that successfully:
- Transfer from Container to Freezer Bags: Ideally, if you have smaller, individual freezer bags, this would be great as any film that you wrap the pickled beets in individually might get some brine stuck to it. Scoop out the beets from their container before transferring them to freezer-safe bags.
- Squeeze Out Excess Air: Removing the air that the freezer bags contain is a good way to ensure your pickled beets will remain fresh. Do this gently so that no produce is damaged.
- Date and Label: Attach a sticker to the outside of the freezer bags with the date you are starting to freeze these items on them to make sure the pickled beets stay within the suggested freezing dates. Now you can place your freezer bag/s in the freezer.
3 Tips for Freezing Pickled Beets
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing pickled beets to have the best results:
Keep the Brine
Freezing your pickled beets in their brine can retain lots of their flavour in the freezer. Using Tupperware for the chilling and pickling process instead of a bag retains a lot of the liquid. Pour your brine over the pickled beets before chilling them in the refrigerator for some time, then freeze them as suggested.
Do Not Over-Pack the Freezer Bags
Removing air that the freezer bags contain is a good way to ensure your pickled beets will remain fresh. Do this gently so that no produce is damaged.
Use Gloves When Handling Beets
Pickled Beets can stain your fingertips if you handle them, which is why some people choose to carefully spoon them from the Tupperware into a freezer bag. Consider using disposable kitchen gloves so you can handle them without the stress of getting pink residue on your hands.Ā
How Long Can You Freeze Pickled Beets?
Usually, pickled beets can be stored in the freezer for around 2-3 months. Raw beetroot does not appear to freeze as well as cooked beets.
Extending the shelf-life of your pickled beets by freezing them is a great way to make the most of their qualities and avoid discarding them soon after purchasing.
Freezing them in their brine over an extended amount of time can absorb a lot of their flavour, but you do have the choice to pickle them after freezing.
How Do You Defrost Pickled Beets?
It is advised to let your pickled beets thaw in the refrigerator overnight so that they totally thaw out.
Consider using Tupperware or a bowl to defrost your pickled beets because of the possibility of liquid causing a mess.
Although, the beets might stain some of your Tupperware containers, so bear this in mind. If you have frozen cooked beetroots (unpickled), they are usually fine to pickle afterwards as long as they have been thoroughly thawed out.
Can You Refreeze Pickled Beets?
It is generally not recommended to refreeze your pickled beets. Freezing then thawing your pickled beets risks losing a lot of their flavour and texture, so doing both of these for a second time is not suggested.
This is why freezing your pickled beets in smaller portions makes sense. It means you will only have to defrost what you want instead of the entire amount!
Do Pickled Beets Freeze Well?
Under the right storage conditions, pickled beets freeze well. Just remember some of the tips suggested.
Frozen with its brine, you can expect a delicious serving that keeps a lot of its nutrients, flavour, and texture after the recommended freezing period. Regularly check on the condition of your frozen pickled beets and rotate these items within the freezer if necessary.
Related FAQs
If youāve still got questions about freezing pickled beets or beets in general, then these may help:
Pickled beets will only last for around 6 to 8 weeks in the fridge before they need to be thrown out. This is why freezing them is a great idea as it can double their shelf life.
Yes, you can freeze canned beets but you’ll need to remove them from their can before doing so. Canned beets tend to have a long shelf life so you should only freeze canned beets if you have a half-used tin.
