Pistachios are, in fact, the seeds (not nuts) of fruit from trees originating in Iran. Their consumption dates back thousands of years, and all sorts of uses for them have been created. But, can you put them in the freezer?
Can You Freeze Pistachios?
Yes, you can freeze pistachios for up to 1 year. Shelled or unshelled, freezing your pistachios is a great way to extend their shelf-life and keep their qualities intact for a later date. You should keep them airtight when frozen.
Do Do Pistachios freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Pistachios? Yes
How to Freeze Pistachios
Depending on the quantity you have, pistachios should not take up too much freezer space. But because they are small, some caution should be considered when placing them in the freezer. Here is a good way to store them frozen:
- Cool Down: Roasted pistachios make a delightful snack or garnish to a salad. But once they have been roasted, you will need them to cool down to room temperature before freezing them. This should only take a short amount of time.
- Wrap Up: Using cling film or aluminium foil, wrap the pistachios as tightly as possible so that your pistachios can remain fresh.
- Squeeze Out Freezer Bag Air: Next; you can put your film-wrapped pistachios into a freezer bag. Compress the bag to remove any excess air out without crushing or damaging the pistachios. You can also use an airtight container here.
- Date and Label: To save yourself the annoyance of storing the pistachios in the freezer for too long, write the date that you intend to freeze them on a sticker and attach that to the outside of the freezer bag. You can now put your freezer bag in the freezer.
3 Tips for Freezing Pistachios
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing pistachios to have the best results:
Use a Clear Container
This is a good idea when you want to inspect the condition of your pistachios without taking them out of their container. Making sure the pistachios are not cracked and double-checking that there is no excess air in the freezer bag gives you the best chance of consuming pistachios of good quality.Ā
Smell Them
Pistachios can often present a rancid smell when they go bad. Sniffing your pistachios to check their quality is a good indicator of their edibility.Ā This is often the case with most nuts including pecans and brazil nuts.
Use Rigid, Airtight Containers
Although you can use freezer bags to store pistachios in the freezer, rigid containers with tight-fitting lids are far better. This prevents other items from crushing your pistachios and means there is less chance of contamination.Ā
How Long Can You Freeze Pistachios?
Generally, pistachios can be frozen for up to one year. Pistachios, like many other nuts, usually freeze better in their shell. This is because the shell acts as a natural barrier to any bacteria that may try to contaminate your pistachios.
However, freezing them out of their shell is also fine, but you may want to consider reducing the freezing time if they have been processed. Assuming that they were in good condition when you placed them in the freezer and that you have removed as much excess air as possible.
Check on them every now and then to make sure, but you can expect your pistachios to remain tasty and nutritious when you take them out of the freezer.
How Do You Defrost Pistachios?
The best way to defrost your pistachios is to take them out of the freezer and put them directly in the refrigerator. You should let them thaw overnight before consuming them.
It is ill-advised to leave pistachios out at room temperature for too long, so thawing them in the refrigerator prevents the pistachios from picking up harmful bacteria.
Can You Refreeze Pistachios?
Pistachios can be refrozen, but keep in mind that their quality will be significantly reduced because of the second freezing and defrosting processes. Their taste and texture will not be quite as good after freezing them for a second time.
It is a sensible idea to separate your pistachios into smaller, individual portions for freezing. This way, you will only have to thaw out the number of pistachios that you require, not all of them.
It also saves the pistachios from clumping together when frozen. Clumped together pistachios are more likely to encounter freezer burn.
Do Pistachios Freeze Well?
Yes, pistachios do freeze well. As already mentioned, pistachios freeze optimally in their shells. However, it is still usually fine to freeze your pistachios if they are no longer in their shells.
Vacuum sealing is the best way to contain your pistachios within the suggested period of time but is also an expensive way to freeze foods.
Related FAQs
If youāve still got questions about freezing pistachios or pistachios in general, then these may help:
Once opened, pistachios will only last for a few weeks at room temperature before they begin to go stale and lose their texture. This is why freezing them is such a good idea.
Yes, it’s possible to freeze pistachios in their shells. This will actually keep them protected, however, it will also mean you need to use more freezer space to freeze them.
