A roux is a combination of flour and fat that is used to thicken your favourite sauces. Because it can be a little fiddly to put together, people often like to make a roux in batches to save some time in the kitchen. So, can you freeze roux? And how long will it keep in the freezer?
Roux can be frozen for up to 12 months. You can store a roux in an airtight container and place it directly in the freezer. Alternatively, you can pour it into an ice cube tray to freeze it in smaller portions.
Do Does Roux freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Roux? Yes
How to Freeze Roux
Because a roux is the foundation of so many of your favourite sauces and dishes, itās super helpful to have a supply on hand as and when you need it.
That way, you donāt have to spend the time in the kitchen preparing the basis of your sauce, as you can just take what you need straight out of the freezer.
There are two ways to freeze a roux ā either in an airtight container or in an ice cube tray. Below are the steps that you need to follow for each method:
How to Freeze a Roux in an Airtight Container
This is the easiest way to freeze a roux. As soon as it has cooled, pour the roux into a suitably sized airtight container and affix the lid. Make sure you choose a container that allows you to leave an inch or so in space from the top.
Then, write todayās date as well as the use-by date on the lid and place it in the freezer.Ā
How to Freeze a Roux in an Ice Cube Tray
Freezing a roux in an ice cube tray is an ingenious solution, as it enables you to access the perfect serving for various sauces. Hereās what you need to do:
- Cool
Allow the roux sufficient time to cool. Itās probably best to remove it from the pan, so it cools a little quicker. - Pour
Carefully pour the roux into your ice cube tray. Make sure you donāt overfill it. - Flash Freeze
Place the ice cube tray in the freezer for 2-3 hours. - Bag Up
Once the roux has frozen solid, remove the ice cube tray from the freezer. Help the cubes out of the tray and place them in a freezer-safe bag. - Label and Freeze
Write todayās date and the use-by date on the front of the bag, seal it, and place it in the freezer. Remember, you can freeze a roux for around one year.
3 Tips for Freezing Roux
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing roux to have the best results:
Refrigerate for 6 Months
A roux can be refrigerated for up to six months when it is stored in an airtight container. This is ideal if you only have a small amount leftover and you donāt want to freeze it.
Consider Which Roux you Need
As you probably know, there is more than one type of roux. There is white, blond, or dark, and the type you require will depend on the recipe youāre using it in. Just be careful not to overcook your roux, as thereās no way of repairing the roux if you burn it!
Use the Right Oil
One of the most important things to consider when youāre preparing a roux is which butter or oil you use. While butter is often recommended, it can cause your roux to burn. As such, itās better to use an oil with a high smoke point (like canola) to give your roux the best chance of cooking thoroughly without burning.
How Long Can You Freeze Roux?
You can freeze a roux for up to one year. The ingredients within the mixture freeze extremely well, making a roux the ideal sauce to make ahead and then freeze.
As mentioned above, you can also refrigerate a roux for around half a year, which is perfect if you donāt have a great deal of space in the freezer.
You Can Freeze Roux for up to 12 Months
How Do You Defrost Roux?
You can use your roux directly from the freezer, so you donāt necessarily need to thaw it. That being said, if you want to defrost it before using it, the best thing to do is to remove it from the freezer and allow it sufficient time to thaw in the fridge.
To speed things up a little, you can defrost a roux in the microwave, but you need to be careful not to overheat it, or it will burn.
Can You Refreeze Roux?
Yes, you can refreeze a roux. Frankly, you shouldnāt notice a great deal of difference between a roux that has been frozen once and one that has been frozen several times.
But if you only find yourself using small servings of roux each time, you should freeze it in an ice cube tray to make your life easier.
Does Roux Freeze Well?
A roux is a perfect sauce to prepare in batches as it freezes extremely well. This means you can build up a stock of roux in the freezer and remove it as and when you need it, without having to worry about its taste or texture deteriorating over time.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing roux or roux in general, then these may help:
