Can You Freeze Skirlie?

How To Freeze Skirlie

When it comes to freezing your batch of skirlie you will be glad to know it’s a super simple process and there is very little prep work involved. Just follow these guidelines and you should soon have frozen batches of skirlie ready to eat whenever you need:

1. Cook It
   Cook up a big batch of your favourite recipe. Choose traditional seasonings or mix it up with some of your favourite flavours. Allow the skirlie to cool completely before getting it ready to freeze.
2. Prepare Bags
   Prepare some freezer bags or containers by labelling them with the date and contents. You will need one container per portion of skirlie.
3. Portion Out
   Divide up the skirlie into portions. This can either be single servings or family-sized portions. It all depends on how you plan to use the skirlie once it has been defrosted.
4. Freeze
   Ladle the skirlie into the bags or containers. Seal the bags and then pop them into the freezer.

2 Tips for Freezing Skirlie

Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 2 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing skirlie to have the best results:

• Freeze Into Portions – Freeze skirlie into suitably sized portions so you can easily defrost one portion at a time. You’ll struggle to grab a portion from a large bag, otherwise. 
• Defrost in the Microwave – If you’re pushed for time then you can defrost skirlie in the microwave. Use the defrost setting on short bursts until it is warmed through. 

How Long Can You Freeze Skirlie?

There isn’t a lot of information available on skirlie and how to store it. This is probably due to it being one of those recipes that are handed down through generations rather than written down!

However, you should be able to store your skirlie in the freezer for up to six months. Plenty of time to plan ahead and always have some available for quick and easy meals whenever you need.

You Can Freeze Skirlie for Around 6 Months

How Do You Defrost Skirlie?

You can defrost the skirlie fairly easily by taking it out of the freezer and popping it into the fridge the night before you plan to use it. Then by the next day, it will be defrosted and ready to use.

If you can’t plan ahead then you can speed up the process a little by popping it into a microwave-safe bowl and putting it into the microwave on a defrost setting. Give it a little stir every minute or two and microwave until it has fully thawed out.

If you are using this method then you should use the skirlie right away as the microwave will heat it up slightly as it defrosts.

Can You Refreeze Skirlie?

No, we wouldn’t recommend that you refreeze skirlie.

Even though the ingredients of this dish are fairly safe to use there is still a danger of it starting to grow bacteria during the process. Then refreezing and reheating could encourage this bacteria growth even further. It just isn‘t worth the risk.

Does Skirlie Freeze Well?

Skirlie is a dish that does freeze fairly well. There may be some deterioration in texture but giving it a stir should sort out much of this and by the time it has been reheated, you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between fresh and frozen skirlie.

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing skirlie or skirlie in general, then these may help:

Can You Freeze Black Pudding?

Sticking with the Scottish theme, we thought it would be a good idea to cover black pudding because it’s another Scotland staple that can be frozen successfully. If you want to learn all about freezing black pudding then check this out.

Can You Freeze Haggis?

You certainly can freeze haggis. You can freeze a whole haggis or you can freeze any leftovers you may have. Simply bag it up, seal them tight and then store in the freezer. If you want more detailed info when it comes to freezing haggis then we have a dedicated guide here.