Freezing food can be confusing. With a seemingly endless list of rules that differs from ingredient to ingredient (read up on how to freeze breads, cookies and fruit), the process can be quite intimidating for amateur and veteran cooks alike.
Thankfully, when it comes to freezing vegetables—our favorite things to freeze based on their naturally short lifespan—the rules generally hold true among the different varieties. If you’re planning to pack your produce away for a longer time and expect it to be in peak condition upon thawing, you must blanch it.
Why It’s Important to Blanch
Blanching helps preserve produce by reducing active enzymes. These are the microscopic molecules that destroy those fresh flavors we love so much. Blanching also helps heighten the color and flavor of vegetables that will be frozen for more than four weeks.
How to Blanch Vegetables
Fortunately, the process of blanching is quite easy. It’s little more than boiling an ingredient for a designated amount of time (see our chart below). The trick is to begin timing as soon as you place vegetables in boiling water. Set a timer for accuracy because under-blanching can stimulate enzymes, making it worse than not blanching at all—and over-blanching can cause veggies to lose flavor and color.
*If you’re looking to blanch a vegetable that’s not on this list, it likely needs to be fully cooked before freezing, such as lettuce, cucumbers, white cabbage and watercress.
Instructions:
- Fill a large saucepan or Dutch oven with enough water to cover vegetables and allow to boil.
- Add produce, cover and boil for the veggie’s respective blanching time listed in the chart above.
- Once finished, drain and immediately place your veggies in ice water for the same length of time to stop the cooking process.
- Drain and pat vegetables dry with a paper towel.
- Place vegetables in a single layer on a waxed paper- or foil-lined baking sheet and freeze. Be sure not to overcrowd the vegetables.
- Transfer frozen veggies to a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label and date the bag and freeze for up to three months.
Ready for more? Here are 19 foods you never knew you could freeze
Cooking Frozen Vegetables
When you’re ready to use your veggies, simply allow for them to thaw and carry on cooking them as if they were fresh. The only difference? You’ll need to cook them for a slightly shorter amount of time.
Here's What to Cook with Your Frozen Veggies
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Chili Cottage Pie
This filling cottage pie is super simple and loaded with flavor. The kids love to help layer it up. —Jacob Miller, Ledyard, Connecticut
Pesto Pasta & Potatoes
Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty simple to begin with, it's made even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one big pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, Idaho
Muffin-Tin Chicken Potpies
I made these personalized chicken pot pies in muffin tins for my kids, and they gobbled them up. For the record, the grown-ups did, too! —Melissa Haines, Valparaiso, Indiana
Crumb-Topped Broccoli Bake
Broccoli is one of the main crops grown in this area. This recipe has pleased just about everyone who has tried it, including some who said they didn't like broccoli. —Hope Huggins, Santa Cruz, California
Slow-Cooked Green Beans
I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina
Spinach Turnovers
The flaky cream cheese pastry adds sensational texture to these hot appetizers—and just wait until you taste the wonderful filling. I usually fix a double batch and freeze some to have on hand in case unexpected guests drop by. — Jean von Bereghy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Butternut & Portobello Lasagna
Lasagna gets fresh flavor and color when you make it with roasted butternut squash, portobello mushrooms, basil and spinach. We feast on this. —Edward and Danielle Walker, Traverse City, Michigan
Corn Spoon Bread
This slow-cooked spoon bread is more tender than corn pudding made in the oven, and the cream cheese is a nice addition. —Tamara Ellefson, Frederic, Wisconsin
Thai Red Curry Chicken & Vegetables
The key to this curry chicken is getting complex flavors without a heavy feel. For the veggies, I like colorful pea pods, sweet red peppers and water chestnuts. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
Broccoli Scalloped Potatoes
The combination of ham and cheese creates a wonderfully smoky flavor. I also love that I can cook an entire meal—vegetable and all—in one standout dish. —Denell Syslo, Fullerton, Nebraska
Bacon Pea Salad
My husband absolutely loves peas. My middle son isn't the biggest fan, but he loves bacon. So, I combined the two, and it was perfect! This pea salad is an awesome side dish, especially for barbecue. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Turkey Dumpling Soup
Simmering up a big pot of this soup is one of my favorite holiday traditions. This is a variation on a recipe my mom made while I was growing up. My husband and children can't get enough of the tender dumplings. —Debbie Wolf, Mission Viejo, California
Hot Collards and Artichoke Dip
Anyone can pull off spinach and artichoke dip—so brighten it up using collard greens for a southern twist. Serve this dish with warm garlic naan or tortilla chips. —Billie Williams-Henderson, Bowie, Maryland
Zesty Sugar Snap Peas
Lemon-pepper and garlic make these crisp-tender sugar snap peas flavorful and a nice accompaniment to a variety of entrees. You'll come to rely on this six-ingredient recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken Broccoli Shells
This cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream. Just assemble it ahead of time and put it in the oven when company arrives. I round out the meal with a tossed salad and warm bread. —Karen Jagger, Columbia City, Indiana
Beef Orange Stir-Fry
This dinner for two is loaded with lots of flavor and color. Red pepper flakes add a little kick to the orange beef sauce, and the tender veggies add a pop of color. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Southern-Style Egg Rolls
Sausage, black-eyed peas and turnip greens give these unique egg rolls a decidedly southern accent. When I bring them to a party, I always come home with an empty plate. —Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia
Parmesan Kale Casserole
I tried coming up with a creative way to use kale, and the result was a cheesy casserole. When my husband sampled it, he absolutely loved it. Bits of summer sausage add heartiness. —Diana Johnson, Auburn, Washington
Holiday Brussels Sprouts
Make Brussels sprouts special with peas, celery and, of course, bacon. The recipe doubles easily if needed. —Jodie Beckman, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Dill & Chive Peas
Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to prepare. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Pork Tenderloins with Wild Rice
Apricots say sweet things to earthy herbs in this gravy-licious meal. Remember this recipe—it’s worthy of a weekend celebration. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spinach Artichoke-Stuffed Mushrooms
I used this recipe when I was in a culinary-arts program and had to prepare an entire buffet by myself. It’s an impressive party appetizer yet goes together so easily. —Amy Gaisford, Salt Lake City, Utah
Chicken Stir-Fry Bake
One night, while trying to tend to both dinner and our son, Clarke, I opted to use frozen vegetables in my chicken stir-fry. Not wanting to stand watch over the stovetop, I baked the entree in the oven. The guests say this entree tastes like it's hot from the skillet.—Carly Carter, Nashville, Tennessee
Southwestern Sauteed Corn
My mother-in-law came up with this corn skillet dish one night for dinner. Everyone who tries it absolutely loves it! —Chandy Ward, Aumsville, Oregon
Slow-Cooked Broccoli
This family-favorite side dish is quick to fix and full of flavor. Since it simmers in a slow cooker, it frees up my oven for other things. That's a tremendous help when I'm prepping a big meal at home. —Connie Slocum, Antioch, Tennessee
Creamy Spinach & Rigatoni Bake
Macaroni and cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods, but go ahead and give an Italian twist here. —Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
Cajun Corn Soup
I found this recipe years ago and substituted Cajun stewed tomatoes for a bolder taste. Now I prepare this dish for out-of-state guests who want to taste some Cajun food. Everyone who tries it gives it high marks. Plus, it's easy to prepare. —Sue Fontenot, Kinder, Louisiana
Creamy Carrot Casserole
My mom and I developed this recipe to see if there was a carrot dish that even people who don't care for carrots would enjoy. So far, I haven't met anyone who hasn't liked this casserole. —Laurie Heward, Fillmore, Utah
Tuscan Artichoke & Spinach Strudel
Strudels originated in Austria and often boast sweet flavors. This one is savory with Tuscan influences of tomatoes, mushrooms and pesto. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Ham and Asparagus Casserole
With hard-cooked eggs and asparagus, this family-favorite casserole is perfect for all occasions. But it's especially nice for springtime brunches. —Donetta Brunner, Savanna, Illinois
Broccoli Veggie Pasta Primavera
Chock-full of veggies, this simple, colorful pasta makes a filling dinner. In smaller servings, it works equally well as a side dish. —Stephanie Marchese, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Asian Beef and Noodles
Asian beef recipes don't get much simpler. This colorful, economical stir-fry dish takes only five ingredients—all of which you're likely to have on hand. Serve with a dash of soy sauce and a side of pineapple slices. —Laura Stenberg, Wyoming, Minnesota
Broccoli Biscuit Squares
With a cheesy biscuitlike crust, these pretty squares disappear quickly at our house. We enjoy them for breakfast, brunch and dinner. —Vi Janus, Pelican Lake, Wisconsin
Ham & Veggie Casserole
I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around the dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Cazuela
I learned to make Cazuela while we were living in Chile for a few months. We grow extra butternut squash in our garden just for this favorite recipe. Besides gardening, my retired husband and I also enjoy birdwatching, volunteer work and visiting our five children and six grandchildren. —Louise Schmid, Marshall, Minnesota
Make-Ahead Spinach Manicotti
When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon
Turkey Curry with Rice
When I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Favorite Chicken Potpie
Chock-full of poultry, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe for easy chicken pot pie makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. This is the best chicken potpie recipe to have on hand when company comes over. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
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Annamarie Higley