Coleslaw, with its shredded cabbages and dressing, is one of the most popular salads. It adds a refreshing touch to your meal – whether you’re eating it with BBQ meat, fried chicken, or hot jacked potatoes. But, sometimes, the tasty accompaniment is left, and you’re wondering how to store it. So can you freeze coleslaw? Keep reading to find out.
Can I Freeze My Coleslaw?
To answer shortly: yes, you can freeze your coleslaw for up to 6 months. Keep in mind, though, that mayonnaise dressings do not freeze well. Hence, freeze the coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing.
How Can You Freeze Coleslaw?
It depends on your coleslaw if it will freeze or not. Hence, the process of freezing is not as simple as you might expect.
The coleslaw that is coated in mayonnaise will not freeze well, as it tends to split. Therefore, if you want to freeze coleslaw, you can store the one with oil and vinegar-based dressing. You can freeze this coleslaw using by following these steps:
- Take a clean freezer bag.
- Put the coleslaw mix inside the freezer bag.
- Starting from the bottom, build your way up to squeeze out all the excess air you can.
- Seal the bag.
- Label the freezer bag with two dates: when you froze the salad and when to consume it.
- Place the bag in your freezer.
Tips for Freezing Coleslaw
Keep these tips in mind when you freeze your coleslaw; they can help:
- Freeze the vegetables used in coleslaw without the dressing. Just add the dressing later, when needed.
- Mayonnaise will not freeze well – avoid using it. The dressing splits, and your salad becomes inedible, taking all the appeal out.
- Besides raw carrots and cabbage, you can add other vegetables that freeze well. These include turnips, radishes, etc.
How to Defrost Coleslaw?
You have a variety of ways to defrost coleslaw. You can choose the method based on how much time you have and the equipment you have on hand.
If you’re in a hurry to cook a quick meal, then running cold water over it might be the way to go. Just place the frozen coleslaw in a colander or strainer and run cold water over it for a few minutes.
Do you have more time before you need to use the coleslaw? You can put it in the refrigerator overnight, allowing it to thaw slowly. Or you can put the frozen coleslaw in a bowl of cold water. Keep changing the water every 30 minutes until it thaws.
No matter which method you opt for, don’t forget to drain the excess water before using your coleslaw. After defrosting the coleslaw, use it within a day or two. Plus, you can even add vinegar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste and enjoy your delicious salad even more.
What Should I Do?
In short, you can freeze coleslaw. But not the one that uses mayonnaise, as the dressing splits, and the texture just isn’t the same anymore. Do you need to throw a party with the best meal and best salads? King Jerry Lawler’s Memphis BBQ Company is what you need. Contact us at (281) 864-5298 (Wallisville Road) or (832)-446-6557 (Jester Blvd. Suite) to make the most of our services.
