From the Irish-American staple of corned beef and cabbage to this hearty cabbage soup, cabbage is a mighty green vegetable that can add heft, crunch, and freshness to so many dishes. You can find it year-round in most grocery stores, but it peaks late fall through early spring, so there's no better time to try new cabbage recipes.
When you bring home a head of cabbage from the grocery store or farmers’ market to prep for dinner, you’ll come to find that even a small head can yield a lot of shredded cabbage. Like, a lot. Even if you’re making multiple soup recipes or coleslaw for a crowd, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with leftovers, which may make you wonder what the best way is to save it. The good news is that you can actually freeze cabbage for months, preserving its peak fresh flavor even when it’s no longer in season. Read on to find the best tips for freezing cabbage—plus what not to do.
Can You Freeze Cabbage?
If you want to save peak-season cabbage—or just the remaining three-quarters of a head left over from a basic weeknight dinner—you can freeze it. This is a great way to reduce food waste and preserve the flavor and texture of fresh cabbage. But don’t just toss raw cabbage in a zip-top bag and stick it in the freezer. The best way to freeze cabbage starts with blanching it in water for 1 to 2 minutes. Blanching gives cabbage a better shot at staying fresh-tasting and crisp once it’s frozen.
What’s more, cooked cabbage will last even longer than raw cabbage. Frozen cooked cabbage keeps for up to nine months, whereas frozen raw cabbage should be tossed after about two months.
How to Blanch Cabbage for Freezing
To blanch cabbage, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. While the water heats up, create an ice bath in a large bowl. Place the cabbage wedges in the boiling water for about two minutes, then immediately transfer them to the prepared ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help to preserve the cabbage's vibrant green hue.
Once the cabbage is cool to the touch, pat it dry with paper towels, then transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight bag and place it in the freezer in a single layer.
Is It Better to Freeze Cabbage Whole or Cut?
It’s best to freeze cabbage cut into wedges. The reason is twofold: For starters, it's easier to blanch cabbage evenly if it’s cut versus cooked whole. Plus, you can pull out individual frozen cabbage wedges to thaw as you need them versus defrosting an entire head of cabbage all at once.
What Are the Downsides to Freezing Cabbage?
Even though freezing is a great way to preserve in-season cabbage, it’s not a perfect process. The texture and flavor of frozen cabbage won’t taste quite the same as its fresh counterpart. Still, it's a great way to utilize the vegetable for months on end.
