How to Freeze Brussels Sprouts: 15 Steps
1. Purchase fresh Brussels sprouts: Look for firm, green sprouts with tightly closed leaves and no yellowing. Freshness is key when freezing vegetables.
2. Clean the Brussels sprouts: Rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently rub each sprout while rinsing to remove any stubborn dirt.
3. Remove damaged outer leaves: Discard discolored or damaged leaves from each sprout, keeping the healthy ones intact.
4. Trim the ends: Cut off the stem end of each sprout, being careful not to remove too much so that they don’t fall apart when cooked.
5. Cut larger Brussels sprouts in half: To ensure even cooking and freezing, halve any larger sprouts so all are roughly the same size.
6. Blanch the Brussels sprouts: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Then, add your prepared Brussels sprouts and let them cook for 3-5 minutes. This step helps preserve their color, texture, and taste during storage.
7. Prepare an ice bath: While your Brussels sprouts are blanching, fill a large bowl with ice and cold water.
8. Shock the Brussels sprouts in an ice bath: Immediately after blanching, use a slotted spoon to transfer the hot Brussels sprouts into the ice bath to stop the cooking process and cool them quickly.
9. Drain the Brussels sprouts: Once cooled, remove the Brussels sprouts from the ice bath and allow them to drain on paper towels or in a colander for a few minutes.
10. Pat dry: Gently pat each Brussels sprout dry with clean paper towels to absorb any excess moisture before freezing.
11. Lay out on a baking tray: Place your Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, making sure they don’t touch each other.
12. Freeze the Brussels sprouts: Put the tray in the freezer for 2-3 hours or until the sprouts are frozen solid.
13. Transfer to a freezer-safe container: Once frozen, remove the tray from the freezer and store your Brussels sprouts in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.
14. Label the container: Don’t forget to label your containers with the date and contents to keep track of what’s in your freezer and ensure proper rotation.
15. Store and enjoy: Frozen Brussels sprouts can last up between 10-12 months in the freezer, so you can enjoy them all year round! To cook, steam, roast, or sauté straight from the freezer – there’s no need to defrost!
And there you have it! By following these simple steps, you can preserve your Brussels sprouts’ freshness and enjoy them whenever you like.