Can You Freeze Cooked Cabbage?

Cooked cabbage is one of those vegetables that’s easy to make too much of, especially if you’re cooking a roast dinner or a big family meal.

The good news is that you don’t have to throw any leftovers away. Cooked cabbage freezes really well and can be reheated later for another meal.

Whether you’ve steamed, boiled, stir-fried or braised it, here’s everything you need to know about freezing cooked cabbage.

Can You Freeze Cooked Cabbage?

Yes, you can freeze cooked cabbage.

In fact, cooked or blanched cabbage freezes much better than raw cabbage because freezing softens the leaves without making them as watery.

Cooked cabbage can be frozen on its own or as part of another dish, including casseroles, soups, stews and bubble and squeak.

Does Cooked Cabbage Freeze Well?

Yes. Cooked cabbage freezes surprisingly well.

The texture does soften slightly after freezing, particularly if it was cooked until very tender before freezing. If you’re cooking cabbage specifically to freeze, it’s worth leaving it slightly underdone so it keeps a little more bite after reheating.

Braised cabbage also freezes well, making it an ideal make-ahead side dish.

Can You Freeze Braised Red Cabbage?

Absolutely.

Braised red cabbage is one of my favourite Christmas side dishes to freeze. I often make a big batch in the slow cooker and freeze it in meal-sized portions ready for the festive season.

Because it already contains plenty of moisture, it reheats beautifully with very little change in texture.

Can You Freeze Cabbage Rolls?

Yes, cabbage rolls freeze very well.

Freeze them once they’ve completely cooled. If they’re covered in lots of sauce, freeze the sauce separately if possible, as this helps stop the cabbage becoming overly soft when reheated.

How To Freeze Cooked Cabbage

Freezing cooked cabbage couldn’t be much easier.

  1. Allow the cabbage to cool completely after cooking.
  2. Drain away as much excess liquid as possible and gently pat dry with kitchen paper if needed (this isn’t necessary for braised cabbage).
  3. Divide into portion sizes you’ll actually use.
  4. Place into freezer bags or airtight freezer containers, removing as much air as possible.
  5. Label and date before placing in the freezer.

Top Tip

If you’re freezing cooked cabbage to use as a side dish, freeze it in single meal portions. It’s much quicker to defrost and means you only need to take out exactly what you need.

How Long Does Cooked Cabbage Last In The Freezer?

Cooked cabbage is best used within 6 months.

It will still be safe to eat after this, but you may notice the texture becomes softer and the flavour starts to deteriorate.

How To Defrost Cooked Cabbage

For the best results, thaw cooked cabbage overnight in the fridge.

If you’re adding it to soups, stews or casseroles, you can often cook it straight from frozen without defrosting first.

You can also use your microwave’s defrost setting if you’re short on time.

How To Reheat Cooked Cabbage

Cooked cabbage reheats well using several methods:

  • Microwave until piping hot, stirring halfway through.
  • Reheat gently in a frying pan with a little butter.
  • Add straight to boiling water for a couple of minutes.
  • Stir into soups, casseroles or stir-fries during cooking.

Because the cabbage has already been cooked once, it usually only needs a few minutes to heat through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Raw Cabbage?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Raw cabbage contains a lot of water, so once thawed it often becomes limp and watery. Blanching or cooking it first gives much better results.

Can You Freeze Cooked Red Cabbage?

Yes. Cooked red cabbage freezes extremely well, particularly braised red cabbage.

Can You Freeze Boiled Cabbage?

Yes. Simply drain it well, cool completely and freeze following the steps above.

Can You Freeze Steamed Cabbage?

Yes. Steamed cabbage freezes just as well as boiled cabbage.

More Vegetable Freezing Guides:

Browse my Freezing Food Hub for all of my freezing guides in one place.

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