Can You Freeze Olives?
Have you ever wondered if you can freeze olives? While olives do keep well in the fridge for several weeks, there may come a point where freezing them is the better storage option for preventing spoilage.
Can You Freeze Olives?
Yes, olives can be frozen. While olives do typically last for quite a while in the fridge, freezing is olives is a great option for prolonging their shelf life even further.
All types of olives can be frozen, this includes freezing black olives, freezing green olives and freezing olives that have been stored in brine or dressed with olive oil.
Can You Freeze Fresh Olives?
While you can freeze fresh olives, you might want to brine them first as this will give them a better texture after the freezing process.
How To Brine Olives – is a great guide if this isn’t something you’ve tried doing before.
Can You Freeze Canned Olives?
Yes, you can freeze canned olives. Canned olives typically last for several years if they remain open. However, once opened the canned olives will only last for a few weeks in the fridge so this is where freezing them might come in handy.
Carefully rinse off any brine and gently pat dry with a paper towel before freezing.
Can You Freeze Olives In Brine?
Olives are best frozen as they are, without any brine.
Olives that have been stored in brine can still be frozen, you’ll just need to rinse off the brine first.
Can You Freeze Sliced Olives?
Yes, sliced olives can be frozen. Sliced olives can be frozen as they are as part of a different dish, for example, you can freeze a pizza that has sliced olives on it.
Can You Freeze Chopped Olives?
Chopped olives can be frozen. Preparing olives in this way before freezing is a handy kitchen tip as they can then be added to dishes, such as tapenade or chicken cacciatore.
Can You Freeze Tapenade?
Tapenade is a spread made from finely chopped or pureed olives. Tapenade can be frozen or you could freeze chopped olives to make into tapenade once they have been defrosted.
Can You Freeze Kalamata Olives?
Kalamata olives are distinctive as they are much larger than normal olives and have a reddish dark brown colour. However, just like black and green olives, Kalamata olives can be frozen.
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How To Freeze Olives
Freezing olives is easy following the simple steps below. Always check olives for signs of spoilage such as mould and discolouration before freezing.
- Before getting started, it’s best to pop the olives in a colander and rinse under the tap to wash off any brine or olive oil. Gently pat dry using a tea towel or some kitchen roll.
- Transfer the olives into a freezer-proof container – this could be a plastic tub with an airtight lid, a plastic food bag or even a glass jar.
- Before freezing, label and date the olives so you know exactly what they are and when they were frozen.
How Long Do Olives Last In The Freezer?
You can freeze olives for up six months. They will safe to eat after this time, but may not be as good texture-wise.
How To Defrost Olives
Olives can be defrosted in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for a few hours. Once defrosted, it’s best to store them in the fridge in an airtight container and consume them within two weeks.
Although olives do last for a quite a while in the fridge, knowing how to freeze them is a great way to prevent food waste.
