Can you freeze arugula?
Can you freeze arugula? Yes, you can freeze arugula for about 3 months.
However, think about what you plan to use your arugula for before freezing it. If you want to freeze arugula and then eat it raw in a salad, you have to think twice. Unfortunately, freezing noticeably degrades the texture of the leaves.
On the other hand, if you plan to make a pesto or incorporate your arugula into other dishes where its texture does not matter, you will still benefit from its delicious peppery flavor.
How to freeze arugula?
The best approach to freezing arugula is to use the ice cube method. Here’s how:
- Start by cleaning your arugula, then drain it and let it dry.
- Next, get an ice cube tray. Ideally, use an ice cube tray with large compartments. Put your arugula in each compartment. It is not essential to cut the leaves; just tamp them down.
- Pour a drizzle of olive oil into each compartment to completely cover the rocket leaves. Do not fill to the brim as the olive oil will expand slightly from the cold. You can also use water.
- Once the arugula ice cubes are frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag.
- Seal the freezer bag tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag with the date and contents, then return the arugula ice cubes to the freezer.
What is the shelf life of arugula in the freezer?
As you can imagine, arugula is very fragile. Its tender leaves degrade quickly in the freezer, which is why we advise you to limit the shelf life in the freezer to a maximum of 3 months.
After this time, the arugula will still be safe to eat, but you will find that once thawed, it will be very soft.
How to thaw arugula?
It all depends on what you plan to use it for. If you want to use arugula to add a peppery touch to a sauce or mash, you can stir an ice cube of arugula directly into the pan to melt it.
If you want to use it in a raw dish or in a pesto, you will need to thaw it first. The easiest way is to put it in the fridge, in a bowl, overnight.
