Can you freeze radishes?
Can you freeze radishes? Yes, you can freeze radishes for about 6 months.
Although freezing radishes is a viable option for long-term storage, they won’t necessarily taste or have the same texture as fresh radishes after thawing. Radishes tend to release a lot of water when defrosting and do not lend themselves to eating as raw vegetables.
However, if you plan to use your radishes in recipes where their consistency is not important, you can freeze them. Their flavor won’t be as intense, but by biting into a piece, you’ll still know you’re eating a radish.
How to freeze radishes?
The best approach is to blanch your radishes before freezing them. They will keep better and longer in the freezer. Here’s how:
- Before freezing your radishes, clean them thoroughly, drain them and cut off the tops and roots. You can peel them if you wish, but the skin plays a protective role and contains part of their flavor. You can also cut them into slices or chunks if you prefer to freeze them “ready to use”.
- Next, bring a large pot of water to a boil. You don’t need to season the water because you’re just blanching the radishes. Plunge the radishes into boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain them and immediately plunge them into cold water to prevent them from cooking any further. Then drain them again.
- Spread the radishes out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure the radishes touch each other as little as possible. The idea is to pre-freeze each radish individually so they don’t stick together later. This will make it easier to defrost small quantities. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours.
- Once the radishes are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer then transfer the radishes to a resealable freezer bag. You can use multiple freezer bags if you want to freeze individual portions.
- Seal the freezer bag tightly, pushing out as much air as possible.
- Label the freezer bag with the date and contents, then return the radishes to the freezer.
How long do radishes last in the freezer?
Radishes, blanched beforehand, will keep for about 6 months in the freezer. After this time, they will still be suitable for consumption but their texture and flavor may deteriorate significantly.
How to thaw radishes?
To thaw your radishes gently, put them overnight in the refrigerator in a bowl.
If you’re in a hurry, soak them in cold water (leaving them in their freezer bag) for about 30 minutes.
