If you recently picked Brussels sprouts from your garden or bought a large amount from the supermarket on a special offer, you may be wondering how to eat them all before they go bad. Luckily for you, you can keep them in the freezer for up to a year, so you'll have as much time as you want to enjoy them. If you want the flavor and nutritional value of Brussels sprouts to stay the same for longer, blanch them before placing them in the freezer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Freeze the Brussels sprouts without blanching them
Step 1. Separate the individual sprouts from the stem
If they have already been detached, you can skip this step. If not, grab the individual sprouts and pull them until they come off the stem. Discard the stem when done.
Step 2. Soak the sprouts in hot water for 10 minutes
Soaking them in hot water is an easy way to clean them before placing them in the freezer. The water will wash away the dirt and any other debris from the leaves.
Step 3. Rinse the Brussels sprouts with clean water and then pat them dry
Use a kitchen towel and dry them gently. It is important that they are completely dry when you put them in the freezer, otherwise ice crystals may form.
Step 4. Put the sprouts in the bags to freeze the food
Depending on the number of sprouts, you may need to use several. When the bags are full, squeeze them to let the excess air out and seal them.
You can arrange a single serving of Brussels sprouts in each bag. That way, when the time comes to cook them, you won't need to weigh them
Step 5. Place the date on the bags with a permanent marker
By writing the date on the bags, you won't have to try hard to remember how long the Brussels sprouts have been in the freezer. You can also put in the expected expiration date, if you don't want to be forced to do the math every time.
Step 6. Store the Brussels sprouts in the freezer for up to 12 months
After a year, the sprouts may begin to lose taste and texture. If they are dry or discolored when you take them out of the bag, they may have suffered a cold burn. They will still be edible, but they may have an unpleasant taste.
If you want the flavor, color and nutritional value of Brussels sprouts to remain unchanged for a long time, it is advisable to blanch them before placing them in the freezer
Method 2 of 2: Blanch and Freeze the Brussels Sprouts
Step 1. Put the water to boil and divide the Brussels sprouts by size
Separate them into 3 groups: small, medium and large. Each group must be cooked in boiling water for a different time.
If all the sprouts are similar in size, make one group
Step 2. Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water
You will need to transfer the Brussels sprouts to ice water immediately after blanching them, to complete the process that will keep the flavor, color and properties intact. Fill the bowl 3/4 of its capacity and add a quantity of ice cubes equal to about a single mold.
Step 3. Cook the sprouts in boiling water for 3 minutes
When the water has reached a boil, gently place the smaller sprouts into the pot. Leave the pot uncovered and set a time of 3 minutes on the kitchen timer.
Step 4. Transfer the smaller sprouts from boiling to ice-cold water
Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove them from the boiling water. Place them directly in the bowl filled with water and ice, then let them cool for 3 minutes.
Step 5. Remove the Brussels sprouts from the frozen water and dry them with a clean kitchen towel
They should be completely dry when you put them in the freezer. When you have blanched and dried them, the Brussels sprouts will be ready to be frozen.
Step 6. Repeat the same operations with the other sprouts, but increasing the cooking time
Cook the medium ones for 4 minutes and the large ones for 5, then immediately transfer them to ice water and let them cool for the same time (4 minutes for the medium ones and 5 for the large ones). Finally remove them from the water and pat them with a kitchen towel until they are completely dry.
Step 7. Put the sprouts in the bags to freeze the food
At this point it is no longer necessary to keep them separated by size. Fill the bags and squeeze them to let the excess air out before sealing them.
Step 8. Place the date on the bags with a permanent marker
By writing the date on the bags, you won't have to try hard to remember how long the Brussels sprouts have been in the freezer. You can also put in the expected expiration date to quickly assess if they are still good.
Step 9. Store Brussels sprouts in the freezer for up to 12 months
The texture and taste should remain unchanged for up to one year. After 12 months, the sprouts may get cold burns and develop an unpleasant taste. If they are dry or discolored when you take them out of the freezer, they have probably been damaged by the cold.
