Can You Freeze Cucumbers?
Yes, you can freeze cucumbers, but whether or not you want to is an entirely different question.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
If you’ve got an abundance of cucumbers on your hands and you have run out of cucumber recipes to try, you might wonder if it’s possible to freeze them for later use.
Yes, you can freeze cucumbers, but it's important to realize that the cucumber you put into the freezer won’t be the same cucumbers you pull out.
"Cucumbers have a great deal of water in them naturally, and once frozen—and then thawed—they become very soft, and some would say mushy. That texture can be off-putting, but still can have uses as a fresh flavor where the texture is not as important," Chef Jerry Lanuzza tells Southern Living.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes, "Being able to freeze food and being pleased with the quality after thawing are two different things. Some foods simply don't freeze well."
Meet Our Expert
Jerry Lanuzza, MS Ed., CHE, is an associate professor at the College of Food Innovation and Technology, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus.
Can You Freeze Cucumbers?
If freezing cucumbers changes the texture, is it worth freezing them? Lanuzza says yes.
"Some people love cucumbers and want them in any form, from fresh to pickles to stir-fried to smoothies, to a water flavor addition or even used in cocktails," he says.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
How To Freeze Cucumbers
It's simple to freeze cucumbers, and they can be frozen with or without their skin, depending on your preference. When your cucumbers are clean and ready to be prepped for the freezer, Lanuzza recommends cubing or slicing.
"For cubed—(about) 1/2 inch—or sliced cucumbers—up to 1/2 inch—freeze them on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan in a single layer for about an hour or so," Lanuzza explains. "Then put them into a freezer bag or container removing as much air as possible."
Related: How To Store Cucumbers So They Stay Crisp As Long As Possible
How To Use Frozen Cucumbers
Because cucumbers lose their signature crunch when frozen, it’s important to have a game plan in place for how you’ll use frozen cucumbers.
Lanuzza says that frozen cucumbers make an excellent addition to smoothies, dips, spreads, and sandwich sauces.
"Really any dish in which you want the flavor of a cucumber without any of the crunch you would get from a fresh cucumber or pickle," he says.
How To Thaw Frozen Cucumbers
When you’re ready to use frozen cucumber, it’s important to understand that cucumber thaws quickly at room temperature if you are going to use it right away.
However, if you are planning to "thaw today for use tomorrow," then you should thaw it in a bowl or plastic bag in the refrigerator.
"The cucumber will purge a good bit of liquid as it thaws. because the ice crystals that occur when freezing puncture the cell wall of the fruit, which is why it does not maintain its fresh crunch," Lanuzza says.
Related: Why Are English Cucumbers Wrapped In Plastic?
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