Briefly, yes, you can freeze carrots, but blanching them before freezing helps preserve their color, texture, and flavor. Frozen carrots are best used in cooked dishes rather than eaten raw.
Even though carrots are vegetables, they can be incorporated into so many different dishes both sweet and savory. When kept in the refrigerator, fresh raw carrots have a longer shelf life than cooked carrots.
Whether raw or cooked, there is no need to see carrots go to waste since they freeze well. So, any leftovers or extras which you can’t use up before they turn bad can be successfully frozen and used for months to come.
Not only will you save money and food waste but having your veggies ready prepared in the freezer is convenient and saves cooking time.
Here is everything you need to know about freezing carrots.
Can Carrots Be Frozen?
Yes, large carrots and baby carrots freeze well. Freezing uncooked carrots does, however, affect their texture and will result in a less crunchy product than the fresh version. Frozen carrots are, therefore, best used in hot dishes as opposed to salads or snacks.
As with most fresh vegetables, it is best to blanch carrots before freezing. The blanching process refers to pre-treating the vegetables in boiling water to restrict natural enzyme activity which causes color changes, flavor loss, and a decrease in nutritional value.
Blanched carrots will, therefore, have a more vibrant color, better texture, flavor, and last a lot longer in the freezer than if you freeze carrots raw.
How To Freeze Raw Carrots
Step 1: Prepare Carrots
Only use fresh carrots which are healthy and crisp for freezing. Throw out any limp or shriveled carrots from the bunch. Wash the carrots well. Cut off the top and bottom ends of the carrots and peel them with a vegetable peeler.
Step 2: Chop
Cut the carrots into coin-sized rounds. Alternatively, you can also julienne them (lengthwise strips) or cut them into cubes.
Step 3: Blanch the Carrots
Heat a large pot of water till boiling. While the water is heating up, fill a separate bowl with cold water and ice cubes to form an ice bath. Place the carrot slices into the boiling water. Carrots that have been cut into coin-sized rounds will only take 2 minutes to blanch.
You do not want the carrots to cook. Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon immediately after 2 minutes and submerge them directly into the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
Step 4: Dry
Once cold, remove the carrots from the ice water. Dry them with a clean towel or paper towel to remove unwanted moisture. Excess moisture will form crystals on freezing causing textural damage to the veggies.
Step 5: Flash Freeze
Spread the carrots in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place them in the freezer until frozen solid. The flash freezing process prevents the carrots from sticking together in a clump, allowing you to remove just as much as you need from the freezer at a time.
Step 6: Pack
Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and pack the frozen carrot pieces into resealable freezer bags. Press out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and ensure you have a tightly sealed freezer bag so no air or moisture can get back in.
Step 7: Label and Freeze
Write the date of freezing on the packaging so you know how long the carrots have been stored and freeze.
How To Freeze Cooked Carrots
Step 1: Cool
If the carrots have already been cooked, whether in slice carrots, chunks, mash, or whole, cool the veggies completely before packing them. You can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process if necessary.
Step 2: Pack
Pat dry any excess water or moisture on the exterior. This is especially important with boiled carrots. Exposure to moisture or air will cause freezer burn during the freezing process.
Once cooled, pack the carrots into resealable freezer bags. Press out any excess air and seal.
Step 3: Label and Freeze
Label the bag with the date and place it in the freezer.
How To Thaw Frozen Carrots
The best way to thaw frozen carrots is to place them in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Defrosted carrots will cook faster than they will from frozen.
Alternatively, you can cook the carrots from frozen by adding them straight into the pan, pot, or casserole. If using the carrots from frozen, add a few minutes to the cooking time to allow for thorough heating.
Types of Carrots
The carrot is a root vegetable mostly known to be orange in color, although purple, black, red, white, and yellow varieties are also found.
The thick pointy roots grow underground with green foliage sprouting above the ground. The carrot greens can also be eaten, however, they can be bitter.
Carrots are eaten raw in a variety of salads, eaten whole roasted, or chopped, grated, and sliced. They can be prepared by boiling, steaming, frying, pureeing, and even juicing.
Used in soups, stews, baby foods, puddings, cakes, pet food, and smoothies, carrots are extremely versatile and nutritious.
FAQs
How long do carrots last?
Fresh, whole carrots kept in the refrigerator will last for approximately 3 weeks. Once carrots have been cut or cooked, their shelf life decreases to 3 to 5 days. Carrots that have been blanched and frozen will last for 10 to 12 months in the freezer.
What can you do with frozen carrots?
Frozen carrots can be added to any cooked meals, stir-fries, casseroles, soups, sauces, blended into a carrot mash, and oven-roasted with herbs. You can also use frozen carrots in carrot cake, smoothies, and to make muffins.
Can you freeze carrots without blanching them?
Yes, you can freeze carrots without blanching, however, their shelf life and quality will not be as good as that of blanched carrots. Use unblanched frozen carrots within 1 to 2 months of freezing for the best quality.
Can you freeze shredded carrots?
Yes, shredded carrots can be frozen, and are ideal for use in baked goods such as carrot cake, muffins, or even turning into a puree. Keep them in a resealable freezer bag protected from contact with moisture and air. Press out any air before sealing the bag. Use the shredded carrots within 1 to 2 months for the best flavor and texture.
Is it OK to freeze carrots without blanching?
Yes, you can freeze carrots without blanching, but they may have a slightly different texture and color compared to blanched ones. Blanching helps retain the best quality during freezing.
Conclusion
Eaten raw, cooked, whole, shredded, or mashed, carrots are versatile vegetables that can even be sneaked into desserts. Carrots freeze very well, and although frozen carrots are best used in cooked dishes, their flavor and color keep a great quality.
Whether you’re saving on food waste, saving money by buying in bulk, or doing meal-prep for convenient week-night dinners, freezing carrots is easy and very worthwhile.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
