Freezing is a great way of preserving food. If you have leftovers or have a great crop yield, freezing them is a better option instead of things going to waste. It is very easy to do, and you have homemade food at all times.
Chili is among the most favorite vegetables of people. It spices things up and adds color to your dishes and life. Freezing chili is very simple and useful. You can freeze the chili pepper as is or prepare them first, then freeze them.
In this guide, we will answer all your questions regarding freezing chili.
Table of Contents
Is It Possible to Freeze Chili?
Vegetables are best enjoyed fresh, and that includes chilis as well. It is possible to freeze chilies as is or cut and clean them first, then freeze them. You can also freeze chili dishes that might include meat or other vegetables.
Does Chili Pepper Freeze Well?
Chili does not tend to freeze well as it tends to become mushy and lose the crunchy texture. A better way to freeze chili is to make a sauce then freeze that sauce. This way, you get all the flavors without losing anything.
You can also make simple chili paste and freeze that to use later.
How to Freeze Chili?
Freezing chili is really simple and can be done in a few steps. There are two main methods by which you can freeze chilies.
1. Whole Chili:
Freezing chilies whole is the simplest method of freeing them. Follow the simple steps to freeze them easily.
- Clean the chilis by washing them.
- Dry the chilies with a paper towel.
- Put the chilies in a freezer bag or another container like a plastic box.
- Now put them in the freezer and use them when needed.
When freezing chilies, make sure that you have dried them thoroughly. Dry chilies will not build up frost on the skin. Another thing that might save you a lot of work is labeling the container. By labeling the container, you can use the oldest chilies stored first.
2. Prepared Chili:
There are two methods of preparing chilies. For cleaning and freezing, you need to do the following steps.
- Wash the chilis thoroughly.
- Cut the chilies in half.
- Remove the seed if you like chili’s seedless.
- Using a paper towel, dry them properly.
- Place the chilis on a baking tray and freeze.
- After freezing, put the chilies in a freezer bag and freeze them again.
You can also freeze chiles in ice cube trays. This method is more convenient because you don’t need to cut the chilis after defrosting them.
- Clean and dry the chilies properly.
- Chop the chilies into small pieces.
- Place the chopped chilies in the ice cube molds and add water.
- Put them in the freezer and freeze.
- After completely frozen, remove the chilies from the tray and place them in plastic bags.
- You can add these chilies to your dishes as is, or you can defrost them first and then use them.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to wear gloves when working with hot chili peppers. Hot chilies release an oil named Capsaicin which can cause a burning sensation if it gets on your skin.
Freezing Chili Sauce:
If you like your chilies cooked into the sauce and are worried that it might go to waste, then don’t worry; you can easily freeze the chili sauce as well. Make sure that the sauce you are freezing is freshly made and not old.
You can use the leftovers of the same day but not older. Let the sauce cool down, and then place it into a freezer bag. Now label the bag and put it in the freezer. Make sure that you eat them quickly because, unlike fresh chilies, cooked chilies may go-bag quicker.
How to Defrost Chilies?
Defrosting chilies is really simple; you can defrost them in a microwave or at room temperature. Remove the amount you need and defrost it in a microwave for 3 minutes. The other method is by letting the chilies rest at room temperature and let them melt.
If you defrost a chili sauce, place the required amount in a saucepan and heat at medium until the sauce becomes thick.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long do frozen chilies last?
Cooked chilies are good for about 3-4 days in the fridge and around six months in the freezer.
Can you freeze chilies without blanching them first?
Yes, you can freeze chilies with blanching.
Are frozen chilies better than fresh chilies?
No, by freezing chilies, we might be able to preserve them for a longer time, but they are not comparable to fresh chilies.
Conclusion:
Freezing chilies is a great way to preserve the vegetable and use it when you need them. It is very simple to do, and frozen chilies can last up to 6 months. If you often have leftovers, we recommend you freeze them rather than throw them in the trash.
