Looking to learn how to freeze swede? This incredibly tasty root vegetable often lasts an incredibly long time.
However, in some cases that may not be long enough and you may choose to freeze it to preserve it for longer.
In this article, we’ll cover the multiple methods you can follow to successfully freeze swede for later use.
Tools & Equipment For Freezing Food
These are my tried and tested tools and equipment for freezing food.
Whether it’s fresh fruits or completely prepared meals these tools will make the process easier, and the food last longer and taste better!
Containers – We opt for glass containers as they are better for the environment, much higher quality and don’t stain like plastic, however they are an investment.
So if you’re short on money buy high-quality plastic containers in the meantime.
Just be sure that you buy your containers in a range of sizes as you’ll be using them to freeze and store a range of different foods.
Ziplock Bags – Invest in quality freezer bags and they’ll help keep out air, prevent frost and keep your food fresh for longer.
The majority of the high-quality ziplock bags come with a small area for you to write information about the food (i.e. what it is, when it was frozen and defrosting instructions) on the bag.
Ice Cube Trays – Ice cube trays can help you freeze more than just water. Instead, we use them for freezing small portions of food such as egg whites, tomato sauce, pesto etc.
Simply add the food to the tray, freeze and once frozen pop the food out and into a ziplock bag, then you can simply take one or two portions of food out and defrost as needed.
Foil Baking Containers – We use foil baking containers when we’re batch cooking frozen meals.
They are affordable, durable and come in a variety of sizes allowing you to portion out or put everything in one large container to be cooked at a later date.
If all that wasn’t enough, the majority of meals are safe to be cooked in the oven with the foil container. This reduces the amount of hassle, time and washing up you’ll have to do – winner!
How To Freeze Raw Swede
There are two different methods I follow when freezing swede. The right method often depends on how you plan to use the swede at a later date.
If you’re planning to use your swede for soup then simply take your swede and cut it into 3cm chunks.
Be sure to remove any shrivelled or damaged areas of the swede at this time.
There’s no need to blanch the swede as you’re going to be using it for a soup, and therefore the texture will be distorted anyway.
So, simply take the chunks and pop them in a freezable container.
Label and date the container and move to the freezer.
How To Freeze Cooked Swede
If you plan to use the swede as a mash, suitable as a side dish for roast dinners or as a weening dish for babies you’ll want to begin by cooking the swede as normal.
Then mashing the swede. Some choose to add carrot for extra flavour and texture.
Once the dish has been mashed, cooked and cooled transfer to a freezable container
Then simply write the details such as the item and date on the container and pop it in the freezer.
In either scenario, the swede can be frozen for up to one year safely.
Can I Freeze Mashed Swede?
Yes, you can freeze mashed swede. This is perfect for preparing meals quickly if you like to have a mash on hand.
To prepare the mashed swede, make as you normally would and sit the side to cool.
Once cool portion into bags or containers with the contents written on the outside along with the freezer date.
To cook the mashed swede simply place it in a pan on low/medium heat, the mash will be a little watery but the excess water will evaporate and leave your mash light and fluffy.
Alternatively, you can thaw out the mash beforehand and reheat on the hob, you may still get excess water with this method.
How To Defrost Swede
When you’re ready to defrost your swede (frozen in either of the two scenarios above) simply take the container out of the freezer and move it to the refrigerator.
Leave the swede in the refrigerator overnight or for twelve hours for it to thaw naturally.
Alternatively, you can simply remove the swede from the refrigerator and leave it out on the counter for it to defrost quicker.
Following this method is likely to take around four hours. Depending on the temperature of your freezer and your home at the time.
When following either method, be sure to put a plate or a towel under the swede to prevent the moisture from leaking over your fridge our counter.
Can I Cook Frozen Swede That Has Already Been Cooked?
Yes of course! You may find any method you use may produce a little water from the freezer, over the cooking time this will evaporate.
You can cook frozen swede in several forms from roasting in the oven to on the hob.
If you are cooking frozen cubed swede for roasting you can cook this from frozen, simply adjust your cooking time to add additional 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven) to the roasting process.
If you are choosing to cook your swede on the hob add an additional 15-20 minutes to the cooking time (heat dependent) though a low/medium heat is preferred as to not burn the swede.
You can alternatively steam your swede from frozen which may be quicker and better to allow the water content to leave the swede rather than sit in it.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.