Can You Freeze Gravy?
Gravy is an indispensable part of any cuisine. Our vegetable and meat dishes would never taste as they do without gravy. Hence, you always find us preparing more gravy than we could consume in a sitting. And if it is a celebration like a wedding party or a Thanksgiving function, you usually find lots of gravy around the kitchen. So, if you do not like to waste or discard gravy, it is natural to ask, ‘Can you freeze gravy.’
Freezing gravy is crucial because many expensive ingredients go into its preparation. Why should we throw our riches into the drain when we have better alternatives?
So, Can You Freeze Gravy?
If you are looking for a happy answer, here you are. Yes, you can freeze gravy for long-term storage. So, what would you do for short-term storage? Read on to learn everything about storing and freezing gravy.
The Short-Term Solution
Short-term gravy storage is the right option if you do not have much leftover gravy and could consume it within a couple of sittings.
Refrigerate the leftover gravy and consume it within two days. You can boil the gravy for around three minutes whenever you decide to use it. It helps kill the bacteria and make it fit for consumption. You can store any leftovers for a couple of days more.
This process can continue for a week, provided you remove the gravy every two days and boil it to eliminate bacteria. If you find cooking and refrigerating gravy every two days a bit cumbersome, you can always switch over to the long-term solution, freezing the sauce.
The Long-term Solution
The short-term refrigerating solution is recommended whenever you have
- Small quantities of leftover gravy
- Used a lot of milk, fat, or cream in its preparation
So, freezing is ideal if you are left with large leftovers and have not used fatty substances to prepare the gravy. It is because milk, fat, or cream can separate during defrosting.
I shall share a vital trick that can prove helpful and reduce the chances of these ingredients separating during the thawing process.
‘Run the gravy in your food processor or blender before you pack it for freezing.’ It will save you from watching these fatty ingredients separate during defrosting.
How Do You Freeze Gravy?
You can freeze gravy in multiple ways.
- Pour the gravy into an airtight freezer-safe container or a sealable freezer bag. The airtight container is better if you have thick sauce to store.
- If you wish to scoop out small portions to consume intermittently, freezing the gravy in an ice cube tray is a viable solution.
You might have prepared meat or turkey along with the gravy. It is better to store such leftovers with their dressing. They tend to taste better and prevent them from becoming dry.
How To Defrost Gravy?
Here is a quick tip for defrosting. It is always advisable to defrost your frozen items inside the refrigerator naturally. The process can take time, but the defrosting would be perfect. However, there will be condensation issues if you remove the frozen item from the freezer and defrost it at room temperature. Besides, exposure to the atmosphere can even spoil the food quickly.
So, transfer the freezer bag or airtight container from the freezer into the refrigerator and keep it overnight for natural defrosting. Then, you can reheat the thawed gravy slowly in a vessel over medium-low heat. It is ideal for keeping stirring the gravy frequently to avoid lump formation.
If the gravy seems too thick for comfort or if it tends to separate, you can add water and whisk it well. It is also possible to reheat gravy in a microwave oven at 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, the meat-gravy combinations last for three months. The vegetable-gravy varieties do not last as long. Therefore, it is better to consume them quickly.
Can You Refreeze The Gravy?
Generally, this question should not arise. It is better to scoop out frozen gravy portions that you would consume immediately. The rest of the gravy can continue freezing inside the freezer. If you had used the ice cube tray method, you have ready-made smaller portions for consumption.
A Critical Tip
It is not advisable to serve cold gravy on the plate. Before serving, we heating boiling it well with additional toppings like spices, coriander leaves, etc. The hot sauce tastes better than icy cold combos.
We have discussed everything about freezing and storing gravy. Let us explore exciting ways to use the leftover gravy.
- It is not necessary to serve gravy with turkey or mashed potatoes. Instead, you can use meatballs, noodles, spaghetti, etc.
- You can convert the gravy into a steak by adding caramelized onions.
- Adding gravy to soups and stews can make them thicker.
- Another exciting use is to serve biscuits or bread with gravy for breakfast.
Here are some questions that frequently come to mind when freezing gravy.
Is it Possible To Freeze Leftover Bisto Gravy?
Bisto gravy is the least expensive of all condiments. The granules can last in your kitchen cupboard for months. You can use them anytime to prepare the instant gravy. However, we do not recommend freeing Bisto gravy.
Can You Freeze Beef Gravy?
It is perfectly possible to freeze gravy in the same way discussed above. Frozen beef gravy comfortably lasts for three months.
Can You Reheat Gravy Directly From Its Frozen State?
It is not advisable to reheat gravy directly from the freezer. A better option is thawing the required portion in the refrigerator for some time to bring it as close as possible to room temperature before heating it.
Can You Reheat Frozen Gravy Twice?
That should not be an issue, but it is better to limit the reheating process. A better alternative is to heat the portion you would consume immediately.
Final Thoughts
No kitchen can do without gravy. It is an integral part of our recipe. So, leftovers will be there. Therefore, the question, Can you freeze gravy, is logical. The answer is Yes, you can.
