Can You Freeze Pesto?
Quick Answer : Can You Freeze Pesto?
Yes. You can freeze pesto in different ways because it freezes well. You can freeze homemade and store-bought pesto with equal ease. The green paste made from basil leaves, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and cheese is a critical ingredient in various Italian recipes. If you prepare pesto in large quantities, you need not struggle to preserve it because pesto freezes well. You can freeze pesto and consume it later with ease. So, shall we look at how to freeze pesto in different ways?
How Do You Freeze Pesto?
Freezing pesto can be fun. Here are the different ways you can freeze it.
Freezing Pesto In Glass Jars
Freezing pesto in glass jars is the easiest method and does not require much preparation.
- Prepare the pesto according to the recipe. It is better to blend it in semi-liquid form. You can also have it as a paste.
- Pour the liquid pesto or scoop the paste into a small glass jar.
- Close the lid airtight and place it inside the freezer, allowing the paste to freeze.
Freezing Pesto In Ziplock Bags
Glass jars can consume space inside the freezer. So, freezing the pesto in ziplock bags is better.
- Blend the pesto and pour it into appropriately-sized ziplock bags.
- Squeeze the bags lightly to remove excess air. Seal the bags well and note the freezing date.
- Leave some gaps for the semi-liquid pesto to expand during freezing.
- Place the freezer bag flat inside the freezer allowing the pesto to freeze well. Once it freezes solid, you can place it standing inside the freezer to save space.
Freezing Pesto In Ice Cube Trays
You can comfortably freeze the pesto in ice cube trays. The benefit is that you can freeze it in small quantities, proving convenient during defrosting and consumption.
- Pour the blended pesto into ice cube compartments. Please leave some space for the pesto to expand.
- The pesto can lose its greenish tinge during defrosting. Add olive oil to the cubes and wrap the ice cube tray with plastic film.
- Place the ice cube tray deep into the freezer, allowing the pesto cubes to solidify.
- Once they freeze solid, you can remove the pesto cubes and transfer them to a freezer-safe ziplock bag for regular freezing.
- Vacuum seal the bag and note the freezing date. Keep the ziplock bag inside the freezer.
Freezing Pesto On A Baking Sheet
The baking sheet method is ideal for freezing pesto because you can slice and break off as much pesto as you need.
- Use a baking sheet or a toaster oven tray and line it with parchment or wax paper.
- Pour the freshly made pesto from the blender on the tray and spread it evenly.
- Place another parchment paper on the pesto and push the tray into the freezer.
- The pesto could take four to five hours to solidify.
- Remove the tray and slice the solidified pesto into wedges.
- Pack these pesto slices in a ziplock bag and seal them properly.
- Note the freezing date and place the bag inside the freezer.
The advantage is that you can remove the required number of pesto slices whenever you need them.
How Long Can Pesto Remain Frozen In The Freezer?
Generally, the frozen pesto remains fresh for six months. However, a lot depends on the freezing conditions.
How Do You Defrost Frozen Pesto?
Usually, you can use the frozen pesto directly from the freezer to the recipe. The pesto defrosts during the natural cooking process.
Alternatively, you can defrost the frozen pesto in the microwave or a pot placed on the stovetop at low heat.
Can You Refreeze Pesto?
Technically, there is no problem refreezing the pesto. But, we do not recommend freezing it because it can change its texture. In addition, repeated freezing can cause harm to its consistency. Therefore, freezing pesto in small quantities is ideal.
Can You Freeze Pesto Chicken?
You can freeze the pesto chicken recipe. However, we suggest wrapping the pesto chicken tightly in cling film before freezing it in ziplock bags placed inside the freezer.
Can You Freeze Pesto Pasta?
Yes. Pesto pasta freezes well. You can freeze the pasta with pesto or any other freezer-friendly sauce.
Can You Freeze Pesto With Cheese In It?
Yes. You can add the Parmesan cheese to the pesto and freeze it. We suggest adding olive oil to ensure the pesto maintains its consistency. Next, you can scoop the pesto into ice cube trays and freeze them solid. Then, you can transfer the pesto cubes to a freezer bag and place them inside the freezer.
Can You Freeze Pesto Pasta Salad?
Yes. It is possible to freeze pesto pasta salad. However, we do not advise freezing the pesto pasta salad with mayonnaise.
Can You Freeze Pesto In Glass Jars?
Yes. It is possible to freeze pesto in glass jars. We suggest leaving space at the top, allowing the pesto to expand while freezing. However, you must carefully handle the glass jars because they can break.
Can You Freeze Pesto From A Jar?
Yes. Store-bought pesto is usually available in jars. You can freeze the jar directly unopened. If you have opened it, you can transfer it to another container for freezing. However, you can also freeze the pesto in its jar if you close it airtight. Exposure to air and excessive humidity inside the freezer can ruin the pesto.
Can You Freeze Pesto With Parmesan?
Yes. Parmesan cheese freezes well. So, there should be no problems freezing the pesto with parmesan cheese.
Can You Freeze Pesto In Mason Jars?
Yes. It is possible to freeze pesto in mason jars. They are ideal containers for freezing the pesto. However, mason jars occupy a lot of space inside the freezer. Besides, they are unwieldy and not as flexible as ziplock bags. In addition, the mason jars are prone to damage.
Final Thoughts
Pesto is a handy Italian recipe usually used as a condiment with various foods to enhance its taste. Therefore, you might prepare it in large quantities. But should you worry about preserving the pesto? No. You need not because it is easy to freeze pesto and maintain its quality comfortably for six months. So, can you freeze pesto and use it later? The answer is YES.
