If you've just harvested Brussels sprouts from your garden or bought them in bulk at a discount at the grocery store, you may want to know how you're going to eat them all before they go bad. Luckily, you can store these vegetables in the freezer for up to a year so you have more time to enjoy them. If you want the taste and nutritional content of brussels sprouts to last longer, blanch (that is, a method of preparing vegetables for freezing or further cooking by briefly submerging them in boiling water) before storing them in the freezer.
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Method 1 of 2: Freezing Without Blanching
Step 1. Pluck the Brussels sprouts from the stems
If the brussels sprouts have come off, you can skip this step. If not, take a brussels sprouts and pluck it off the stem. When all the Brussels sprouts have been picked, remove the stems.
Step 2. Soak the Brussels sprouts in warm water for 10 minutes
Soaking brussels sprouts is an easy way to clean them up before putting them in the freezer. The water will wash away any dirt or other particles under each leaf.
Step 3. Rinse the brussels sprouts in cold water, then pat dry
Use a rag to carefully dry each brussels sprouts. It is important to dry them completely before storing them in the freezer, otherwise ice crystals may form on the brussels sprouts.
Step 4. Put the brussels sprouts in a plastic clip
You may need several sheets of plastic depending on the amount of Brussels sprouts you have. When the plastic is full, blow the air out of the plastic with your hands and cover the plastic.
You can store as much as one serving of Brussels sprouts in each plastic clip bag. That way, when you're ready to cook it, grab a plastic clip without the hassle of weighing it again
Step 5. Write the storage date on the plastic with a permanent marker
Writing the date the brussels sprouts were stored on a plastic clip will help you remember how long the brussels sprouts have been in the freezer. You can also write the expiration date on the plastic so you don't have to count the months every time you want some Brussels sprouts.
Step 6. Store the plastic filled brussels sprouts in the freezer for up to 12 months
After 12 months, the brussels sprouts may start to lose their flavor and texture. If the brussels sprouts dry out or change color when you take them out, it could be a sign that the brussels sprouts have frozen. Brussels sprouts like this are still edible even if they don't taste as good as they should be.
If you don't want your brussels sprouts to change color, taste, or lose their nutritional value for a longer time in the freezer, it's a good idea to blanch them before freezing them
Method 2 of 2: Blanching and Freezing
Step 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and separate the brussels sprouts by size
Divide the Brussels sprouts into three groups according to size, small, medium, and large. Each group requires a different blanching time.
If the brussels sprouts are the same size, put them all together
Step 2. Prepare a large bowl of ice water
You will transfer the boiled brussels sprouts to the iced water right after boiling to complete the blanching process. Fill a large bowl three-quarters full and add one ice cube tray.
Step 3. Boil small brussels sprouts for three minutes
When the water in the pot boils, slowly add the small brussels sprouts. Leave the pan uncovered and set the timer for three minutes.
Step 4. Transfer the small brussels sprouts from the pot to a bowl of iced water
Use a ladle to remove the brussels sprouts from the boiling water. Immediately drop the brussels sprouts into the iced water and let them cool for three minutes.
Step 5. Remove the brussels sprouts from the ice water and pat dry with a cloth
You must dry the brussels sprouts completely before freezing them. When the brussels sprouts are dry, the blanching process is complete and the brussels sprouts are ready to freeze.
Step 6. Repeat this step with another batch of Brussels sprouts, but simmer longer
Boil medium-sized brussels sprouts for 4 minutes, and large ones for five minutes. Immediately put it in ice water when it's finished boiling, and let it cool for as long as the previous boiling time. Remove from ice water and dry with a cloth.
Step 7. Place the blanched Brussels sprouts in a plastic clip
You do not need to store them separately according to size. Once in the plastic bag, blow out the air with your hands and seal the plastic tightly.
Step 8. Write the date of storage on the plastic with a permanent marker
This way you will know how long the brussels sprouts have been in the freezer. You can also write the expiration date on the plastic so you can more easily determine if the brussels sprouts are fresh.
Step 9. Store Brussels sprouts in the freezer for up to 12 months
The taste and texture of Brussels sprouts will not change for up to 12 months in the freezer. If stored longer, the brussels sprouts may freeze and they will no longer taste good. If you notice your brussels sprouts drying out or changing color when you take them out of the freezer, it may be a sign that your brussels sprouts are freezing.
