Can you freeze ginger? How long does ginger root last?

Ginger root is an ancient spice on the planet. Since the ancient periods, people have been using it in cooking and as a natural remedy. Ginger root is so nutritious and healthy that you can’t compare it with other spices. It is used as a remedy for stomach pain, nausea, inflammation, diabetes, and gas. We are used to applying ginger root in cooking to increase the favor of recipes. We add ginger in making a variety of juice recipes as well. Like any other, vegetables and spices ginger can go bad. But the question is- Can you freeze ginger? And How long does ginger root last at room temperature, fridge, or in the freezer? And, How to store the ginger root to increase its shelf life? Today, we will discuss everything in this article. Keep reading-

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Can you freeze ginger?

Yes, you can freeze ginger roots without any doubt. Though ginger has longer shelf life itself than any other spice, you can also freeze ginger roots to preserve them for more extended periods. You can freeze raw ginger root, grated ginger, minced ginger, ginger slice, ginger paste, ginger sauce, ginger syrup, and ginger shots, etc. But, the preservation periods will vary from type to type. You can expect the same shelf life of different types of ginger.

How to freeze ginger root properly?

If you grow a lot of ginger in your backyard garden or buy a bunch of ginger roots at a time, you need to preserve them properly to use more extended periods. In a refrigerator, you can store ginger only for short periods. But, to preserve them for longer periods, you have to store the ginger root in a freezer. Freezing ginger whole is as easy as eating a pie. Just follow the steps below-

Collect some garden fresh ginger root, a knife, container or zip lock bag, a marker to write down the date.
Cut of the tiny roots of ginger; try to take same size ginger. if you have any long and large gingerroots, cut them into small pieces. Don’t peel them before storing them in the freezer as unpeeled ginger restore more flavor, taste, and texture when it freezes.
Put all same sized ginger roots in a zip lock or freezer-safe bag; squeeze the bag to remove additional air. You can use the plastic container as well to store the ginger.

Write down the date and send the bag or container to the freezer and store for 2-3 months.

Freezing ginger paste:

To make the ginger paste, you have to choose fresh and good ginger roots. Cut and throw out any rotten parts of ginger. You need not peel the ginger before making the ginger paste. But, you want you can also make the paste from peeled ginger roots.
Wash and clean the ginger root properly.
Now, it’s time to blend the ginger. Turn on your juicer blender and blend all ginger roots properly.
Take a zip lock bag or mason jar and pour the ginger paste. If you use a zip lock bag, make sure you squeezed out all extra air and seal it tight while pouring in a mason jar, and make sure you seal the lid tight leaving some free space from the top.
Write down the preparation date and send the bag or Mason jar in a freezer and preserve for more extended periods.

You can also preserve them in ice cube trays. Pour the all ice cube slot with ginger paste. Send them in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen, transfer the ginger ice cube to a freezer-safe bag and refreeze them for longer periods.

Freezing grated ginger:

To prepare grated ginger, choose fresh and young ginger. Grate peeled or unpeeled ginger using a stainless steel grater.
Fill up all slots of the ice cube tray with grated ginger and freeze them until frozen thoroughly.

Once frozen, transfer each ginger ice cube into a freezer-safe bag and freeze them again for later use.

Freezing ginger slices:

You can freeze ginger slices as well. Choose fresh and good ginger roots. Slices all the ginger in a round shape. Remember you don’t need to peel them off.
Put all ginger slices in a zip lock bag, squeeze out the extra air, write down the date and send the bag in a freezer for later use.

Can you freeze ginger juice?

Ginger juice is healthy and refreshing. If you make a lot of ginger juice at a time, you can also freeze ginger juice for later consumption. You can add the ginger juice in other juice recipes and in cooking to increase flavor later.

How to freeze ginger juice?

You can juice fresh and old ginger roots for freezing purposes. Make sure you scrub and wash the ginger properly before making juice. You can juice either peeled ginger or unpeeled ginger roots.
Cut the ginger into smaller pieces before juicing.
Toss the ginger slices into the feeder hopper of a slow juicer and juice properly.
Now, strain the juice using a strainer or cheesecloth to remove the extra foam before freezing.
Pour each slot of the ice cube tray and freeze until get solid.
Once frozen, transfer the ginger ice cubes into a freezer-safe bag, write down the date and store the bag in the freezer again.

How to use frozen ginger?

Once you freeze the ginger for later use, you have to thaw or defrost before reuse. But, sometimes, you need not thaw them at all, if you preserve the ginger whole or make ice cubes. Whole ginger is easier to peel and cut or grate than fresh ginger roots. Use the ice cube directly in cooking. But, you have to thaw frozen ginger juice, paste, and grated ginger to use them in any cooking, juice recipes, cocktails, and smoothies. You can use the frozen ginger in soup, tea, pizza, and many other dishes to increase the flavor.

How long does ginger root last at room temperature?

How long ginger roots last is dependent on how you store them. Because different types of ginger roots have a different life span. If you preserve the fresh ginger roots at room temperature on the counter, it may last for up to 7-10 days. But, you have to keep them unpeeled and keep away from water. If you store cut ginger pieces at normal room temperature, it may last less than a week. The ginger you buy from the super shop’s spices section is called ground ginger. Ground gingers can last for up to 1-2 years at room temperature if they are unopened. If you opened it once, use them by the manufacture’s instructed date to use it.

How long does ginger root last in the fridge?

You can preserve the ginger root in a refrigerator to increase the shelf life of ginger root a bit. But, all types of ginger don’t give you same longevity. If you store unpeeled fresh ginger roots in the fridge, then you can refrigerate them for up to 3-4 weeks. While chopped ginger roots can be refrigerated for two weeks. If you preserve the grated ginger roots and minced ginger in the fridge, they last for at least 1 week while ginger paste lasts for up to a month. If you store the unpeeled ginger roots in a jar, they may last for up to 2-3 months.

How long does ginger root last in the freezer?

You will get the highest shelf life of ginger roots if you store them in a freezer. You can preserve unpeeled fresh ginger roots in the freezer for at least 3 months while you can freeze ginger paste for up to 8-12 months for sure. You can store peeled ginger root also 3 months in the freezer. Grated or minced ginger roots last for up to 1-2 months in the freezer.

How to tell if ginger root has gone bad?

Ginger roots have some distinctive signs which tell you whether the ginger is gone bad or not. Good ginger roots look fresh and healthy if you look at them with bare eyes. The skins and flesh are too tough to peel or cut off. When you cut the ginger, you will notice the flesh is yellow, gets sharp spicy fragrant, tastes sharp spicy flavor. Once the ginger roots go bad, you won’t get any fragrances. If you notice the color, it turns brown from yellow once spoils. Press the whole ginger root by finger if you feel soft, then throw it away as it is already gone bad. Sometimes, spoiled ginger roots spread a bad smell like rotten veggies.

What happens if you eat bad ginger root?

The Rule of thumb is that every rotten thing is unhealthy and avoidable. So, we should also not eat bad ginger root as it has some adverse effects on our health. Experts say rotten ginger produces a harmful chemical named safrole in our body which may damage our lever. Therefore, keep away from eating bad ginger roots.