How Can I Freeze Bean Sprouts?

Extra crunch and mild flavors are something you might want to add to your dishes.

Whether it’s a staple ingredient or an exceptional option, beansprouts will provide your dish with that extra flavor and crunch.

You can buy a bag of bean sprouts and freeze the leftovers for future use. You will need to follow steps to preserve them, otherwise, you will end up wasting them.

The easiest steps for freezing bean sprouts were found through authoritative websites.

The following steps are necessary for the best results:

• The beans need to be blanched in a pot of boiling water.
• An ice bath is the best way to stop the bean sprout cooking process.
• The bean sprouts can be frozen for 10 minutes.
• The bean sprout should be put in a freezer-ready bag.

That is how easy it is to keep your bean sprout in the freezer.

We will give you more information on what happens in each step and why it is necessary to follow them. Continue reading and be sure to do so.

How Do I Need to Blanch Bean Sprouts for Freezing?

Because bean sprouts have a high concentration of water, they can rot in as little as 5 days after being left on the counter or in the fridge.

That is the reason why the most important step in the freezing process is blanching.

You can find the proper blanching process for bean sprouts and other steps in preparing them for freezing below.

Blanch the Bean Sprouts

• As with most produce, you should wash the bean sprouts. A fast and efficient way of cleaning the sprouts is to thoroughly rinse them under running water.
• The dirt must be washed off immediately so that it does not get stuck in the sprout. Once done, fill a pot or a saucepan with enough water and bring it to a boil.
• After the water has boiled for 2 minutes, add the bean sprouts to the bowl of cold water. The bean sprout should be immersed in the boiling water for not more than 3 minutes.
• If you want to easily scoop up the beans, use a spider strainer afterward. If you find that your blanching process has not done its job, there is a tip that will save you frustration.
• The sprouts should be blanched in batches. You should immerse the bean sprouts in the bowl of ice water immediately after they are blanched, as this will make the blanching inconsistent and even.
• This will help preserve the flavor and crunch by preventing overcooking. If you want to remove as much water as possible, spread the bean sprouts in a tray covered with kitchen tissue.

Storing Bean Sprouts Inside the Freezer 

• Leave the bean sprout tray in the freezer for 10 minutes or until they are hardened. When freezing vegetables such as asparagus, it is common to use this process.
• Remove the bean sprouts from the freezer and start packing them in a freezer-ready bag. Don’t overstuff them in a single bag to make sure they don’t get crushed.
• Place the bags in the freezer in an area where they will stay untouched until the day you use them.

How Long Do I Need to Freeze Bean Sprouts?

Bean sprouts can last from 10 to 12 months in the freezer, despite their high water content, if you follow the steps above.

This doesn’t mean that the original flavor, crispness, and texture will stay the same during that time.

So, what is the recommended freezing time for bean sprouts that will still give you a fresh taste?

According to experts, you should only keep the bean sprout frozen for 3 months if you want them to retain their texture.

The bean sprout won’t go bad if you go past that time, but it won’t have its unique mild flavor anymore.

Is It Possible To Freeze Raw Bean Sprouts?

Between 3 and 5 days is the average shelf life of bean sprouts. Blanching is necessary, but freezing can extend that.

We don’t recommend freezing bean sprouts without boiling them first. Do you have any knowledge of why?

Bean sprouts are responsible for making them grow and mature because they have amidase that makes them grow and mature.

It is possible to freeze the bean sprout directly so that it can work in the freezer. What did the result look like? The texture was very soggy and squishy.

Do you not want that to be part of your dish?

If you want to keep the flavor and crispness, you should always blanch your bean sprout first, as this will kill the enzymes and stop the maturation process, thus, keeping the flavor and crispness.

How Can I Keep Bean Sprouts from Going Bad?

If you buy a bag of bean sprouts and leave them in the bag unattended, you will be looking forward to a slimy bean sprout when you get back.

You have the option of doing it in two different ways.

The most important thing to do is to take it out of the bag immediately. Choose from any of the methods below once you are done.

Lemon and water immersion method

After washing the bean sprout, fill a bowl or small basin with just enough water to make the sprout float. Take a few slices of lemon and put them on the bean sprout.

It’s a good idea to put it in the fridge and use it whenever you want.

Water absorbent paper or fabric method

Prepare a container large enough to hold everything.

You need to only use this type of container if you want to reduce the air exposure that can cause bean sprout changes in taste and texture.

You can store it in the fridge and use it within two days. You don’t have to keep bean sprouts in the freezer for a couple of days.

There is a risk of food poisoning caused by bean sprouts. We suggest that you freeze them, even if you don’t plan on keeping them for long.

Is It Possible to Use Frozen Bean Sprouts?

You may be able to use frozen bean sprouts. That is the most important point of freezing them in the first place.

You can either mix them with your beef and bean sprout recipe or add them directly to your salad.

The best thing about using them after freezing is that they are not necessary as the ice can melt easily.

If you use a mountain of frozen bean sprouts, you can thaw them in the fridge for at least an hour as the ice begins to melt, thanks to their small size.

You can thaw the bean sprouts in a bowl of water, provided that you use them immediately after the thaw.

If some of the bean sprouts don’t end up in your recipe, don’t refreeze them, because this will make them softer.

It is important that you only get the right amount of ingredients for your recipe.

Conclusion

It’s possible to keep your bean sprouts from going bad by freezing them. Their natural texture can also be locked in by it.

If you follow the steps in this blog, you will be able to avoid wasting your bean sprout and be certain that they will last for months.