Can You Freeze Eggplant?
Don’t throw out your excess eggplant! Here’s what you need to know about freezing your eggplant and using it later:
How Long Does Eggplant Last?
It depends on how it’s stored.
In the fridge, fresh eggplant can last two or three weeks.
In the freezer, it’ll be good for about eight months. It will remain safe to eat after that, but time will adversely affect taste and texture.
Can You Freeze Eggplant?
Yes! You can absolutely freeze eggplant. Eggplant that has been frozen and thawed will never be exactly like fresh eggplant, but there are some things you can do to preserve the texture and taste.
How to Freeze Eggplant
First thing’s first: Should you bake, roast, or otherwise cook eggplant before freezing?
While it may seem counterintuitive, a little pre-freeze bake is necessary because of the fruit’s (yes, it’s a fruit!) high water content.
You want to try to zap out all the moisture you can, since that water will change from a liquid to a solid (ice) once it freezes. Water expands and forms ice crystals when it’s frozen. Those ice crystals melt when thawed, which results in soggy eggplant later.
To freeze eggplant:
Slice the eggplant into 1-inch rounds. Place rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes. Allow the rounds to cool completely (do NOT skip this step).
Place slices in a freezer-safe bag. Make sure to separate the slices with wax paper to prevent sticking.
Label with the date and freeze up to eight months.
If you’re planning to use the eggplant for a soup or sauce (like Baba Ghanoush) in the future, it makes more sense to go ahead and purée it before freezing. Just pierce the eggplant with a fork and roast the whole thing at 400° until it starts to collapse. After it has cooled, cut the eggplant and scoop the purée into freezer-safe bags. Label with the date and freeze up to eight months.
When you’re ready to use the eggplant, use frozen or thaw in the fridge overnight.
Eggplant Recipes
Looking for something to do with all that perfectly frozen eggplant? We’ve got you covered:
Hungry for more? Check out 40 Easy Eggplant Recipes next.
