Can You Freeze Ginger? Yes, and It Grates Easier
Ginger freezes very well whole, grated or puréed, and it grates more easily frozen. Learn the methods, storage time and best uses.
Can you freeze ginger? Yes, and it freezes very well. Frozen ginger keeps for months, keeps its flavor and is easier to grate than fresh. Freeze it whole, peeled, grated or puréed, with no blanching, and use it straight from the freezer.
Can you freeze ginger?
Yes. Our ginger storage page says it freezes exceptionally well, and America's Test Kitchen backs it up. They compared freezing ginger against storing it in water or in vodka, and found the frozen ginger kept its flavor and its firm, easy-to-grate texture, while ginger kept in water went mushy (America's Test Kitchen). Enzymes in fresh ginger break down its starch and pectin over time, and freezing slows them.
The sources below all freeze ginger raw, with no blanching step. Frozen at 0°F, it stays safe indefinitely (USDA FSIS).
How can you freeze ginger?
| Method | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Whole or in chunks | Peel, wrap tightly in plastic, freeze | Grating from frozen |
| Grated or minced | Spread teaspoon portions on a parchment-lined tray, freeze solid, bag them | Smoothies, stir-fries, sauces |
| Purée | Blend with just enough water, freeze flat in a bag, snap off pieces | Tea, braises, soups |
Steps for the whole-piece method, the easiest:
- Peel the ginger, which is easier to do before freezing (Serious Eats).
- Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then put the pieces in a freezer bag and press out the air.
- Label the bag with the date and freeze.
For the grated method, freeze portions on a tray until solid, then transfer them to an airtight container (The Kitchn).
How long does frozen ginger keep, and how do you thaw it?
USDA's FoodKeeper lists 6 months in the freezer for ginger root at best quality, and The Kitchn gives about the same for grated ginger. Our ginger storage page uses about 180 days, the same window. NCHFP gives no ginger-specific time, so six months is the planning number. It's about quality only: food kept at 0°F stays safe (USDA FSIS).
You often don't need to thaw ginger. Grate a frozen piece with a microplane, or drop frozen grated ginger into a hot pan, soup or smoothie. For baking or raw dressings, let the portion thaw first, which takes only a few minutes for small pieces (The Kitchn). If ginger smells sour or shows mold, throw it out. When in doubt, throw it out.
What changes when you freeze ginger?
Whole frozen ginger grates into light, fluffy shavings, so measure by weight or use roughly double the volume of fresh (Milk Street). Thawed ginger is softer than fresh, so it's better for cooking than for slicing into matchsticks.
Good uses:
- Stir-fries, curries and braises
- Tea and smoothies
- Marinades and dressings
- Baking, such as gingerbread and cookies
What foods are like ginger for the freezer?
Other kitchen staples freeze just as well. See how to freeze fresh herbs, can you freeze lemons and foods you didn't know you could freeze, plus the full list in Can you freeze food?.
Keep track of frozen ginger
A knob of ginger at the back of the fridge is easy to forget. Add three foods from your fridge and freezer to Well Stockd. Fridge items get an estimated expiration date; for freezer items, write the freeze date on the package. Try it free or see the best app to track food expiration dates.
FAQ
Do you need to peel ginger before freezing it?
No, but it's easier before you freeze than after. Serious Eats peels first and grates from frozen. For a purée, you can leave the peel on if you slice it thin against the grain.
Can you freeze ginger root whole?
Yes. Wrap it tightly and freeze it, then grate what you need and put the rest back.
Can you grate ginger straight from the freezer?
Yes. A frozen piece grates into light, fluffy shavings on a microplane. Put the rest back in the freezer right away.