Can You Freeze Cucumbers (4 Easy Methods to Freeze Cucumber)
on Feb 28, 2022
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If you have a lot of cucumbers on hand, either from your home garden or from a sale at your grocer, you may wonder if it’s possible to freeze cucumbers. While freezing cucumbers will affect the texture, largely because they contain a lot of water, you can freeze cucumbers and then use them in ways you may not have thought of before.
Known for their crunchy texture and mild flavor, cucumbers are a truly versatile vegetable. Whether you enjoy them in salads, on a veggie tray with creamy dips, or brined as salty pickles, there’s a lot to love about cucumbers.
Like butternut squash, broccoli, or green beans, cucumbers can be frozen too.
How To Prepare Fresh Cucumbers Before Freezing
You’ll need to rinse the cucumbers well and cut them into thin slices or spears. Have some parchment paper on hand as well as cookie sheets, freezer bags and/or freezer-safe containers.
How To Freeze Cucumbers (4 Easy Methods)
Method 1: Freeze Cucumber Slices
Place slices or spears of cucumber onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet into the freezer until the cucumber is frozen and firm, about 2 hours. Put the frozen cucumber into a resealable freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. Label the bag and place it in the freezer.
Method 2: Freeze Cucumbers in Ice Cube Tray
Frozen chunks of cucumber would be a great addition to a green smoothie. Cut the cucumber into cubes and place them into ice cube trays. Cover the cucumbers with water and then put the ice cube tray in the freezer until the water is frozen. Pop the cucumber cubes out of the ice cube trays and place them into a resealable freezer bag. Label the bag and place it in the freezer.
Method 3: Make Cucumber into Pickles and Freeze them
Cut unpeeled cucumbers into thin slices and place them in a large bowl with some sliced onions. Add salt and soak the cucumbers and onions in cold water. Let the mixture sit for two hours and then drain.
In a saucepan, add vinegar and sugar and bring to a boil. Let it simmer until the sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature.
Pour the cooled mixture over the cucumbers and onions and mix.
Transfer to a plastic container, leaving a quarter inch of space at the top, and then cover tightly and freeze. When ready to eat, remove the container from the freezer and place in the fridge to defrost. The frozen pickles will take about 4 hours to thaw.
Method 4: Freeze Cucumber Puree
If you enjoy chilled soup, you can use frozen pureed cucumber. Peel the cucumbers and pulse them in a blender until pureed. Pour the puree into ice cube trays and freeze for a few hours. Transfer the frozen puree into a resealable freezer bag or a freezer-safe container, and then label and freeze.
Ways to Use Frozen Cucumbers
In addition to smoothies and chilled soups, you can thaw frozen cucumbers and enjoy them on sandwiches, and in dips like tzatziki. In beverages, use them in martinis and in cucumber-infused water.
Use sliced frozen cucumbers on your eyes for a few minutes to help reduce bags and puffiness, spread thawed pureed cucumber on your face for a quick refresh, and then rinse. Pureed cucumber can also be blended with avocado to use as a face mask.
How To Thaw Frozen Cucumbers
Because of their high water content, cucumbers will release a lot of liquid when they thaw. Depending on how you’ll use them, you may want to use some paper towels to absorb some of the excess moisture.
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How to Freeze Cucumbers (Step by Step Instructions)
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- Parchment paper
- Freezer-safe bag
Instructions
- Cut the cucumber into slices.
- Place sliced cucumber onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet into the freezer until the cucumber is frozen and firm, about 2 hours.
- Put the frozen cucumber into a resealable freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. Label the bag and place it in the freezer.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
