Want to know if you can freeze salsa, then keep reading.
This article will not only answer that question, but also look at the best way to do it.
Can you Freeze Salsa & Should You Be Doing This?
The answer is yes, you can freeze salsa and while it won’t be exactly as it was when it was freshly made, you can definitely freeze it to use in recipes or dishes that call for it as an ingredient.
Frozen salsa can be stored in the freezer for 1-2 months before it begins to degrade, according to stilltasty.com. While the short, you still have some amount of storage time with this popular sauce.
Should You Freeze Salsa?
While you can freeze salsa, should you really be doing it?
Salsa is mainly made of tomatoes and this vegetable by itself does not freeze well.
Frozen tomatoes texture becomes mushy when thawed out and aside from having a different texture, there will also be a different taste.
Because of this, it is highly recommended that you make your salsa fresh when you can. Usually, when this dish is frozen, it is often used as an ingredient when cooking, as opposed to being used as a dip.
Related: Can You Freeze Cilantro?
How to Freeze Salsa: Quick Step-by-Step Guide
While we recommend that you always make fresh homemade salsa, if you want to know how to store it in the freezer for use in cooking or you do not care about the taste when thawed out, we show you how to do it with homemade or store-bought sauce.
Freezing Homemade Salsa
Getting salsa ready for the freezer is an easy process and you can have everything setup and done in under 10 minutes.
Steps:
- Take your homemade salsa and place it in a freezer safe container or bag.
- If it’s in a bag, Try to remove all the air from it before sealing.
- Place in the freezer and remember to use within 2 months.
Freezing Store-Bought Salsa
Even though store-bought salsa can be stored for months, due to them being loaded with preservatives, if you have an opened bottle, you might want to freeze it to extend the shelf life.
Steps:
- If the store bought salsa comes in glass, make sure it is tempered or designed for freezing. You do not want the class to crack, as the food expands when frozen. (We recommend putting the salsa in another container)
- Take the freezer bag/container and place in the freezer.
- Place in the freezer and remember to use within 2 months.
Related: Can You Freeze Nacho Cheese?
Thawing Frozen Salsa
As highlighted above, thawed salsa will have a texture and taste that might be slightly off.
If you are still adamant in using your frozen salsa, you can let it sit overnight in the refrigerator to thaw out. Another way to defrost it is to take it out and let it sit at room temperature.
Wrapping it up
While it is highly recommended that you make salsa fresh, it can be frozen, especially if you are using it in other dishes that call for it.
The biggest con in freezing this food is that there is a slight change in taste and the texture will be a bit off, as it will tend to be mushy when thawed out.
Overall, salsa should be enjoyed fresh if you are looking for that flavor and texture that you love. Freezing should be consider if you plan on using the salsa while cooking or as a last resort.
