Freezing ketchup might sound a bit odd to some people, but if you ended up on this page, I am pretty sure you want to know if it is possible to freeze it or not. Well, you can definitely freeze ketchup, but when it comes time to defrost it, it probably won’t have the same consistency as the one fresh out the bottle. Actually, it could turn out to be pretty unusable, so it really depends on your reasons for freezing this condiment.
Below I highlight some basic steps to dealing with frozen ketchup, as well as some other information you might find useful.
Why People Freeze Ketchup?
You will find that some people want to freeze ketchup because they use it sparingly and they often think that it will go bad, if it is not stored properly. Ketchup that is opened/unopened can last for up to 2 years, so keep that in mind before you attempt to throw it in the freezer. It actually makes sense to keep it out of the freezer for storage, simply because the taste and consistency could change drastically. Because of the high water content of ketchup, it freezes like ice, however when it comes to defrosting, the ingredients will actually separate and it can become runny and disgusting. The taste is also thrown off when frozen. This is why it is important to know your reasons for freezing it
Related: Can You Freeze Mayonnaise?
How to Freeze Ketchup?
Freezing Ketchup is pretty easy and the real key is to ensure that it is stored properly and not exposed in the freezer, where it could get freezer burn.
Step 1
If you have a bottle, you could just put it in the freezer. Please be aware that the ketchup will expand as it freezes, so plastic bottles should be ok, but glass bottles might not be a good idea.
This step is really all you need if you are doing a bottle, the other steps below are geared for individual servings.
Step 2
You will often find that some people will squeeze the ketchup into ice trays and make little cubes, which they can take out and defrost individually when needed. If you plan on doing this, then squeeze the ketchup in the tray and let it sit in the freezer till frozen.
Step 3
Once frozen, you can take the ketchup cubes and place them in an air tight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.
Thawing It Out
Thawing frozen ketchup is easy and you will find that most people will let it sit at room temperature until it is fully defrosted. You should be aware that you are either going to have to shake the container up or mix it around to try and get it back to the right consistency, as it can often come out very watery and disgusting. This is why I mentioned above that it is not generally a good idea to freeze ketchup, simply because it has such a long shelf life.
My reason for freezing is that we had smaller-than-usual refrigerators (read cheap, off-brand, Chinese-made pieces of junk) installed during a recent renovation, and the large bottles won’t fit in the door. I use 1.5 – 2 cups at a time when I’m making meatloaf, but other than that I don’t use it much. So I’ve been buying the smaller bottles, but it’s much more economical to buy a large 2-pack, like I did recently when they were on sale. MUCH cheaper this way.
I’ve been researching this topic; some sources say “yes”, but most say “no”, because it loses its texture & some flavor after defrosting. My thought is this: why not mix some thawed ketchup with some that hasn’t been frozen, especially in my situation? Wouldn’t that help with the texture problem?
Ketchup is one of the best condiments because it freezes so well. It’s easy to make, tastes way better than processed and you can make it with organic low calorie ingredients. Fermented ketchup is the best!