Yes, bok choy can be frozen. It can also be blanched to remove some of the bitterness.
Bok Choy is a type of leafy vegetable that has become very popular lately. It’s often served raw or lightly steamed, but some people prefer to cook it.
Bok Choy is a Chinese cabbage that grows in bunches. It’s also known as pak choi and white type of cabbage.
The leaves are usually vivid green leaves and have a crunchy texture. They have a mild flavor and are high in vitamin C.
You can freeze it whole to serve as a salad or cut it into pieces for stir-fry. You can also steam it, and then use it in soups, salads, sandwiches, and stir-fries.
You can store Bok Choy in the refrigerator for 3 days. When you bring it home from the grocery store, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the crisper drawer.
Bok choy is a member of the clean cabbage family and can be prepared in many ways. It is usually cooked, but it can also be eaten raw.
How to Freeze Bok Choy?
- To keep your Bok Choy fresh longer, you may want to freeze it. You can do this by placing the chopped leaves in an airtight container.
- To prevent freezer burn, make sure the container is sealed well. Make sure there is no moisture inside the container.
- Once frozen, transfer the Bok Choy to resealable bags. Label each bag with the date so you know when they were frozen.
Is it Necessary to Blanch Bok Choy Before Freezing?
If you plan on storing your Bok Choy in the freezer, you don’t need to blanch it first.
But, if you want to use the Bok Choy right away, you should boil it first. This will help remove any dirt or debris that may be stuck to the leaves.
- When boiling Bok Choy, fill a large pot with warm water and add 1/2 cup of salt.
- Bring the bowl of hot water to a rolling boil over medium heat.
- Add the Bok Choy and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the Bok Choy from the hot cup water and drain it.
- Let it cool completely before transferring it to the freezer.
What else can I do to Preserve my Bok Choy?
When you take out the Bok Choy from proper storage, rinse it under cold water. Try not to wash the Bok Choy too much. It will cause the leaves to lose their crispiness.
Store your Bok Choy in a plastic bag or container. Plastic is better than glass because it won’t break.
Can I freeze Bok Choy after it has been cooked?
Yes! Cooked Bok Choy can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Follow the exact instructions above.
You will be able to freeze bok choy after being cooked by blanching it first. And you are then cooking it in the microwave or steaming it.
It is the best way to preserve bok choy so you can store it in the freezer and use it later.
If you plan to consume the Bok Choy within a week or two, it’s better to store it in the refrigerator. But, if you plan to consume the Bok Choy in the future, you should store it in the freezer.
How Do You Defrost Bok Choy?
Defrosting frozen food isn’t always easy. It can sometimes be downright frustrating.
There are many different ways to defrost bok choy.
1) Place the frozen Bok Choy in a colander and run a bowl of tap water through it. It helps release excess ice crystals and makes separating the Bok Choy from other foods easier.
2) Thaw the Bok Choy in the microwave. Wrap the Bok Choy in a paper towel and then place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it on high power for about 30 seconds until thawed.
3) If you prefer, you can also try defrosting your Bok Choy in clean water. Submerge the Bok Choy in a sink filled with a cold cup of water. Change the water content every 15 minutes.
4) Finally, you can also put the Bok Choy in a bowl of water. The icy water will help loosen the ice crystals.
4 Ways to Use Frozen Bok Choy
You can use frozen Bok Choy in about anything. Here are four ideas:
- Add it to stir fry dishes.
- Chop it up and toss it into salads.
- Slice it and serve as a side dish.
- Toss it into soups.
How to Flash Freeze?
The easiest way to flash-freezing fresh Bok Choy is to use a food processor. Cut the Bok Choy into small pieces and pulse them together until they form a thick paste.
Then, pour the mixture into a shallow baking pan and spread it across the bottom. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the freezer.
After an hour, remove the pan and scrape off the flash-frozen Bok Choy using a fork. Repeat this cooking process twice more.
Freeze the final batch overnight. Transfer the frozen Bok Choy to a resealable plastic bag and store it in the freezer when ready to use.
5 Tips when Freezing Bok Choy
1) Try to cut the Bok Choy into smaller pieces to cook faster.
2) Keep the Bok Choy well-drained by rinsing it under excess cold water after cutting it.
3) Don’t wash the Bok Choy until you’re ready to cook it.
4) Store the Bok Choy in freezer bags or containers to store frozen food.
5) To prevent the Bok Choy from getting soggy, cover it with a thin layer of Asian vegetable oil.
Bok Choy Recipes
Here are six delicious recipes that call for frozen Bok Choy:
1) Stir-Fry – This recipe calls for sliced frozen Bok Choy. Tossed in sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Then, sautéed in a wok.
2) Salad – This salad combines frozen Bok Choy with shredded carrots, red bell pepper, and lime juice. You can serve it over a bed of lettuce.
3) Soup – This soup uses frozen Bok Choy and chicken broth. It’s seasoned with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
4) Pasta – This pasta dish includes diced frozen Bok Choy mixed with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. You can top it with mozzarella cheese.
5) Sandwich – This features grilled pork tenderloin and fresh basil leaves sandwiched. On top of each slice, there’s a generous amount of creamy goat cheese.
6) Dessert – This dessert contains mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, and frozen Bok Choy. There’s a light whipped cream topping on top.
5 Tips For Cooking Fresh Bok Choy
You should know several tips before you start cooking fresh Bok Choy.
- First, remember that Bok Choy has a concise shelf life. Once it starts wilting, it’s best to eat it right away.
- Second, don’t rinse Bok Choy under boiling temperature water. Instead, pat it dry with a clean towel.
- Third, make sure that you buy fresh Bok Choy. Avoid buying wash Bok Choy that looks old or wilted.
- Fourth, if you want to keep fresh Bok Choy longer than one week, wrap it in baking paper and place it in the refrigerator.
- Fifth, you can also freeze fresh Bok Choy. Chop it up and then freeze it in a container. You can use frozen Bok Choy’s in about any recipe.
Final Thoughts
Bok Choy is a great ingredient to incorporate into your healthy veggie. Freezing leftover Bok Choy removes much of the excess water drip present in the vegetable. And the bitter flavor remains intact.
Make sure the cooked vegetables are immersed in a pot of water and refrigerated before freezing.
