Dandelion greens are a wonderful thing. They can be used in salads, soups, and even as a side dish. You can also use them to make dandelion coffee or tea.
But what do you do when you have extra? It’s not like you’re going to eat them all at once. And storing them for too long might make them go bad.
Can You Freeze Dandelion Greens?
Yes, you can freeze dandelion greens. To ensure that they stay fresh, you’ll need to blanch them first. This will prevent the leafy greens from losing their texture and nutrients. Properly stored in a freezer bag or an airtight container, dandelion greens will last for up to 12 months in the freezer.
How To Freeze Dandelion Greens
Freezing dandelion greens is simple and doesn’t take a lot of time. It’s important that you blanch the leafy greens first. If not, they will not last very long in the freezer.
Step 1: Wash your dandelion greens thoroughly in cold water. Make sure there are no bugs or dirt trapped in there!
Step 2: Blanch the leaves by putting them into boiling water for one minute, then immediately remove them and place them into an ice bath so they stop cooking and retain their bright green color (this step isn’t necessary if you plan on using the dandelion greens right away).
Step 3: Dry off any excess water with a paper towel or let it drain naturally while sitting on a plate covered with paper towels for 15 minutes or so (again, this is optional since they will dry out eventually).
Step 4: Place the dandelion greens in a freezer bag or an airtight container. Squeeze out the air from the bag if you’re using freezer bags. For an airtight container, make sure the lid doesn’t have any leaks before sealing it tight.
Step 5: Place the dandelion greens in the freezer for storage.
How Long Do Dandelion Greens Last In the Freezer?
Dandelion greens will last for 1 year in the freezer when stored properly. This means that they should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap before being placed inside a freezer bag or container.
After about 1 year, dandelion greens will start to deteriorate in quality. If you decide to use them after this time, you’ll notice that the leaves don’t have many flavors to them anymore. Also, there won’t be much nutrition left in the leaves.
How To Defrost Dandelion Greens
How you defrost your greens depends on the method you used to freeze them:
If you froze the greens in a bag, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight. The next day they will be ready to eat.
If you froze dandelion greens by cutting or tearing them up into pieces and placing them in a freezer-safe container (tossing with a little olive oil first), remove the container from the fridge and let it sit for about 15 minutes before using—the residual water from within the vegetable will heat up and help thaw everything more quickly.
Can You Refreeze Dandelion Greens?
Refreezing dandelion greens is something to avoid because it can make them soggy and less flavorful. But if you have leftover cooked dandelion greens that you want to use when fresh ones aren’t available or if it’s too late in the season for fresh ones, then freezing them might work for you.
Do Dandelion Greens Freeze Well?
Dandelion greens freeze well and can be used in soups and stews during winter.
They are also a good alternative to spinach or kale when you want to add more greens to your diet without having to buy fresh produce every week.
If you’re using fresh dandelion greens, just make sure to blanch them first before freezing them. This will keep the leaves fresh for a long time in the freezer.
What Can You Do With Frozen Dandelion Greens?
You can use frozen dandelion greens in soups and stews, as a side dish, or even in smoothies. They’re also great for making pesto, which will thaw quickly once you add it to pasta or pizza.
Some people like to add frozen dandelion greens directly to soups and stews without first defrosting them.
Others prefer giving the greens a quick rinse under running water before adding them to the pot or skillet. This step won’t wash away any nutrients that have been locked in by freezing them (you won’t lose any nutrition when freezing food), but it does ensure that there aren’t any bugs clinging on from the field where they were picked!
Conclusion
Dandelion greens are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal. They’re also easy to freeze, which makes them perfect for storing in your freezer for later use. As long as you follow my advice on freezing dandelion greens correctly, you can rest assured that they will taste just as good when they come out of the freezer as when they went in.
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
