If you like to make quinoa in big quantities to have them ready to eat anytime you and it is now wondering whether you can freeze it. This article is for you.
Quinoa is a popular grain, consumed by many civilizations for many centuries. This ingredient is always added in diets since it is rich in proteins, nutrients, and vitamins.
But it is not that easy to find quinoa in any grocery stores or supermarkets and it is normally sold in big quantities. So, when you find it available it is only fair to cook it in bulks and freeze some for later so it does not get bad and you can have it anytime you want.
If you follow the tips we will give you bellow and store this grain correctly. It will taste delicious and fresh even after being frozen and defrosted.
How to freeze quinoa
If you purchased the quinoa did not cooked it yet and does not have the intention to consume it right now.
Keep the quinoa uncooked and leave it completely dry in the closed package. It will last for many months or even years.
But if you already opened the original quinoa package it came with. Then you may need to transfer it to an airtight compartment and store it completely dry. Now if the cooked quinoa is the one you are looking for to increase the shelf-life. Follow the steps below.
Cook the quinoa first
It is important to cook the quinoa before freezing it. So, the first step of the process is cooking. In a large saucepan add two parts of water to each part of quinoa. Let the water boil, lower the heat from the stove and cover the pan.
Allow the quinoa and the water simmering for around 20 minutes until all the water from pan got absorbed by the quinoa. Then, you can use a fork to fluff all cooked quinoa.
Prepare the quinoa to be frozen
After the quinoa is cooked and fluffed, let it cool completely. This process can get faster if you spread all the quinoa in a baking sheet.
When the quinoa is completely cooled, you can separate it in portions in the size of your preference.
Pack and freeze the quinoa
You can use the compartment of your preference here. Just make sure that all the air can get squeezed out of it.
Add the quinoa portions into the airtight compartments and store them in the freezer. The frozen and cooked quinoa will last for 12 months.
It is important not to freeze all cooked quinoa in a single compartment. For it will not be possible to use just smaller portions of it at each time. And keep in mind that after you defrost the quinoa, it should be all consumed afterwards. The freezing process can only be done once.
Write down in the packages the date you cooked and frozen the quinoa. So you can keep track of the time.
Be careful with what you store next to the quinoa bags. Since quinoa has a high absorption power. It is likely that it will absorb other ingredients taste and smell in the fridge.
How to defrost frozen quinoa
Defrosting the frozen quinoa is simpler than freezing it in the first place.
You can take the portion you will need from the freezer. Let it defrost completely in the fridge for around 10 hours or let it sit in room temperature for 4 to 5 hours. Until it is defrosted.
Another easy way is to unpack the portion of the frozen quinoa you will use. Put it in a glass bowl and take to the microwave for a few minutes. When reheating it in the microwave put a glass of water together to avoid the quinoa from getting dry.
Notice that it may be hard to take the quinoa out from the frozen plastic bags. So you will probably need to cut it with the help of a knife or scissors.
Ultimate guide for the quinoa shelf-life
The uncooked and raw quinoa has a big shelf-life and can last from 12 months up to 3 years. It all depends in the package and storage conditions, and when the expiration date is. Keep an eye in the texture, color and smell. If you notice that something is out of place then do not consume it.
The cooked quinoa can be stored in the freezer for around 5 days. But it also depends on how you stored it.
The cooked and frozen quinoa will last for around 12 months. But also pay close attention the frozen quinoa stored in your freezer. If you notice any odd color, odor, bugs, or insects, do not consume it!
Conclusion
Quinoa is a super grain – and sometimes even called “mother of all grains”. Since it is super easy to prepare, has a huge versatility and is filled with nutrients and vitamins. Another great point for quinoa is that it is gluten free. So the ones allergic to it can add the grain in their diets without worrying.
Quinoa can be hard to find in any grocery stores or supermarkets. And when you do find them, they are usually sold in big quantities. So that is why most people ask themselves if you can freeze quinoa.
As seen in the article. You can store the uncooked quinoa in dry and safe place for 3 years without a problem. But the cooked quinoa has a short shelf-life and can only be kept in the fridge for about a week. So, the freezing process is the best way to have the quinoa always ready to be consumed. And increase its shelf-life up to 13 months.
Defrosting the quinoa can be even easier than freezing them in the first place. Let us know if you used any of the tips and methods mentioned above in the article. And how you normally use the cooked quinoa.
