How To Freeze Cauliflower: 5 Ways to Use Frozen Cauliflower

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) is a member of the mustard family. Cauliflower is unique among related plants in that the meristem (the white edible cauliflower head) is what most people eat. In related species, like broccoli, kale, and cabbage, people typically eat the leaves or flowers of the plant.

Cauliflower has a generally neutral taste. Many chefs glaze cauliflower florets to add flavor. You can mince these veggies to make cauliflower rice or grind them up to make pizza crust. With the proper approach, steamed and roasted cauliflower has boundless uses. What's more, it is gluten-free and rich in vitamin C and vitamin B-6.

To freeze a fresh head of cauliflower—or even bagged cauliflower florets—you will need a cutting board, a sharp knife, a large pot for boiling water, a colander, a large bowl for an ice bath, a baking sheet, and freezer bags.

1. 1. Wash your head of cauliflower. Assuming you are beginning with a head of cauliflower you bought at the grocery store or farmers market, you must wash it to rinse away any pesticides, dirt, and small insects.
2. 2. Cut the cauliflower. Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, cut the head of cauliflower into quarters. Then use either the knife or your hands to break the vegetable into smaller cauliflower florets.
3. 3. Prepare to blanch the cauliflower. While it is possible to freeze cauliflower without blanching, the blanching process can kill bacteria, stave off freezer burn, and preserve the flavor for many months.
4. 4. Blanch the cauliflower in boiling water. Place your cauliflower florets in boiling water for one to two minutes. Then pour the pot into a colander in the sink and let it drain.
5. 5. Transfer the cauliflower to an ice bath. Place the freshly drained cauliflower into a bowl of ice water. Leave it in there for two minutes, and then pour the mixture back into the colander and let it drain.
6. 6. Arrange the blanched cauliflower on a baking sheet. Pat off each individual floret and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
7. 7. Pre-freeze the cauliflower. Place your loaded baking sheet into the freezer for approximately two hours. This creates individually frozen florets that will not stick together over the long term.
8. 8. Transfer the cauliflower to freezer bags for long-term storage. Take your mostly frozen florets and place them into freezer bags that you can tuck away into your freezer for future use. Blanched cauliflower will retain its flavor for many months in the freezer.

You can defrost frozen cauliflower in a large pot of water. Use cold water for best results. You can then use your newly thawed veggies in any number of cauliflower recipes.

1. 1. Cauliflower rice: You can make batches of cauliflower rice by finely mincing cauliflower. This is a low-carb alternative to regular rice. You can also freeze cauliflower rice for future use.
2. 2. Cauliflower soup: You can use your food processor to make cauliflower soup or turn cauliflower and water into a hearty liquid for stews.
3. 3. Casseroles: Many cauliflower recipes involve baking small florets into casseroles. Consult individual recipes for cooking times and details on the cooking process.
4. 4. Roasted as a side dish: Roasted cauliflower makes a delicious appetizer or side dish. It also heartily accepts a glaze for extra flavor.
5. 5. Cauliflower pizza dough: Experiment with cauliflower pizza crusts as an alternative to wheat flour crust.

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