Introducing the method and recipe for freezing Chinese cabbage [Explanation with photos]

``I bought some Chinese cabbage for the hot pot, but I couldn't use it all and ended up with some left over.''
"I can't buy it because I can't eat it if it's not cut into pieces and I can't eat it all."
Have you ever experienced something like this?

I think there are many cases where you can't buy just the right amount of Chinese cabbage because each ball is too big, or you end up spoiling the cabbage because you can't eat it all as you planned when you suddenly go out.

Freezing can solve this problem. Freezing Chinese cabbage not only preserves it for a long time, but also reduces cooking time.

This site, which has introduced methods for freezing about 200 types of foods, explains how to freeze Chinese cabbage with photos. Furthermore, we will also introduce recipes using frozen Chinese cabbage, so you will be able to do everything from freezing Chinese cabbage to eating it.

Please read till the end so that you can eat Chinese cabbage deliciously without wasting any waste.

Advantages of freezing Chinese cabbage

As I mentioned at the beginning, Chinese cabbage can be frozen. In fact, freezing has many benefits. First, let's talk about the benefits of freezing Chinese cabbage.

Free up space in the vegetable drawer

First, by freezing Chinese cabbage, which tends to take up a lot of space, you can free up space in your vegetable drawer. You can charge other vegetables.

can last for a long time

Also, if you freeze it, it will last much longer than normal. It can be kept for up to a month without losing flavor.

Easy to use and reduces cooking time

Additionally, frozen Chinese cabbage allows the flavors to soak in more easily, reducing cooking time.

The core part, which is usually difficult to boil, is also easy to boil. You can also make pickled vegetables using a commercially available liquid by simply soaking them in the pickled base while still frozen.

　
There are many benefits to freezing Chinese cabbage in this way. So how should you actually freeze it? Next, I will explain how to freeze Chinese cabbage.

Freezing storage method

Here I will explain how to freeze Chinese cabbage. There are two main ways to freeze Chinese cabbage. The difference is whether you freeze it raw or boil it and then freeze it. Let's take a look at them one by one.

How to safely preserve raw food

1.Chinese cabbage can be frozen even if it is raw. Peel off each Chinese cabbage leaf and wash thoroughly under running water.

2. Remove the moisture and cut into rough pieces. Put it in a freezer bag, squeeze out all the air, and then put it in the freezer.

How to store after boiling

1. Peel off the Chinese cabbage leaves one by one and wash them thoroughly under running water. Boil for about 45 seconds in a pot with plenty of hot water. Pull it out quickly without overcooking it.

2. Place in a colander, cool with water, remove moisture, then roughly chop. Put it in a freezer bag, squeeze out all the air, and then put it in the freezer.

When I actually tested it, I found that when I boiled it and then froze it, it was not in very good condition as it felt a bit runny even when I pulled it out quickly. There is almost no difference between the two methods except for the boiling process, so it is better to freeze the raw meat.

So, how do you thaw frozen Chinese cabbage and how long can you store it? From here, we will introduce how to thaw Chinese cabbage and how long it can be stored, as well as nutritional comments from a nutritionist.

Thawing method and storage period

How to thaw Chinese cabbage

To thaw frozen Chinese cabbage, use it for cooking while frozen, or heat it in the microwave.

For example, miso soup and stews are frozen and put into a pot. If adding frozen Chinese cabbage to stir-fry dishes may cause oil to splatter, which can be dangerous, defrost it briefly in the microwave before using.

For instant pickles, it is very easy and convenient to soak frozen pickles in a commercially available pickle solution, as they will soften and be ready in a short time.

Storage period of Chinese cabbage

The shelf life of frozen Chinese cabbage is approximately one month. You can enjoy it deliciously for a long time. If you don't care about the taste, you can store it for 2 to 3 months, but I don't really recommend it.

There is a difference between the expiration date and the expiration date, but it is best to eat vegetables while they are still delicious.

A nutritionist explains! About nutrition

お鍋には欠かせない白菜は95％が水分でできています。決して栄養価が高いわけではありませんが、ビタミンC、カリウム、カルシウム、マグネシウムなどのミネラル類や食物繊維などバランス良く含まれています。しかし、加熱する事によって、水溶性の栄養素が外へ出て行ってしまうので、スープまでしっかり飲むようにしましょう。お鍋のシメはおじやがおススメです！また、白菜のお漬物やサラダとして食べるのもおススメ☝

白菜を選ぶ5つのコツ
☑ズッシリと重みがある
☑一番外側の葉が濃い緑をしていて、黄ばみがなく巻きがしっかりしている☑白菜の白い部分がかたく、みずみずしさとツヤがある
☑カットされている物は、切り口がみずみずしい物を選び、茶色く変色していたり　乾いている物は避ける
☑カット面は葉と葉の間が詰まっていて断面が平らなもの

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, he also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at Daybreak Co., Ltd., he oversees various food freezing experiments while disseminating food freezing information. My hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

>> Click here for other ways to freeze vegetables

5 easy recipes using frozen Chinese cabbage

So far, we have explained in detail how to freeze and thaw Chinese cabbage. So how can you actually use frozen Chinese cabbage? We will introduce 5 carefully selected recipes using frozen Chinese cabbage.

Chinese cabbage and pork mille-feuille hotpot

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/4245116

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍白菜1/4株分
・豚バラ肉300グラム
・えのきだけ1袋
・鶏がらスープの素大さじ２

<How to make>
1) Defrost the frozen Chinese cabbage by heating it in the microwave.
2) Place the pork belly between the Chinese cabbage like a mille-feuille. Cut it into pieces and place them in a pot.
3) Cut the enoki mushrooms and place them in the gap.
4) Add the chicken stock, heat the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.

This is a very popular hot pot dish. This is a classic hot pot that is especially indispensable in winter.

Chinese cabbage cream stew

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4237810

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍白菜1/4株分
・鶏肉120グラム
・好みのお野菜（ブロッコリー、にんじん、じゃがいも、たまねぎなど）適量
・小麦粉大さじ２
・バター適量
・牛乳400ミリリットル
・生クリーム大さじ２
・塩
・こしょう

<How to make>
1) Cut each ingredient into desired sizes.
2) If you cut it into larger pieces, it will look better.
3) Heat a pot, add butter, frozen Chinese cabbage, chicken, and your favorite vegetables and simmer.
4) When it becomes soft, add milk and fresh cream.
5) Thicken with flour and season with salt and pepper.
6) Pour into a bowl and it's done.

If you are creative with the ingredients, you can make a gorgeous stew. It's also wonderful to serve with rice and make stew rice.

Chinese cabbage coleslaw

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/4225494

☑材料
・冷凍白菜1/4株分
・ハム適量
・コーン缶1個
・マヨネーズ適量
・塩

<How to make>
1) Defrost the frozen Chinese cabbage by heating it in the microwave.
2) Shred the thawed Chinese cabbage and ham and sprinkle with salt.
3) Remove the corn from the corn can.
4) Squeeze the Chinese cabbage and ham to remove moisture.
5) Add corn and mayonnaise and mix well.
6) Pour into a bowl and it's done.

You can eat it as is, but you can also make it into a sandwich by sandwiching it between bread.

Stir-fried Chinese cabbage

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/4226659

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍白菜1/4株分
・鶏肉120グラム
・にんじん適量
・ピーマン適量
・中華だしの素大さじ１
・しょうゆ適量
・バター適量
・塩
・こしょう

<How to make>
1) Defrost the frozen Chinese cabbage by gently heating it in the microwave.
2) Cut the chicken and vegetables into desired sizes.
3) Heat oil in a frying pan and stir-fry all ingredients.
4) Season with Chinese soup base and soy sauce. Finally, adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
5) Pour into a bowl and it's done.

It's a quick dish that you can make with whatever you have in the fridge.

Chinese cabbage pickles

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/4050772

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍白菜1/4株分
・粗塩18グラム
・だし昆布6グラム

<How to make>
1) Cut the dashi kelp.
2) Place the frozen Chinese cabbage, coarse salt, and dashi kelp in a ziplock bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
3) Place in the refrigerator for about 3 hours.
4) Pour into a bowl and serve.

This is a pickled Chinese cabbage that is super easy to make. You can make it using commercially available liquid, but this is also simple and delicious.

Conclusion

Did you like how to freeze Chinese cabbage or recipes using frozen Chinese cabbage?

Chinese cabbage, which has large balls, may not be cut so it is difficult to buy just the right amount.

If you know how to freeze Chinese cabbage, you can freeze it and eat it deliciously without wasting it.

Why not freeze Chinese cabbage and eat it deliciously without wasting any waste?