How to freeze cucumbers and 5 recipes! [Explanation with photos! ]

Cucumbers are characterized by their fresh green color.

There are many dishes that take advantage of the freshness of cucumbers, such as salads and aemono dishes.

However, on the other hand, there is an impression that it is not suitable for long-term storage.

It's fine when you first buy it, but after 3 or 4 days it starts to sag...I think many people have experienced this.

However, cucumbers can actually be stored for a long time by freezing them.

You can't put an entire cucumber in the freezer, but with some extra effort, you can preserve it for a long time.

This time we will introduce how to freeze cucumbers and some easy recipes using frozen cucumbers!

Advantages of freezing cucumbers

Can reduce cooking time

For example, if you mix thinly sliced meat with salt and vinegar and freeze it, you can make aemono by just thawing it and mixing it with other ingredients.

If you have frozen cucumbers, you can make one lunch box on a busy morning.

It is budget-friendly because you can buy in bulk.

Isn't this the biggest advantage of freezing food?

Even though vegetables can be expensive when purchased individually, you can save money by buying them in bulk, and you can even save yourself the trouble of going shopping.

If you can do a little bit of freezing, you can save time and money.

How to freeze cucumbers

We will show you when to prepare with salt and when to prepare with vinegar.

The storage period and thawing method are the same for both methods. Please try different uses for cucumbers.

When preparing with salt

1) Cut it according to the purpose of cooking.

2) Place it in a freezer bag and sprinkle with a little salt.

3) Mix the whole bag, remove the water and air, seal it, and freeze.

When preparing with vinegar

1) Cut it according to the purpose of cooking.

2) Place in a freezer bag and add vinegar (*).

3) Mix the whole bag, remove the water and air, seal it, and freeze.

How to thaw cucumbers and storage period

How to thaw frozen cucumbers

Frozen cucumbers can be thawed at room temperature or in the refrigerator before being used for cooking.

Thawed cucumbers contain water, so squeeze out the water with your hands before cooking.

Storage period of frozen cucumbers

If you freeze cucumbers, please use them within 2 to 3 weeks.

Once thawed, food cannot be refrozen, so please use it as soon as possible after thawing.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

A nutritionist explains! About the nutrition of cucumbers

cucumber nutrition
Cucumbers are mostly water, containing 95.0g/100g of water. Cucumbers are said to be so nutritious that they are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most nutritious vegetable, but they do contain beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.

These have anti-fatigue and diuretic effects, and are effective in relieving swelling.

Cucumbers have anti-cancer properties
The stem of a cucumber contains a compound called cucurbitacin, which is responsible for the bitter taste. Cucurbitacin is said to have anticancer effects, and also helps secrete saliva and gastric juices.

However, cucurbitacin can cause poisoning if taken in large quantities, so be careful if you notice a strong bitter taste.

Increase your nutrition with pickled rice bran pickles
Cucumbers are said to have no nutritional value, but their nutritional value can be increased by cooking them. The bran used for pickled rice is rich in vitamin B₁, and also contains vitamin C and potassium.

Pickling cucumbers increases these ingredients and increases their nutritional value.

How to choose fresh cucumbers
1. Uniform thickness
2.Dark and shiny
3.The cut side is fresh and the warts are firm.

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, she also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at DayBreak Co., Ltd., she oversees various food freezing research and writing informative content about food. Her hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

5 easy recipes using frozen cucumbers

Japanese-style marinade with cucumber and cabbage

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/6786975

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍きゅうり 1/2本
・キャベツ 外側2枚
・大根おろし 大さじ1
味付け用
・ポン酢 大さじ2
・オリーブオイル 小さじ1
・削りかつお 少量

<How to make>
1) Thinly slice the cucumber and thaw it before use. Cut the cabbage into small pieces.
2) Add the seasoning ingredients to the cucumber, cabbage, and grated daikon radish and mix well.

This recipe is easy to make and easy to digest even when you come home late at night.

Chicken fillet and cucumber with plum dressing

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/786865

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍きゅうり 1本
・鶏ささみ 3本
・梅干し 3個
・塩しょうゆ 少々

<How to make>
1) Slice the cucumber thinly and sprinkle with salt.
2) Boil the chicken fillet with the strings removed, drain the water, and tear it into bite-sized pieces.
3) Toss the cucumber and chicken fillet with the seeds removed and finely torn pickled plums.
4) Finally, add an appropriate amount of soy sauce and it's done.

It's a quick and easy dish that's low in calories.

Salted lettuce and cucumber

Source: https://ienominooshinagaki.livedoor.blog/archives/5622751.html

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍きゅうり 1本
・レタス 2枚
・わかめ 5g
・塩 小さじ1/2
・しょうゆ 少々

<How to make>
1) Use thinly sliced cucumbers, cut lettuce into bite-sized pieces, and rehydrate wakame in water and cut into small pieces.
2) Sprinkle salt on each cucumber and lettuce and squeeze out the water.
3) Place cucumber, lettuce, and wakame in a bowl and mix well.
4) Place in a bowl and sprinkle with soy sauce to complete.

It's the perfect dish when you want something to refresh your palate.

Easy namul made with cucumbers

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4238863

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍きゅうり 2本
・おろしにんにく 小さじ1
・黒こしょう 適量
・いりごま 適量

<How to make>
1) Slice the cucumber diagonally and sprinkle with salt.
2) Add black pepper, garlic, and roasted sesame seeds to the cucumber, mix well, and it's done.

For grated garlic, it is convenient to use tubed garlic as it saves you the trouble of grating it.

Spicy stir-fried pork with rice

Source: https://www.futari-gohan.jp/cucumbers-pork-itame/

☑材料
・豚バラ肉 100g
・きゅうり 2本
・酒 大さじ1
・しょうゆ 小さじ1.5
・酢 小さじ2
・みにん 大さじ2
・鶏がらスープ素 小さじ1
・おろししょうが 適量
・ごま油 少々

<How to make>
1) Slice the cucumber diagonally, cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, and season with salt and pepper.
2) Stir-fry the pork. When browned, add cucumber and stir-fry.
3) When the cucumbers become soft, add seasonings such as sake soy sauce.
4) Finally, add sesame oil and it's done.

If you want a spicy ingredient, add chili peppers.

Conclusion

How was that?

Cucumbers are synonymous with summer food.

Actually, it would be easier if you could freeze them raw, but cucumbers are a vegetable that is mostly made of water, so if you freeze them that way, the texture will be really bad.

Therefore, please prepare properly with salt and vinegar. This way, you can enjoy your cucumbers for a longer period of time than you would normally store them.

If you know this method, you will be able to deal with situations like ``My parents sent me a bunch of cucumbers!'', so please try using it.

>> Click here for how to freeze meat

>> Click here for how to freeze fish

>> Click here for other ways to freeze vegetables