How To Freeze Cauliflower

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Learn how to freeze cauliflower in just a few simple steps. You’ll see how to cut cauliflower, how to blanch cauliflower, then how to freeze it individually for ease of use later.

Frozen cauliflower can be served plain, seasoned or incorporated into a recipe. With our step-by-step method, you’ll be set to prep this vegetable any night of the week. It’ll become a freezer stable in no time!

You can also learn How To Freeze Peaches, How To Freeze Strawberries and How to Freeze Asparagus to keep a variety of produce in your freezer year-round.

cauliflower florets on parchment lined baking sheet

Table of Contents

Freezing Cauliflower

Have you ever bought a cauliflower with the intent to cook immediately to then find a wasted vegetable in the fridge weeks later? We know we aren’t the only one!

While we are big advocates of meal prep, we also know life happens and meal plans don’t always go as planned.

This is just one reason why we created step-by-step instructions to show you how to freeze cauliflower florets. The next time your weekly plans change, you can simply wash, cut and freeze for later use. Say goodbye to food waste with this how-to guide!

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written directions or printable recipe card below.

whole cauliflower on cutting board with knife

Equipment

large pot with a lid
slotted spoon
large bowl filled with ice and water
baking pan lined with parchment paper
gallon sized ziplock freezer bag

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Blanch Cauliflower

Fill the pan with water, cover, and bring it to a boil.

Prep the cauliflower

Wondering how to cut up cauliflower? Start by rinsing the cauliflower under running water. Break off the bottom leaves. Then, use a knife to trim the broccoli florets from the stem.

If the florets are too large use your hands to break them into smaller pieces. You want each floret to be roughly the same size to help the vegetable cook evenly.

Blanch the cauliflower

Add the cauliflower to the boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes.

Make sure to have the large bowl ready filled with ice and water. Remove the cauliflower from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and place it directly into the ice bath until it’s completely cooled.

Drain the cauliflower and freeze

Drain the cauliflower and pat dry with paper towel. Spread onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Freeze

Freeze for 1-2 hours, then place the cauliflower florets into the ziplock bag. Place back into the freezer for later use.

Frozen Cauliflower Recipes

Frozen cauliflower is great to keep as a freezer staple to use throughout the year as cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, an ingredient in soups, casseroles or served on the side of any main entree.

We often turn to our Roasted Frozen Cauliflower as a side dish in the summer months before making Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Soup and Broccoli Cauliflower Soup as the weather cools.

You can also opt to keep things super simple by steaming the frozen cauliflower in the microwave then serving plain or topped with spices, herbs or cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store cauliflower?

Fresh cauliflower florets can be stored in the fridge or in the freezer once blanched.

How long does cauliflower last in the fridge?

Fresh cauliflower lasts up to 1 week in the fridge. If nearing the end of the week, follow these steps to blanch and freeze to prevent food waste.

How to reheat frozen cauliflower?

Frozen cauliflower can be reheated by roasting in the oven, steaming in the microwave or sauteing on the stovetop until hot. Keep in mind that the longer it is reheated, the softer it will become.

Can you freeze without blanching?

Yes, blanching isn’t necessary. However, it is highly recommended as it preserves the quality and nutrients of the vegetable.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

You want the water to be at a rolling boil (lots of bubbles in the pot) before adding the cauliflower florets.
Spreading the florets onto a baking sheet to freeze before placing them in a bag helps to prevent the cauliflower from clumping together.
A slotted spoon is a spoon with holes to allow the water to drain from the vegetables back into the pot. You want the boiling water to stay in the pot, not travel to the ice bath with the florets.

More Frozen Vegetable Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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