How To Freeze Eggplant: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Freeze Eggplant PDF download Download Article Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Preparing the Eggplant
    • |
  • Blanching the Eggplant
    • |
  • Freezing the Eggplant
    • |
  • Alternative Methods
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 388,189 times.

Eggplant can be frozen if you intend to cook it after thawing it out. To freeze eggplant, you need to clean it, cut it into slices, and blanch it before placing it in the freezer. Alternatively, you can also freeze baked eggplant or slices of eggplant Parmesan. This article will guide you through the process for freezing eggplant, using each of these methods.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Preparing the Eggplant

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  1. Step 1 Select a fresh eggplant. 1 Select a fresh eggplant. The fresher an eggplant is, the better it will hold up after being frozen.
    • Any eggplant you freeze should be ripe and the seeds should not yet be fully mature. Look for eggplants that have a uniformly dark hue.
    • Do not use eggplants that have soft spots or mismatched patches of color.
    • Traditional black varieties tend to break down less in the freezer than purple Chinese and Thai varieties, but all types can technically be frozen for later use. Just be aware of the fact that the flesh will become softer after being frozen, but this is not usually an issue if you plan on cooking the eggplant after thawing it.
    • If you are unable to freeze the eggplant immediately, store it in the refrigerator until you are ready. The sooner you can freeze an eggplant after harvesting it, though, the better.
  2. Step 2 Wash the eggplant. 2 Wash the eggplant. Rinse the eggplant under cold running water, scrubbing it gently with your fingers to remove dirt and residue.
    • If you harvested the eggplant from your own garden and have a hard time removing the dirt, you may scrub it gently with a vegetable brush.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 3 Cut the eggplant into slices. The eggplant should be separated into 1/3-inch (8.5-mm) thick skinless slices.[1]
    • Use a sharp knife to cut off 1/4-inch (6.35-mm) from the top and bottom of the eggplant.
    • Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. Stand the eggplant on one of its newly cut flat ends and peel the vegetable from top to bottom.
    • Use a sharp knife to cut the remaining eggplant into slices that measure about 1/3-inch (8.5-mm) each.
    • Work quickly, and only cut as much eggplant as you are able to blanch at a time. Cut eggplant will begin to discolor after 30 minutes.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

Blanching the Eggplant

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 1 Boil water in a large stockpot. Roughly 2/3 of the pot should be filled with water. Set it to boiling on the stove over high heat.
    • Give the water ample time to reach a rolling boil.
    • Make sure that your pot is large enough to fit all the eggplant you've already cut up. You can blanch the eggplant in batches if you do not have any stockpots large enough to fit all your eggplants, but you should only cut up as much eggplant at a time as you can blanch in one batch.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 2 Add lemon juice to the boiling water. Pour 1/2 cup (125 ml) of lemon juice into the water for every 1 gallon (4 liters) of water used.[2]
    • The lemon juice prevents the eggplant from discoloring and does not dramatically affect the taste of the eggplant.[3]
  3. Step 3 Prepare a large bowl of ice water. 3 Prepare a large bowl of ice water. The bowl of water should be about as large as the stockpot used to blanch the eggplants.
    • Use a tray or more of ice to make sure that the water is plenty cold.
    • Make sure that the cold water is ready before you begin blanching the eggplant.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 4 Blanch the eggplant. Place the eggplant slices in the boiling water and blanch them for 4 minutes.[4]
    • Blanching destroys enzymes in the eggplant that cause the vegetable to break down over time. If you do not blanch the eggplant, it will begin losing nutritional value, color, and flavor within a month, even if you freeze it.
    • You can safely use the same water to blanch multiple batches of eggplant up to five times. You may need to add more water and lemon juice as the water level dips, however.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 5 Quickly transfer the eggplant to the ice water. As soon as the eggplant has been blanched, use a slotted spoon to remove the slices from the boiling water and dunk them into the ice water.
    • By rapidly cooling the eggplant, you stop the cooking process.
    • Allow the eggplant slices to sit in the ice water 4 to 5 minutes or until cold to the touch.
    • Add more ice and water to the bowl as necessary to maintain the right temperature.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 6 Drain the eggplant slices. Remove them from the ice water with a slotted spoon and drain them in a colander or on several layers of clean paper towels.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

Freezing the Eggplant

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 1 Place the eggplant slices in a freezer-safe container. You can either use a freezer-safe plastic resealable bag or a freezer-safe plastic container.
    • If packing the eggplant in freezer-safe plastic bags, remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn. Vacuum sealed bags are the best option, but you can still use standard resealable plastic bags as long as they are approved for freezer use.
    • If packing the eggplant in freezer-safe plastic containers, leave at least 1/2-inch (1.27-cm) empty headspace at the top of the container. This extra space allows the eggplant room to expand as it freezes.[5]
    • Glass containers are not recommended for freezer use.
    • Label the bag or container with the current date so that you will know, in the future, how long your batch of eggplant has been sitting in the freezer.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 2 Separate slices with plastic wrap or freezer wrap, if desired.[6] If you plan on using the eggplant slices separately in the future, you should layer well-drained slices with alternating layers of plastic wrap or freezer paper.
    • This step is only optional, but if you do not take this precaution, the slices will stick together upon freezing.
  3. Step 3 Freeze until ready to use. 3 Freeze until ready to use. Typically, frozen eggplant stays good for about 9 months.
    • Vacuum-sealed eggplant that is deep frozen will retain its quality for about 14 months.
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Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Alternative Methods

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  1. Step 1 Bake the eggplant before freezing it. 1 Bake the eggplant before freezing it. Another way to freeze eggplant is in pre-cooked form.[7]
    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Prepare a shallow baking sheet by covering it with aluminum foil.
    • Use a fork to prick the eggplant multiple times. Pricking the eggplant prevents pressure from building up inside of it as it bakes. The more holes you create, the safer it will be.
    • Roast the eggplant 30 to 60 minutes. The eggplant is ready once it begins to collapse inside the oven. Smaller eggplants will only take 30 minutes, but larger ones may take up to an hour.
    • Scoop out the flesh. When the eggplant is cool to the touch, cut it open lengthwise using a knife. Use a metal spoon to dig out the flesh.
    • Pack the flesh into airtight containers. Leave 1/2-inch (1.27-cm) headspace in each container.
    • Freeze up to 12 months.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Eggplant 2 Prepare slices for eggplant Parmesan. If you plan on using the eggplant for eggplant Parmesan, you can coat the eggplant slices in breadcrumbs and freeze without baking it.
    • Wash and slice the eggplant as you would if freezing plain, blanched slices.
    • Dip each slice in milk, beaten egg, or frying batter.
    • Coat the slices in a mixture of seasoned bread crumbs. The bread crumbs can be seasoned with Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese, or left as plain, dry bread crumbs.
    • Wrap the slices in wax paper. Instead of merely layering the slices between pieces of plastic wrap, make sure that each breaded slice is completely wrapped in its own sheet of wax paper.
    • Freeze up to 6 months.
    • To use, thaw the slices in the refrigerator and bake or fry them as you usually would.
    3. Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/this-is-the-best-way-to-freeze-eggplant-233591
  2. ↑ http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/eggplant.html
  3. ↑ https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/537/General-Cooking-Tips-for-Peppers-Eggplant-and-Okra/
  4. ↑ https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/eggplant.html
  5. ↑ https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/eggplant.html
  6. ↑ https://www.pickyourown.org/freezingeggplant.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/07/the-crisper-whisperer-how-to-handle-eggplant-overload-caponata-recipe.html

Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I use citric acid instead of lemon juice to prepare eggplant? Community Answer Community Answer Yes you can, but keep in mind you will have a different flavor. Lime and orange juice are really good choices. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 14 Helpful 22
  • Question Can I freeze eggplant without cooking it? Community Answer Community Answer All vegetables require some amount of cooking for the best results, usually blanching. This allows for separation of its moisture from its tissue, which diminishes possibility of a runny or watery dish. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 35
  • Question Can you bread eggplant after it has been frozen? Community Answer Community Answer No, the cells loose their life once you freeze. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 34 Helpful 49
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Things You'll Need

  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Vegetable brush
  • Large stockpot
  • Large bowl
  • Freezer-safe container or bag
  • Plastic wrap or freezer wrap
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Fork
  • Oven mitts
  • Wax paper

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About This Article

Marrow Private Chefs Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 388,189 times. 29 votes - 93% Co-authors: 14 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 388,189 Categories: Featured Articles | Freezing Food Article SummaryX

To freeze eggplant, start by cutting it into slices. Then, bring a pot of water and lemon juice to a boil, and add the eggplant to the pot. Blanch the eggplant for 4 minutes, then transfer it directly to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After the slices have been in the water for 5 minutes, drain them on paper towels. Then, place the slices in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 9 months. If you plan to use the slices separately, divide them up with layers of plastic wrap so they don't stick together. To learn how to freeze eggplant parmesan slices, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Jo Perry

    Jo Perry

    Nov 7, 2016

    "Since it has been a long time since I blanched any time of vegetables, it has reminded me of how to freeze delicate..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Marrow Private Chefs Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Co-authors: 14 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 388,189 93% of readers found this article helpful. 29 votes - 93% Click a star to add your vote Jo Perry

Jo Perry

Nov 7, 2016

"Since it has been a long time since I blanched any time of vegetables, it has reminded me of how to freeze delicate..." more B. Wood

B. Wood

Aug 27, 2016

"As I live on my own I end up throwing a lot of food away. However, I do have a large freezer and am looking for..." more Kamaria Jackson

Kamaria Jackson

Mar 10, 2017

"Since I've never cooked eggplant before freezing, it was a complete mystery. I found this article to be both..." more E. Marshall

E. Marshall

Jul 17, 2017

"All of it helped. I was a complete stranger to preserving eggplant. With my first garden I am happily over run with..." more Carol Detter

Carol Detter

Sep 6, 2016

"We love eggplant and want to enjoy it through the winter. Freezing it, we can enjoy it all winter." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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