A Guide To Freezing And Thawing Gravy Without Sacrificing Taste
Image Credit: Adobe Stock

It's not uncommon if you've been curious about freezing gravy. You won't be the last one. Yes, as long as it's not prepared with milk or cream, is the short answer. There are several reasons why freezing gravy could be beneficial. To start, you're cooking in advance of a big feast to help the day run more smoothly. Or maybe you just created much too much and don't want to waste any. Either way, you ought to be aware of the freezing point of gravy. If yes, how should it be frozen and then thawed for future use?

Like most liquids, gravy freezes rather well. Gravies made with flour (roux) freeze well and keep for up to 4 months. Gravies made with cream or milk will freeze, but when they thaw, they will separate and become runny. Moreover, the freezing period needs to be limited to a month. The problem with gravy is that it doesn't keep well in storage. It separates easily at room temperature and becomes jelly in the refrigerator. Gravy only keeps for a week in the refrigerator, even if you store it immediately away. You have to boil it for safety purposes before consuming it after two days.

How To Refrigerate Gravy?

Will you be using the leftover gravy as quickly as feasible on other leftovers? Gravy is also suitable for refrigeration. The gravy keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days when stored in an airtight container. Just be sure that after cooking, you let it cool for at least two hours. If not, bacteria would definitely start to grow and may cause you to become ill.

How To Freeze Gravy?

Try to use as little oil, milk, or cream as possible while making the gravy if you intend to freeze part of it beforehand, as such components have a tendency to separate during the thawing process. Additionally, you may drastically lower the likelihood of separation by fast-processing the gravy in a food processor or blender before putting it in freezer storage containers.

Before freezing, spoon the gravy into freezer bags, sealed jars, or ice cube trays (if you want to use it in smaller portions later). Gravy thickened with flour can be stored for up to four months in an airtight container without experiencing any discernible deterioration in quality. Overnight in the fridge can thaw frozen gravy. Then, gradually reheat it in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring all the time to avoid lumps. If the gravy looks excessively thick or separates, thin it off with a little water or stock. If you whisk it vigorously and add a little additional liquid, you might be able to bring it back together.

How To Thaw Or Reheat The Gravy?

First, the gravy must be defrosted. It's better to leave that in the fridge overnight. It will split more readily if you try to speed up the process, particularly if there is cream or milk in the mixture. You may reheat the gravy once it has thawed.

  • In a saucepan over low heat, defrost the gravy until it's warm. Whisk the gravy continuously until it becomes smooth, flowing, and no longer chunky.
  • Depending on the kind of gravy you make, add a bit extra broth or room-temperature cream if it starts to separate.
  • Use the cooking liquids from your meat dish in place of broth.
  • Re-whisk everything, adding liquid as necessary to reach the desired consistency.