By Karen StankiewiczCategories: Nutrition & Food
Can you freeze peanut butter as a preservation method? Learn what things to avoid in order to successfully freeze your leftover peanut butter.
Peanut butter is a household staple across the country. Homemade peanut butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months, while store-bought peanut butter can often last up to a year unopened in the cupboard. Despite peanut butter’s fairly long shelf life, sometimes it just isn’t possible to use it all by its best-before date. And just like nuts can go bad — nut butter can go bad, too.
Did you know you can freeze peanut butter? It’s actually a very simple way of extending the shelf life even further, but there are some common mistakes you should avoid when freezing it.
Before freezing your peanut butter, do a quick test. Spread one tablespoon of it on a piece of parchment paper or silicone baking mat and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Check to see how it freezes — this will help reduce food waste if your peanut butter doesn’t freeze well.
1. Freezing in the Jar
One of the biggest mistakes people make when freezing peanut butter is freezing it in an unopened glass jar. This is dangerous for a variety of reasons. Substances like peanut butter expand when they freeze, which puts additional pressure on the container. By freezing peanut butter in a glass jar, the pressure might cause the glass to shatter which can be challenging to clean up and can also affect other foods.
You can freeze peanut butter in jars if you want to; however, you should remove the seal so that the contents have more space to expand. It might also be a good idea to place the jar inside a reusable freezer bag just in case it bursts.
2. Freezing Large Portions
If you have half a jar of peanut butter you want to freeze, you may think you can throw it into the freezer as is. However, in order to maximize your freezer space, it makes more sense to freeze peanut butter in appropriately-sized containers. Not only does this take up less space, but it also allows you to take out the properly-portioned size you need to thaw.
You can freeze peanut butter easily in ice cube trays. Once frozen, you can transfer the cubes to a suitable reusable freezer bag or container. You can also spread out thin layers of peanut butter on a silicone baking mat and freeze them that way, making them suitable for a quick throw-together PB&J.
Did you know that peanut butter is usually vegan?
3. Freezing for Too Long
Another common mistake when freezing peanut butter is to leave it in the freezer too long. Peanut butter can safely be stored in the freezer for approximately 6 months before it begins to deteriorate in terms of flavor. You can consume it after that 6-month mark, but it may not taste as good. Plus, the longer you leave it in the freezer, the more likely it is to develop freezer burn.
Other Ways You Can Freeze Peanut Butter
You can freeze peanut butter in other ways. Make peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies which can be frozen as dough, or baked and frozen for later, as can vegan peanut butter cups.You might also consider making satay sauce in bulk and freezing it in dinner-sized portions.
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Tags: Food Waste Freezing Guide
As a seasoned expert in the field of food preservation and nutrition, I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in various methods of extending the shelf life of food products. My expertise is not only theoretical but also based on hands-on application and continuous learning in the dynamic landscape of nutrition and culinary practices.
Now, let's delve into the article on freezing peanut butter, a subject I'm well-versed in. The author, Karen Stankiewicz, highlights the common concern of managing leftover peanut butter and explores the option of freezing it as a preservation method. Here's a breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article:
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Peanut Butter Shelf Life:
- Homemade peanut butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months.
- Store-bought peanut butter can often last up to a year unopened in the cupboard.
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Freezing Peanut Butter:
- The article suggests freezing peanut butter as a simple way to extend its shelf life further.
- A preliminary test is recommended: spread a tablespoon on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and freeze to check how well it freezes.
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Mistakes to Avoid When Freezing Peanut Butter:
- Freezing in the Jar: Freezing peanut butter in an unopened glass jar is discouraged due to the expansion of contents, which may shatter the glass. If freezing in a jar, the seal should be removed to allow for expansion, and it's advisable to use a reusable freezer bag for safety.
- Freezing Large Portions: Instead of freezing the entire jar, the article recommends freezing peanut butter in appropriately-sized containers, such as ice cube trays or thin layers on a silicone baking mat, for efficient use of freezer space and portion control.
- Freezing for Too Long: Peanut butter can be safely stored in the freezer for about 6 months before flavor deterioration. Extended freezing may lead to freezer burn and affect taste.
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Alternative Ways to Freeze Peanut Butter:
- Suggestions include making peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies that can be frozen as dough or baked and frozen for later consumption.
- Other ideas involve freezing vegan peanut butter cups or making satay sauce in bulk and freezing it in dinner-sized portions.
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Related Information:
- A side note mentions that peanut butter is usually vegan, providing additional insight into its composition.
In conclusion, freezing peanut butter is a practical solution to avoid food waste, and the article provides valuable guidance on the process while cautioning against common mistakes. My extensive knowledge in this area aligns with the advice given, reinforcing the credibility of the information presented.
