This is the Best Way to Keep Ginger Fresh (2024)

When cooking, you will find ginger in two forms: fresh and ground. Fresh ginger root is potent with a strong, biting taste, unlike the ground powder, which is milder and can be slightly sweet. The fresh version adds a unique and essential burst of flavor to many dishes.

The problem is that fresh gingerroot won't keep for more than two or three weeks at room temperature or in the refrigerator. You'll often find it has gone bad or shriveled into a lump. This is especially true if you have cut or grated any part of it. The good news is you can preserve your fresh ginger by freezing it and the process is very simple.

What You Need

To freeze fresh ginger, you'll need only a few items you probably already have in your kitchen, including a knife, freezer-safe bag or container, a marker, and the fresh ginger, of course.

How to Freeze

The simplest way to freeze ginger is to seal it tight in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. Start with the freshest ginger root that you can find. You want to choose pieces that are plump, firm, unwrinkled, and fragrant, as they will have the best flavor.

You don't have to peel or chop the ginger first, but if the piece is large, or you know you will need pieces that are a specific size for cooking, it is best to cut the ginger up into smaller sections or grate it before freezing it.

Place the pieces of ginger into bags or containers and label them with the contents, date, and amount (either by weight or the measurement by inches) so you can easily identify them later on.

Using Frozen Fresh Ginger

Depending on how you plan to use the ginger will determine whether you need to thaw it or not. If you are grating it, you can remove a piece from the freezer and peel and grate as much as you need. Since frozen ginger is easier to peel and grate than fresh, there's no need to thaw it first. Return the rest of the ginger to the freezer and make sure to wrap it up tightly.

If the recipe calls for slices of ginger, you will need to thaw it out first as it is difficult (and can be unsafe) to cut frozen ginger with a knife. If you have previously cut the ginger into pieces, defrost the piece you need before slicing.

Buying Fresh Ginger

If your usual grocery storedoesn't have the best ginger, try shopping at a specialty market where there's more demand for it. Asian and Indian markets are a good bet.

It may come as a surprise, but you can grow your own ginger. For a never-ending supplyof ginger, plant agingerroot in a small pot and keep it on the window sill. It'll send up shoots and leaves just like any other houseplant. Whenever you need ginger for a recipe, simply lift the plant, cut off a piece of the root, and return the rest to its pot. Cutting the root won't hurt the plant a bit, and as long as you keep your plant watered,you'll never run out of ginger.