Rice noodles are a great accompaniment to any dish but can you freeze fresh rice noodles?
What happens when you have leftovers?
In this blog post, we will discuss how to freeze fresh rice noodles properly to stay fresh and retain their flavor.
Fresh rice noodles can be frozen. However, uncooked noodles stay fresher than cooked noodles, particularly when frozen. Just ensure you put the rice noodles in an airtight container or a freezer bag before freezing.
Can You Freeze Fresh Rice Noodles?
Leftover rice noodles can be stored in the fridge for three days. If you want to keep them for longer, freezing is your best option.
When freezing rice noodles, it’s important to do so properly to retain their flavor and freshness.
Here are some tips on how to freeze fresh rice noodles:
1. Blanching Rice Noodles
The first step is to blanch your rice noodles. This process helps to preserve their color, flavor, and texture.
To blanch rice noodles, boil them for two minutes, remove them from the heat and rinse with cold water.
After being rinsed, drain any excess water, and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Cooling Rice Noodles
This initial step is also the most crucial. Before putting your rice noodles in the freezer, set them aside to cool fully.
Note: Rice Noodles will turn into a mushy mass if frozen while still warm.
You’ll probably need to wait 1-2 hours for your rice noodles to cool entirely.
However, if you’re in a hurry, you can place the rice noodles in a colander and rinse them with cold water. This will help them to cool down faster.
3. Packaging
After it has cooled, continue to the next packing stages:
Portioning
Before you freeze the rice noodles, you must first figure out how much you will eat.
If you are not going to eat the full package of rice noodles, split it into parts and freeze them.
You’ll only eat a little amount at a time if you divide them before freezing.
This enables you to remove just what you need, and you won’t have to worry about having leftovers that need to be frozen in the future.
Wrapping
Wrap the rice noodles in plastic wrap if desired. Then, cover it in another layer of plastic wrap for further protection.
Ensure that all of the rice noodles have been coated.
After wrapping the rice noodles, place them in a freezer bag. Make sure the freezer bag is large enough to accommodate the rice noodles.
Note: Then, just before sealing the bag, press it to get rid of any excess air.
Containers
If you bought rice noodles at the store, they would be perfectly packaged, and you would not have to do anything with them.
However, whether you have leftover rice noodles from a restaurant or not, you need to take extra steps to ensure that they are properly preserved.
Place your rice noodles in an airtight freezer container. This ensures that germs have a little space to grow.
While opening and closing your freezer and avoiding freezer burn.
4. Refrigerate
Remove rice noodles from their wrappers and place them in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, or until they are completely cold.
This will help in the setting of the rice noodles and the assurance that they will freeze correctly.
5. Label and Freeze
Once your rice noodles are packaged, label them with the date. This will help you track how long they’ve been in the freezer.
Rice noodles can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.
Here are tips to keep in mind while freezing fresh noodles for the best results:
1. Rice noodles should be separated from the rest of the food
Avoid placing rice noodles near strong aromas, such as dairy products, because the flavor of these products will be carried through to the final product.
Preventing strong odors from entering the freezer is essential before placing anything in the freezer.
2. Check the Temperature
Before freezing your rice noodles, check to see that the temperature in the freezer has not fluctuated. This will help protect it from getting rotten or misshapen in the future.
3. Ensure the noodles are cooked all the way through
You don’t want to freeze undercooked noodles because they will continue cooking and become mushy when thawed.
4. Drain the noodles well and rinse with cold water
This will help stop the cooking process and prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Let the noodles cool completely before freezing: This will help them retain their shape and texture.
Freeze the noodles in individual portions: This will make it easier to thaw and use only what you need.
How to Defrost Rice Noodles
When defrosting rice noodles, you must be very cautious not to expose them to temperatures that may favor bacterial development, which might lead to food-borne diseases.
Here are several methods for defrosting frozen rice noodles.
Refrigerate
To defrost the rice noodles, place the containers directly from the freezer in the refrigerator.
Allow the frozen rice noodles to defrost in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours throughout the day.
Tip: When the rice noodles have fully thawed in the fridge, they will be ready to use. Only take out the amount you'll need to reheat since once the rice noodles are reheated, they can't be put back in the fridge; they have to be eaten right away.
Microwave
Because it is rapid and effective, the microwave is a wonderful alternative for defrosting rice noodles.
Place the rice noodles on a microwave-safe dish and heat for 30 seconds.
Take the dish out of the microwave and stir the noodles. Return the dish to the microwave for another 30 seconds.
If necessary, repeat this process until the rice noodles are thawed.
Skillet
If you don’t have a microwave or prefer not to use one, you can defrost rice noodles in a skillet.
Place the frozen rice noodles in a cold skillet and turn the heat to medium-low.
Tip: Cook the noodles for two to three minutes, frequently stirring, until they are thawed.
Boiling Water
Another stovetop method for defrosting rice noodles is to submerge them in boiling water.
This method works best if the noodles are still partially frozen and clumped together.
Break up the noodles with your hands and add them to a pot of boiling water. Cook for one minute or until thawed.
Drain the noodles in a colander and rinse with cold water.
Rice Noodles FAQs
Do you have any other questions on can you freeze fresh flat rice noodles?
Here are some commonly asked rice noodles questions.
Can Rice Noodles be Refrozen?
Yes, rice noodles can be refrozen after they have been cooked. Place the cooked noodles in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for two months.
When you are ready to eat them, reheat the noodles in a pot of boiling water or the microwave.
Do Rice Noodles Need to be Cooked before Freezing?
No, rice noodles do not need to be cooked before freezing. Simply place the uncooked noodles in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to two months.
When you are ready to cook them, simply boil the noodles in a pot of water for three to five minutes or until they are cooked through.
How Do I Store Fresh Rice Noodles?
Fresh rice noodles can be stored in a cool, dry place for two days. If you are not using the noodles within that time frame, they can be stored in the refrigerator for one week.
When ready to use them, simply cook the noodles according to your recipe instructions.
Final Verdict
So, can you freeze fresh rice noodles? Yes, you can. Freezing them is an excellent approach to increase their shelf life.
Just be sure to completely defrost them before cooking. Take pleasure in your own frozen rice noodles.