No matter who you are or where you live, it’s a safe bet that you have at least one bottle of ketchup in the kitchen as you read this.
Whether it’s a commercial brand or your own homemade recipe, this classic condiment is suitable for a huge range of uses.
It’s the perfect accompaniment for fried food, working great on the side with fries or chicken wings. You can even experiment and use it in recipes, such as this one for sweet and sour fish.
But what happens if you’ve bought a load of ketchup on sale, and you’ve bought one too many ketchup bottles? What do you do if you just want to preserve your ketchup a bit longer?
Can you freeze ketchup? Spoiler alert – yes, you can!
Keep reading to learn how to freeze and thaw ketchup at home. I’ll explain how you can do this without compromising on quality.
Can You Freeze Ketchup?
There is much controversy on whether you can freeze ketchup and if you should. Bring up the topic around some friends or family and you can get some surprisingly strong opinions!
I’m here to tell you that yes, you can freeze ketchup! Once you start freezing ketchup, I’m sure you won’t regret it, and you’ll even ask yourself, why didn’t I freeze ketchup sooner?
Ketchup is one of the few sauces that freezes very well. Even at low temperatures, ketchup can maintain its flavor throughout, and you will enjoy it just as much when thawed.
Properly freezing and thawing ketchup is essential to get the best quality ketchup. You should freeze your ketchup as soon as possible to maintain its freshness and quality.
Now, freezing is one thing, but thawing is where the challenge comes in. As ketchup is high in water content, the consistency may get thinner when it thaws.
No worries, though – I’ve learned all the tips and tricks you can use to get the freshest thawed sauce the next time you decide to freeze and thaw ketchup.
Read on to learn more!
Why Freeze Ketchup?
Like all the other perishables we freeze, freezing ketchup will increase its shelf life tremendously! Some even say ketchup can last forever in a freezer.
Besides that, there are so many other reasons why you should freeze ketchup.
It stops food from going to waste. While the fridge is a great place to store opened ketchup, freezing it will extend its shelf life even more. This will stop you from needing to throw away your ketchup before it’s all used.
You will have ketchup for days! Freezing ketchup means that you can have as much ketchup as you want without worrying if it’s expired or not! Just freeze a large batch, and you will have ketchup available whenever you need it.
It will save you some money. You know when your supermarket has a great discount on ketchup, and you just can’t resist? What are you going to do with all this ketchup? Well, stocking up on discounted ketchup means that you can freeze them for later, and you will save money.
You will never need to go out and buy a new bottle if you’ve run out of ketchup. I know I have definitely saved a lot by purchasing ketchup on sale.
How to Freeze Ketchup
Freezing ketchup is simple and can require little to no preparation time or tools, depending on your chosen method. In this article, I’ll share two ways you can freeze your ketchup at home.
Freezing Ketchup in a Bottle
This first method is as simple as ABC. All you have to do is put your whole bottle of ketchup in the fridge. Even better if it is unopened and new!
But before you go ahead and freeze your whole bottle of ketchup, here are some things you should do and take note of:
If your ketchup came in a plastic bottle, you would be fine storing it in the freezer as is. The plastic bottle can withstand the cold temperature and will less likely get damaged and crack. Because of ketchup’s high water content, the plastic will expand when it freezes.
Ketchup in glass bottles, on the other hand, should generally not be stored in the freezer. While some glass bottles and containers are freezer-safe, the glass bottles that ketchup is sold in usually aren’t. If the glass is not freezer-safe, it may crack, creating a mess in your freezer.
If your ketchup came in a glass bottle, I recommend that you transfer it to freezer-safe bottles or containers before freezing.
Alternatively, you can also portion your ketchup and freeze individual portions with the method below.
Freezing Portions of Ketchup
My favorite method of freezing ketchup is freezing it in portions. Not only does this make thawing frozen ketchup so much easier, but you can also choose to thaw just what you need! This makes it perfect for single servings any occasion where you just need ketchup.
You can portion and freeze your ketchup either in small containers or bags. But, I’ve found that the best method for freezing portions of ketchup would be in ice-trays or silicon molds. Just as you would make ice cubes, here’s how how you can freeze ketchup:
Pick a suitable ice-tray or silicon mold. To freeze your ketchup, find an appropriate mold or ice-tray to freeze and give it a good clean.
Fill the tray up with ketchup. Squeeze and portion equal amounts of ketchup into your trays or molds. Give your tray a good shake or tap on your counter to fill up any gaps and level out the ketchup.
Freeze ketchup for 2 hours or until it is frozen. Carefully place your tray into the freezer and let it set and freeze for as long as it needs.
Store frozen portions in a bag. Once frozen, gently remove your ketchup portions from the trays and store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Seal your bags or container tight and pop it into the freezer.
Remember to label your frozen ketchup with the date and contents – this will help you to quickly tell how long it’s been frozen. Perfect if you’re forgetful like me!
Tips for Freezing Ketchup
- It’s best to freeze ketchup in the bottle if it is unopened and new. Opened and half-filled bottles should be portioned out instead. This will not only save space in your freezer but also save time when thawing.
- Store your ketchup portions in clear freezer-safe bags. While containers are also a great option, bags will save you a lot of space. You can also easily see what’s inside the bag without having to dig through and open every container just to find what you need.
How to Thaw Frozen Ketchup
Thawing ketchup is just as easy as freezing it. To thaw ketchup, simply remove the frozen ketchup from the freezer and allow it to defrost at room temperature or in your fridge.
Thawing frozen ketchup can take up to an hour to two hours. Thawing whole bottles of ketchup will take longer than individual portions.
Once your frozen ketchup is thawed, the consistency may change to be slightly watery or runny. Sometimes, you may also find that the ingredients separate.
Before you think your thawed ketchup has gone bad, separating and watery consistency is usually normal. Ketchup is high in water content; therefore when it defrosts, the sauce will usually be slightly runnier than before.
The good news is that a good stirring or shaking of the bottle can help to recombine your ketchup and bring it back to its normal consistency.
Tips for Thawing Ketchup
- Use a plate to thaw ketchup bottles. We all know the water puddles that come with thawing. Ketchup bottles are no exception. Place your bottle on a shallow plate or bowl to collect all the condensation when defrosting.
- Add some tomato paste or sauce. If your thawed ketchup’s taste or texture is not up to your satisfaction, add some tomato paste or sauce! This will give it some extra flavor and thickness.
- You can pop frozen ketchup portions into your recipes! Some recipes may call for a tablespoon of ketchup, or maybe your dish just needs a pinch of tomato tang.
How Long Does Ketchup Last in the Freezer?
Among all the foods and sauces, ketchup will generally last much longer. It usually does not contain any dairy and often includes preservatives.
With that said, properly storing your ketchup in clean containers or trays when freezing is essential to maintain it at its best quality.
While there is no definite time of how long ketchup can last in the freezer, ketchup can last a good 1-2 years in the freezer at its optimal quality. After that, the ketchup’s quality may decline, but it should still be okay to eat.
If your ketchup has been in the freezer for a very long time, be sure to look out for signs that your it’s gone bad after you thaw it.
How to Tell if Ketchup Has Gone Bad
So we know that ketchup can last for a long time. Unfortunately, like any food, it will eventually go bad too. And trust me, I’ve had to learn this the hard way.
Here are some signs you can look for to tell if your ketchup has gone bad:
If your ketchup starts to become thicker and separates over time, this is a sign it may have gone bad. Sometimes, it may still be good to eat. But, if you’ve tried shaking it up to combine the ingredients and it still separates, it’s best to throw it away!
Next, do a quick sniff test. If it smells like anything other than tomato ketchup, then it has probably gone bad. A foul or moldy smell is also a clear sign that it is spoiled too.
The easiest step is to have a look at the color of your ketchup. Bad ketchup usually turns maroon or brown. So if it does not hold its fresh red color, I’d say it’s best to discard it.
Your ketchup might smell and look fine, but the ultimate sign that your ketchup has gone bad is if it tastes sour or gone-off. If it doesn’t taste like ketchup anymore, it’s better to be safe and stop eating it. Before dropping it into a recipe of covering your fries with it, taste a small amount to check if it’s ok.
If your ketchup does not exhibit any of these signs, it’s probably safe to eat – enjoy!