Can You Freeze Cauliflower?

If you hate to waste food, especially fresh vegetables like, there are definite benefits to freezing cauliflower. You won’t have to stress over using every last bit of produce before it spoils, and you’ll always have the best ingredients on hand for these tasty cauliflower recipes.

So, can you freeze cauliflower? Absolutely. We’ll walk you through the best method for freezing cauliflower, plus give you tips for thawing and what to do with your cauli once you’re ready to cook.

When Should I Freeze Cauliflower?

It’s best to freeze cauliflower while it’s still fresh, within a week to 21 days of buying. The freshness of cauliflower can vary, so you’ll want to check the produce for brown spots or any funky smells before getting ready to freeze. If it seems off, toss it.

Don’t miss our simple trick to keeping veggies stay fresh and crisp in the fridge.

How to Freeze Cauliflower

Step 1: Cut and wash

Chop up your fresh cauliflower into nice bite-size bits, sectioning off florets from the stem with a sharp knife. Want to avoid a mess on your counter-top? Here’s expert advice for how to cut cauliflower from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself.

Next, thoroughly rinse the florets in a good-size colander in the sink, to get rid of any residual dirt. Pat dry with a clean dish or paper towel and get ready to blanch.

Step 2: Blanch

Next, fill a large saucepan with enough water to cover the cauliflower and bring to a boil. Add the florets and let boil for 1-2 minutes. Drain, then immediately place in a bowl full of ice water for 1-2 minutes. This technique is known as blanching. By boiling the fresh vegetables, you kill any bacteria and the partial cook time locks in the cauliflower’s vitamins, helping it stay (and taste!) fresh once frozen.

Drain the cauliflower and pat dry with a clean towel.

Get our guide for how to blanch and freeze any vegetable.

Step 3: Individually freeze the florets

To ensure that your cauliflower doesn’t stick together in one frozen chunk, you’ll want to first freeze the cauliflower individually. To do this, place cauliflower florets in a single layer on a waxed paper- or foil-lined baking sheet—don’t overcrowd them—and freeze for 1-2 hours.

Step 4: Freeze (again!)

You’re almost done! Transfer the frozen cauli florets to a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the use-by date and stick it back in the freezer for storage.

Cauliflower can be frozen safely for up to eight months. Learn more about freezing food of all kinds, next.

Pro tip: Label the freezer bag with the date you stored the cauliflower and a use-by date. Keep our guide for how long you can freeze foods

How to Thaw Cauliflower

Once you’re ready to use your cauliflower, the best way to defrost your vegetables is to simply use cook them from frozen in whatever recipe you’re using. Be sure to note that using frozen cauliflower may adjust the cook time of your dish by a few minutes.

Otherwise, place cauliflower in a steam basket over 1/2 boiling water. Steam for 3-5 minutes or until tender.

What to Make with Frozen Cauliflower

There are so many ways to use frozen cauliflower. Whether your taste-buds crave something exotic (think Roasted Curried Chickpeas and Cauliflower) or a homey cauliflower casserole, you’ll be happy you have cauliflower on hand. 

Get more great frozen cauliflower recipes to have on hand.

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Taste of Home

Cream of Cauliflower SoupThis mildly cheesy cauliflower soup is a favorite of mine. I make it often in summer, although it's good anytime. —Karen Brown, West Lafayette, Ohio. If you want to make a dairy-free soup, then you must try this vegan cauliflower soup.

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Cauliflower Dill KugelI enjoy cauliflower and kugel, so it made sense to combine the two into one special dish. The ricotta cheese adds a distinctive creaminess and lightness. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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Curried Vegetable SoupI created this recipe uniting my favorite spices with frozen vegetables to save time. It's easy to scale to feed a crowd. I usually prepare enough to make sure there are leftovers. For a buffet, keep this soup warm in a slow cooker and set out yogurt in a dish to let guests serve themselves. —Heather Demeritte, Scottsdale, Arizona

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Ham & Veggie CasseroleI’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

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Turkey Curry with RiceWhen I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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Taste of Home

Old Bay CauliflowerReady in 10 minutes, this bowl of veggies has three ingredients and a whole lot of flavor. It's the perfect cauliflower side dish. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington

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Garbanzo-Vegetable Green CurryMy son loves anything with coconut milk, so I always keep some on hand for weeknight meals like this one. For a milder version, I like to use red or yellow curry paste instead of green. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Christmas Cauliflower CasseroleThis creamy casserole is filled with tender cauliflower and topped with a sprinkling of crispy herb stuffing. It's become one of our favorite Christmas casseroles that appeals to both kids and adults in our family. —Carol Rex, Ocala, Florida

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Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Chicken & Vegetable Curry CouscousFor my busy family, a semi-homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve this dish with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba

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